The Battle For Beauty

Beauty. Everyone is searching for it, and each person's opinion of it is different. No matter the definition, the simple fact remains: We are all drawn to beauty, and we most especially hope to find it in ourselves. As women, feeling beautiful is something we all long for. We fight for it with our diets and hair dye, our mascara and tanning lotion. We dress ourselves up in flashy clothes and jewelry hoping to attract someone's eye. We spend hours in front of mirrors staring at our imperfections wishing they would disappear, all the while hoping Prince Charming will ride in and tell us that we are already good enough. That we are stunningly, awe-strikingly beautiful.

Then we snap out of the daydream and tell ourselves, "Listen here, girl. You're ordinary. Nothing like that will ever happen to you." Why do we do this to ourselves? Why is it so difficult for us to believe that we are beautiful and loved? The world around us is constantly pumping into our brains that we aren't good enough, that if we just owned this or changed that THEN we would finally be beautiful. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has realized trying to find your worth this way just leaves you (and your wallet) empty and heartbroken. Some of us have been through a lot of hurt: broken families, abusive relationships and relentless bullies. Others of us have simply been worn down by the daily struggles of low self-esteem, loneliness and abandonment. These things change the way we view ourselves, even though we know deep inside that they shouldn't affect us.

Today is the day to give these life events a good hard kick and let healing take over. You are beautiful whether you believe it or not, and you don't have to change a thing. You were created for greatness and to be a light in a dark world. All around you a war is being fought for true beauty. Are you willing to take the hand of God, let Him flood your heart and show you your worth? Are you ready to join in the fight?

Today -- Take a look at the woman in the mirror. Smile. Tell her that she is beautiful and loved. Let God's healing wash over you. Trust in His love and mercy.