Beautiful in Christ. . . for free

So there is a new show debuting tonight called "The Price of Beauty." Jessica Simpson apparently travels all around the world to find out what makes women feel beautiful in different cultures. From the preview on last night it also seems like she talks to some young girls who struggle on very deep levels with not feeling beautiful at all. . .

And it made me sad. Because there is nothing that she can tell these girls that will ultimately help them to feel secure and comfortable in their own skin. I am sorry, but no amount of positive self-talk or encouragement makes a girl who feels ugly suddenly release her fears and insecurities. I know that this is one of Satan's greatest weapons against us, girls. He makes us feel so insignificant; so very far from the ideals that are placed upon us.

And in doing so, he drives a wedge between us and God. We become so consumed with our outer appearance (and how people perceive us) that we completely lose sight of who we are in Christ. We forget that it was our Maker and Savior who created us this way in the first place. . .

It might be interesting to watch the show and see what advice Jessica (and the panel of 'experts' that I'm sure she'll have surrounding her) gives to these young women. I wish I could be there to tell them about Jesus.

But at least I can tell you. Every one of you reading this has to know that there is so much more to life than what others think of us! Beauty is defined by our Creator, not by created beings who develop hierarchies to ensure their status.

We have to believe that Jesus is enough, and we have to know that His love covers every insecurity and fear we might ever feel. If you put your hope in the opinions of others you will end up disappointed and discouraged every time. But there is One in Whom you can place all of your hope and never be disappointed. There is One who will never leave you feeling insignificant. . .

Psalm 146

Praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.

I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.

When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,

the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.

He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,

the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.

The LORD watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

The LORD reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD.