August 13th
I spent the better part of my life conforming myself to the world's image of beauty. I was determined to attain a perfect body. My quest consumed me; I was willing to sacrifice both health and relationships to reach this ideal.
Finally there came a point where the price was too high! My body was breaking down; sometimes my heart pounded so hard that I thought it would jump right out of my chest. My relationships, like my body, were also breaking down; I was overwhelmed with loneliness.
The world tells me that beauty is on the outside, but have you noticed how the standard for beauty changes from year to year? God looks at my inner beaty, and what he desires does not change. In his eyes, I am a beautiful part of his creation.
How can I be transformed instead of conformed to this world? The change comes from renewing my mind. In today's lingo, I must change my "self-talk." When I look in a mirror, I no longer say,
"I'm fat and ugly!"
Instead I say, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" (Ps. 138:14). When I make a mistake. If God loves me, cellulite and all, who am I to say he's wrong?