Growing up, my parents always told me I was beautiful, and I would always reply, "You're my parents... You have to say that."

I've always been a heavier girl, and I always thought if I lost weight, maybe I would get a boyfriend. I always thought my beauty was in the eyes of others. It took a long time for me to realize I was made in God's imagine, and that alone makes me beautiful.

"So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God, He created them; male and female, He created." - Genesis 1:27

In societies eyes, unless you're a size zero, tall, blonde, or look like a Kardashian, you aren't beautiful. But why? God's word leads us to discover what our individual meanings of beauty truly are and should be.

Beauty should be what's inside. Your heart is what makes you beautiful.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornments, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." - 1 Peter 3:3-4

Our hearts are what should show the world our worth and beauty; for in Ezekiel 28, it says, "Your heart became proud on account of your beauty."

The Bible tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made. It also tells us in Songs of Songs 4:7, "You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you."

In the Bible, God tells us over and over again we are beautiful. In Proverbs 3, it even tells us we are more precious than rubies. Once you realize you are beautiful, it's society that is ugly because God created you in a beautiful image... in His image.

"You are a Child of God. You are wonderfully made, dearly loved, and precious in His sight. Before God made you, He knew you. There is no one else like you!" - Psalm 139