We live in a world that is constantly changing it’s mind about what is considered beautiful or acceptable. It is all about what is hot at the moment, and it is completely subjective to each person. The media of course tries to define beauty and put a label on everything, and sadly often succeeds when they Photoshop just about every picture of a celebrity and label average sized women as plus sized.
It is easy to get caught up in trying to fit societies’ idea of what makes up a beautiful person, so that you can be confident in yourself. I am not saying that being healthy and fit is a bad thing at all! What I am saying is that you can place your confidence in such a more loving and consistent place.
When you are thinking that you aren’t skinny enough, or smart enough, or fit enough, or outgoing enough, hear me when I say that YOU ARE ENOUGH. We are created in God’s image! That is an awesome thing to be able to say! He looked at the world and thought that it needed someone like you. The creator of the universe knew you and loved you as His child before you even came into the world. Psalm 119:13-14 says “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” God knows you better than anyone. He knows your thoughts, your desires, your actions, and everything in between. He loves us as His child, and when we mess up, he welcomes us with open arms. The cool thing about following Jesus is that it has nothing to do with being perfect. Jesus looks at us and our secrets and all of our mess ups and just wants us to give it all to Him.
If you are constantly looking for confidence in the people around you or in the magazines, you will never be satisfied. People always fail, and not every person you meet will like you. That is life. You cannot put your self-worth in the opinions of those people. God is the only solid rock that we can stand on, and in his eyes, we are sinners covered by the grace of Jesus. He says in Romans 8:37 that “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” What more confidence do we need? No one and nothing can defeat the God who stands behind you. Walk through your campus, community, or workplace knowing that through God you can conquer anything!
I have always struggled with self-confidence and being a dancer, it was always pretty obvious when I had to go up against other amazingly talented people for auditions. I think growing up I was kind of the underdog on my dance teams, and I felt that way for a very long time. I just didn’t see myself as someone who people would say ‘wow!’ about. College has done wonders for me. Something about living on your own and having to hold yourself accountable faith wise, and just in everything you do, has made me so much more confident in myself. I know that God placed me exactly where I am supposed to be, and I think he is most definitely using me on my campus. The thought that God can use me like that just made me see myself in a whole new light, because I can change things! I heard a sermon the other day, and the pastor said “Who did Jesus save you for?” Jesus doesn’t save one person and want it to stop there. He makes disciples, who make disciples, who make disciples. Jesus saves us and puts us where we are so that others around us can see Jesus through us and eventually get to know our awesome God! Out of all the people he could choose to be that light in your community, he chooses you! That is so dang cool. Find confidence in that! You may have outside influences that make you think that you are not enough in the world’s eyes, but in God’s eyes, you are a beautiful person worth sending His son to die on the cross for, and someone that he can use to make a difference. There is so much more to confidence than fitting in to the crowd. Be bold in standing out, and be confident in the one who made you the beautiful person that you are.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?”
Psalm 27:1
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13
"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."
Proverbs 31:25
