What do you see when you look in the mirror?
When I look in the mirror, my flaws seem to jump out and yell, “Fix Me!”
Psalm 139:14 says:
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Wouldn’t it be nice to know full well that you are wonderfully made?
Each of my children went through a stage where their curiosity led them to ask me why I have “scratches” on my stomach. I’ve earned the scars of growing four human beings. These battle wounds serve as a reminder that after 6 years of infertility, I was blessed with the gift of motherhood.
But over the years, it has gotten harder to appreciate them as marks of motherhood.
“Mommy did you have four babies and then your tummy exploded?”
My youngest often reaches up and squishes my tummy like it’s her own, personal play-dough. There are times when I just wish I could cut off the muffin top and have a tight tummy profile and be able to wear a bikini. There have been times where I have obsessed over it and even contemplated surgery.
Yet in these moments, I’m sometimes taken aback by the fact that my children think it’s just a part of who I am. My five-year old tells me repeatedly throughout the day, “Mommy, I love you! You’re beautiful!” She tells me in the morning when I just get out of bed and have no make up on and messy hair.
No matter how you feel about yourself, God thinks you are beautiful. Share on X
God thinks you’re beautiful because He loves you!
When I asked Meghan why she tells me I’m beautiful, her answer was simple yet profound, “Because I love you.”
1 John 3:16 says that Jesus loves you so much that he laid down his life for you!
God thinks you’re beautiful because of who you are to him. You are His child.
My mommy! My daddy! Does your child ever possessively announce that you are “his/her” mommy/daddy? Isn’t it because of who you are to them and how you love and take care of them?
When I remember that I am loved by God and my family because of who I am to them, I tend to worry less about my reflection and focus more on my character.
God thinks you’re beautiful because he created you!
My children all love to hear their birth story. I love recalling the day they were born and the sheer joy I felt. The long hours of labor and the seemingly endless months of pregnancy were forgotten once I reached for them and pulled them up to my chest.
Children who were chosen through foster care and adoption love to hear about the intentional love of their parents who went to great lengths, some traveling many miles and waiting many years just to pick them to be their very own child.
God formed man from the dust and personally breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. Genesis 2:7
God was intentional when he made you. He picked you to be his own.
He created you in his image.
When someone says our child looks like us we feel a sense of pride because it shows that our child belongs to us.
So God created mankind in his own image. Genesis 1:27
True beauty comes in the pursuit to reflect the image of Christ in our lives. Share on X
And clothe yourself with the new nature, which was created according to God’s image in righteousness and true holiness. Ephesians 4:24
But what are we supposed to do when our outer beauty is fleeting?
The Bible tells us not to lose heart…
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. 2 Corinthians 4:16
When I look in the mirror, I want to fix my eyes and mind on how God sees me. Share on X
I want to be able to improve my flaws to the extent that I can and then move on without obsessing over them and letting them get me down.
I pray that you would be able to look in the mirror and know full well that you are a wonderful masterpiece created by God. He loves you!
How about you? Do you ever struggle with the way you feel about yourself?
This article was included in a compilation of encouraging posts on Kelly Balarie’s blog. Please visit her site to discover some wonderful writers that will bless you with their encouraging words today!
https://purposefulfaith.com/encouraging-words/
Hello there! I'm Valerie, a mom of four and wife of 27 years. My writing inspires others to cultivate courageous faith and find solace in trusting God, especially in moments of fear and uncertainty. Join me on this adventure as we explore the beauty of trusting God when we are afraid. 
Thank you Valarie! I know this was blogged in 2017 but even now in 2019 it is still a very powerful message! This hit home for me today! I am a work in progress.
2 Corinthians 4:16, Really touched my heart deeply. Thank you for the word & allowing God to use your children to help you see your beauty. Reading your interaction with your children really helped me to realize that God made me in his image and I am always beautiful inside and out. Blessings!
Pamela, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! This is still one of my favorite posts because sometimes I need to go back and remind myself where true beauty comes from. In an age where we are encouraged to “look our best” it can often feel like it would take half the day, and empty our wallets to get to that point. I’m so glad that even though our outward beauty ages, our inner beauty is renewed every day. Blessings!
Excellent post, Valerie! It is such a battle to defeat the lies we have come to believe about ourselves. I have also learned that when I say or think bad things about my body, it hurts my husband and my kids – because they love me. And, so, it must also hurt God when we look at ourselves in such a negative light. Thanks for sharing on Grace and Truth.
I agree, Aimee. When we think negatively about ourselves we are thinking negatively about God’s work in making us just as we are.
Hey there, Valerie! What beautiful encouragement here. This made me laugh, because my teen daughter always says, “Mom, you’re beautiful.” Even with hair graying, smile lines on my face, and my own personal muffin top. 🙂 I love this message about pursuing Christ-likeness. That’s how we grow more beautiful with the years. Step by step. Pinning and tweeting today!
Awe, that’s so sweet that your teen tells you you’re beautiful! Sounds like you have a close relationship. Thank you so much for sharing Betsy!
The honesty you share here is inspiring Valerie. I will admit that I have struggled with how I see myself for most of my life. However, knowing who I am in Christ has changed that dramatically the past few years. Thank you for the beautiful reminders from God’s word. I remind myself that God created me just the way I am. It is my responsibility to take care of His temple both physically and spiritually so I can serve Him effectively. Sounds like your children are blessed by the love you have for them. I hope you have a fantastic weekend and may God bless you and yours in all your endeavors.
Hi Horace, Yes, this was a very vulnerable post for me to share but I hope it will help others to see how loved they are by God. I always appreciate your visits and kind words. Have a blessed day!
I believe we all struggle at times. I know I do but I also believe it’s important to remind myself, “I am a daughter of the King!” Thank you for sharing!
That’s a great reminder of our worth to remember that we are a daughter of the King! I love that!
I think we all do from time to time struggle with what we see in the mirror. Knowing our God loves us know matter what makes each person BEAUTIFUL for sure!
This is beautifully written!
Thanks for linking up with The Alder Collective! Your post has been pinned to our group board. We hope you’ll join us again tomorrow at 8 pm EST!
What a great post, Valerie! I really appreciate your honesty and your sensitivity! From all of these comments, it looks like you have touched on a real nerve with women!
I know I have those moments and those days when I don’t like some aspect of my person. On those days, I have to remind myself of how much God loves me!
Love this line from your post, “When I remember that I am loved by God and my family because of who I am to them, I tend to worry less about my reflection and focus more on my character.”
I found your post on Alder Collective today.
Hope you have a blessed day~
Melanie
So sweet of you Melanie! Thank you for your friendship! Have a blessed day!
This post was powerful! Beautifully written and the words can truly heal someones spirit! I’m bookmarking this because this is awesome.
Thank you so much for your kind words! Thank you for linking up with 100 Happy Days too. I can’t wait to read your posts1
A great and encouraging post….to know what’s really important and how God views us! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Christine!
I love this “When I look in the mirror, I want to fix my eyes and mind on how God sees me. I want to be able to improve my flaws to the extent that I can and then move on without obsessing over them and letting them get me down.”
Thank you Sheryl!
My fiance and boyfriend of six years just recently broke up with me over some unresolved things that he did not open up to me and in the process, he is now being very critical and attacking me verbally as I try to work on my spirituality. He recently told a common acquaintance that he wonders where I get the confidence that a guy would be interested in me. That hurt a lot but I am going to focus on God and meditate on His words. Until I believe in my heart that I am beautiful the way God made me to be..
Abby,
I’m so sorry for the hurtful things your boyfriend told you. I’m glad you are looking to God for your confidence and strength. I pray the Lord brings someone into your life who will speak life into you and encourage you in your walk with the Lord. Stay strong and keep focusing on the truth of God. You are beautiful.
That is such a hard truth to accept and believe!
Agreed, it is definitely a difficult truth to truly believe. God knows our struggle and he is continually there to remind us of who we are in Him.
Hard yet practical advice. We all need to come back to this way of thinking over and over again in our lives. Its much easier to be hard on ourselves and appearance unfortunately. Visiting from Words with Winter this morning! 🙂
Hi Anastasia, Yes, it is not easy to believe the truth of who we are. I know I am constantly reminding myself! Thank you for visiting!
Thanks for this reminder. I am often very critical of myself. I wish I could see myself with God’s eyes.
We can be so hard on ourselves! I pray that we can learn to know full well that we are wonderful works of God.
Its so funny how our kids can point out all our blemishes yet love us so much and truly despite what we look like. I certainly have insecurities about my looks but am so thankful that I know my worth and beauty in Gods sight. I want to not only see myself as he sees me but others as well. Thanks for sharing this encouraging post! Linking up with you at #wordswithwinter
I’m so glad you stopped by Rebekah! Thank you for your kind comment.
Beautiful post! Such a wonderful reminder of how much God loves us unconditionally & that can reflect in the genuine love that our children give to us. I love this! (Coming over from Small Victories Sunday Linkup)
Thank you for your encouraging comment Tiffani! I’m so glad you stopped by!
Such a beautiful post. I love the musing over how God intentionally chose and created us to how we love our own children. Very encouraging!
Thank you so much Gina! I’m so glad you were encouraged.
God created us in His image. He loves us dearly. There’s nothing we can do to make God love us more. There’s nothing we can do to make God love us less. Great post and reminders!
That’s so true Jonathan! I’m so grateful that God loves us no matter what!
Amen!!! So thankful that we are made beautiful in HIS image
Yes, Caroline….Amen!
I’m so happy to read that you’re speaking out on this topic!! It’s one that’s both personal and a mission of mine in ministry. In a couple of months I’m facilitating a workshop about the gift of God’s image and I’m so excited!! Great job today and speak it lady!!
Wow, thank you Meg. I’m so glad that you are speaking out on this topic as well. I also think your blog is great (I just checked it out) and that you are helping women in abusive relationships. That is awesome!
Beautifully written! Psalm 139 is my absolute favorite Psalm!! What great encouragement to know that we are all beautiful in His sight!
Cathy
I’m so glad that you were encouraged Cathy! Thank you for your kind comment.
I think you are correct in that we all struggle with appearance–especially as a teenager, and again with our mommy bodies. However, it is indeed so comforting that the Creator of all the universe who could have made me super skinny and beautiful to please myself, actually made me with all of what I can consider to be my flaws because that was what is pleasing to Him. Yes, that is comforting. Thank you for your encouragement this morning.
Blessings,
Beautiful words Deborah! Thank you for your thoughtful comment. Have a blessed day.
Beautiful post! Very encouraging and full of truth. Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you Kelly!
Thank you for this post. I am disabled and struggle with feeling beautiful. I know we are not to compare ourselves with others but sometimes that is hard too. God bless you!
Thank you for sharing Dawn. It’s so hard when we don’t like what we see in the mirror. But I pray that we could see ourselves through God’s eyes and soak in His love for us. Jesus loves you!
Yes, my post baby belly sometimes gets the best of me, and I get discouraged because of how clothes look and fit. Thank you for the reminder to keep focused on the Lord and building a godly character!
Thank you for stopping by Emily! God bless you!
Beautiful words! I think most of us has struggled with this at some time or another. I know that I have, especially when I was a teenager. I’ve learned to mostly overlook my “flaws” since I’m now older. 🙂
Thank you Hillesha,
I know what you mean. It seems to be getting a little easier to look past my flaws as I’m getting older. Thank you for stopping by.
Yes, I continue to struggle with outer appearances too even though I feel shallow in doing so. But as I age, I don’t like what I see. I know God sees beauty though! I’m grateful for that. Thanks for the encouragement.
I know what you mean Lisa. Thank you for commenting.
Yes, I’ve struggled — still do sometimes. Medicine keeps me “fluffy” and it is discouraging. I’m thankful my Heavenly Father sees my heart — that I want to keep cleansed and shining!
A heart that’s cleansed and shining–I like that. Thank you for sharing Pamela.
Very well said. Your words resonate with me so much. I actually wrote something similar a while ago: https://melanieblignaut.wordpress.com/2015/08/11/i-am-a-woman-i-am-beautiful/
Hi Melanie, Thank you! I look forward to reading your post!
Great post Valerie! Very encouraging.
Thank you Rosie!
In a culture which is so focused on physical appearence, this speaks volumes to Christian women. I loved the part about being beautiful because “I love You”. Thanks for writing such a special message.
I’m so glad it encouraged you. Our culture is so focused on outward appearance that sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in it all. Thank you for your kind words.
Thank you SO much for this encouragement Valerie 🙂 I look in the mirror every day and see my flaws magnified beyond the beauty that God sees. I need to start looking in the mirror through God’s eyes!
Thank you Sarah! I agree, wouldn’t it be great if we saw what God sees when we look at our reflection?
Love this post so much. I’ve struggled with what I see in the mirror so many times – heck, I’m a woman! It is nice to be reminded of what God thinks of us.
Thank you Ashley, I’m glad you liked it. i have to remind myself as well.
this is a great post. like many of our children who say “aww mom, you are my mom, you are supposed to think I’m beautiful” we come to the Lord and say – aww Lord, you are my Father and you are supposed to think I’m beautiful but we forget – He LOVED us and thought we were Beautiful in our worst state ever! Before we were HIS, before He was our Father.
We need to get a hold of this…
thanks for this.
@spreadingJOY
Marie
Yes, Marie well said. I’m so glad that we are HIS! Thank you for your comment.
I know when I first look in the mirror, my eyes jump to the bag right beneath them, the dots on my forehead, and the places where my stomach is no longer flat. It’s hard not to criticize, but this is a wonderful reminder and something I’ll try to tell myself when I look in the mirror.
Valerie,
Such TRUTH! I struggle to see what God sees as beautiful! I see inside the few extra pounds, the wrinkles forming around my eyes, and the gradual descent of all my body parts! These last few years in my mid-40s have brought me to the point of really grappling with this! I know He loves me and I know all that is happening and they are beautiful battle wounds!!!Thank you for the reminder and encouragement!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Thank you for your kind words Lori. I understand that battle. I am in my mid-40s too and the aging process is evident. Our culture tells us we should look young and hide the marks of aging. Proverbs 16:31 says that “Gray hair is a crown of splendor, it is attained in the way of righteousness.” I will still color my grey hair lol, but I hope I will see it more as “a crown of splendor.” Many blessings to you!
It’s so funny that I’m reading this today. Just this weekend I was reminded that I need to focus more on knowing how much God loves me, instead of wasting so much energy on trying to prove my love to Him.
Marissa
My son is learning how to talk right now. It melts my heart when he says ” wuv you mommy” and gives me a big kiss. How much more does God’s heart melt when we cry out to Abba Father? Wonderful post!
I struggle almost every day with the way I look. Thank you for the reminder that God loves us no how we look.
It’s so easy to focus on our flaws. I understand the struggle. I pray that we can believe the truth of our worth in Christ. Have a blessed day Marj!
My mommy! My daddy! Indeed we LOVE to hear those words of love. As does He! This is beautiful, Valerie. Hugs. Susan
“As does He,” Amen to that! I’m so glad you stopped by. I can’t wait to read your post. I also want to order your book! It’s an honor to meet you in CBB!
Beautiful words, Valerie! I love,”True beauty comes in the pursuit to reflect the image of Christ in our lives.” I spent so many years critical of every aspect of my being. I constantly felt “not enough.” How freeing to recognize and believe that true beauty has nothing to do with outward things – it is in reflecting the image of the One who created me! Blessings to you!
Lisa Murray
Thank you Lisa! Yes, isn’t it freeing to remember that our true beauty is adorned in reflecting the Lord? I need to remind myself of this when I start being critical of my outward appearance. Thank you for your kind words!
This is such a lovely and encouraging post. Thank you for sharing.
I’m so glad it encouraged you Jenny. Thank you for your comment.