“You need some meat on those bones.” “You could lose a couple of pounds.”

“You’re too dark. “You’re too light.” “You’re too this.” “You’re too that.”

We hear these messages. We may have said them. We see images that reinforce some standards of beauty and condemn others. We may reinforce these messages and images ourselves. Thankfully, progress has been made. There are more diverse images of beauty now more than there were before that say I see you. I see you with your big hips. I see you with no hips. I see you with your chocolate skin. I see you with your freckles. I see you with your curly 3B hair. I see you with no hair.

With all of the progress there is,

…and with all of the gains in authentic representation we see

…and with all of the access to products and services that are more accommodating of the range of diversity of humanity.

…do we actually believe we are the treasure that we are? Do you believe you are valuable, worthy, and enough? Have you internalized it? How does it show up in your life?

Insecurities know no size, skin color, hair texture, or height. They know people’s minds, weaknesses, heartaches, and pains. They can creep up even and talk through how we treat others, approach situations, and what we tolerate ourselves. If you let them, insecurities can rob you of many things – your peace, healthy relationships, and even your ability to see how valuable you are because you’re so caught up in someone else’s.

There are different opinions out there, but I believe true beauty (for the fellas, we’ll call it swag ) starts on the inside and can show up on the outside.There are times when you can do something on the outside (like a new haircut, workout regimen, a new lipstick) to spark something on the inside.

Sometimes we need to dig a little deeper and recall how the One who made us feels about us, what He thinks about, and how we should carry on accordingly.

In the book of Psalm, God reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. He formed us, knitted us, and fashioned us just the way he wanted. Every curve, dimple, and line was a part of God’s divine design. He loves every part of you and had great intentions in mind when he made you. Guess what? He still has good intentions for you.

For the Ladies

In Proverbs, he tells us that we are to pursue noble character. The Proverbs 31 lady was productive and profitable. She was an inner beauty, demonstrated through her passion for taking care of her household, was completed by wisdom in decision-making. (Read Proverbs 31: 10 – 31 for the full description.) Talk about standards. Her example is a high standard to live up to, but God would not have given us one of many examples if he did not think we could do it. You may be no where she is. You may be working on becoming virtuous and capable. That’s okay and it’s good. What’s important is that you’re actively becoming.

He tells us a little bit more, in the book of 1 Peter. God reminds us to clothe ourselves with the beauty that comes from within. “Cultivate inner beauty the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in.” Gentleness is not be confused with timidity, but rather a reminder that you can draw more bees with honey than with vinegar.

Titus 2 tells us, “teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.[a] Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,[b] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.” From young to old, he sets the standard.

For the Gents

Fellas, we were included in these standards God set. (It all started with you all.) Again, in Titus 2, God speaks. “Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.” He continues,  “In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.”

Given just these standards, there is a lot that men and women can learn from each other. It requires some patience, a lot of love, and respect. It’s in that learning that insecurities can be healed and the actual treasure that we are can show up as it should.

Maybe some things need to be sorted out before you have the space to begin that learning. Maybe some healing from experiences needs to take place. You don’t have to wait. You can start that process of making sure you see yourself, value yourself, and understand your worth. Sometimes some things start with you so that you can love and respect others better.

How God sees us and what he says about us matters most. Since that’s the case, how we see ourselves, and what we say should line up with his perspective. Speak positively to yourself. Speak what he says over yourself. Speak life over yourself. You are beautiful. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are a treasure. You are yet becoming that woman or man he created you to be. Make sure your mindset, behaviors, and words agree with what he says and never forget the treasure that you are.

If you need a daily reminder of how valuable you are, click here to get your Mirror Miracle to include in your morning routine.

Check out the images below that are a part of the Be-You-tiful Collection.