Be-YOU-Ti-Ful
I feel most beautiful, my true self, when I have no makeup on, and I am in jeans and boots, complete with a baseball cap. That is a far cry from where I was in high school; then I wouldn’t have dreamed of going out of the house without a full face of makeup.
My first broken heart was when I started doubting my true beauty and began wearing makeup. I was all of twelve. In my mind, the boy didn’t find me attractive, so I needed to change the way I looked. That is a lie many of us girls believe: that to be accepted we need to change how we look.
Do you know who weaves that thought in our head?
The Devil.
So, we must rebuke that lie with the Truth.
The truth is that you are beautiful just the way you are. I know that is hard to hear. I have been told I am beautiful multiple times, but that compliment never took root in my brain. I heard it, but never really comprehended it. I kept lathering on the makeup, not even considering what I was doing. I was covering up the true beauty God bestowed on me at birth.
“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”-Psalm 139:13-14 NIV
It wasn’t until I graduated high school that I realized this truth. I didn’t know I was a masterpiece without makeup. The Devil had engrained the lie in my mind that I need to put makeup on to be accepted. I put a lot into looking the part, having my eyeliner match, my mascara just so, my lip gloss shining and my outfit as perfect as it could be. I can’t tell you when I decided to trade in my foundation for my cowboy boots, but it was freedom.
Now that is not to say I don’t wear any makeup now, but there are some days I pass on it. These days, I am more confident in the true beauty God has bestowed on me and am able to walk out of my house without a brush of makeup on. Back in high school, I would not have dreamed of going out of the house without my war paint. Without it, I felt vulnerable, like you could see the scars of my past. Whenever I left the house, I didn’t go without my makeup. It’s quite the opposite now. I have more self-confidence in who I am and the solid rock I am standing on. It has been a journey and one I would not trade for anything.
The journey to find my true beauty might have been a hard path, but nothing worthwhile comes easy. It’s a path paved with truth and understanding. The truth I have learned on my walk is something I will take with me into whatever season I’m walking into next. They are the things God says about me, about you. His is the ONLY opinion that matters.
“You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.” Song of Solomon 4:7, ESV.
There is no flaw in you!
When God looks at you, He thinks, “My beautiful creation!” He doesn’t think about your flawless, or not-so-flawless skin. It doesn’t matter whether your face is adorned but how deep your relationship is to the King. When you have a firm foundation under your feet, your confidence will soar. Just ask me.
“Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.” Romans 15:7, NLT.
I was homeschooled until I graduated. Being homeschooled put a black mark on my record in social settings. Throughout high school, I strived to be accepted, thus the tight grip on makeup. I wanted people to see me and not the fact that I was homeschooled. At some point in my 20s, I realized it doesn’t matter if I am ever accepted by my peers. Their opinion of me could change tomorrow. God accepts me, and that needs to always be enough.
It doesn’t matter if you are ever accepted into the “cool” group; the God of the universe will ALWAYS accept you. I know the struggle is real, but He is real and present in the struggle. Belonging to Him is a place to rest and be yourself.
I have two literal scars: a 4-inch scar in my scalp from a biopsy and a 1-inch scar on my calf. My scars are reminders of God’s faithfulness; I wouldn’t dream of covering them up with makeup, they show where I’ve been. Never apologize for being yourself. You are beautiful just the way God made you.
This article is as much for you as it is for me. The truths I wrote for you to read are things I need to be reminded of. It’s a process.
Remember you are beautiful. You are chosen. You are accepted. You are enough.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mary Hannah Thomas was born and raised in Social Circle, Georgia with her three siblings. Now she lives in the woods outside of Athens, Georgia. In between writing and spending time with Jesus, she enjoys a daily walk and baking. Mary Hannah is always down for a cup of coffee no matter what the time! To find more of her writing check out her blog: https://tbdmlp.wordpress.com/