So I'm not going to sugar coat this right now. I'm going to come right out and say it, because guess what? What I'm about to say is completely and utterly true.

There is pain.

Sorrow.

Hard times.

Times you want to run away from your life and make it all end.

Times when you wake up and feel like crawling right back under the covers and never getting up.

Times when you look at yourself in the mirror and wish you had the chance to change something about yourself.

I sure know that I've felt this way. As a Christian, I think that some people believe that we should be perfect - that we shouldn't have troubles and trials. That we should just walk through the fire and never get burned by it. That we are immortal.

But we are not. We are human. We are sinners. We are easily hurt just like everyone else. We are burdened, pained, sorrowed. We have so much going on, and we feel like no one takes the time for us. 

But guess what? 

God has time. God wants you to run to him and not away from him. He wants YOU to take the time to go to him - in prayer, in meditation, by reading the Bible. He wants you to turn to him when you're hurting. He wants to help you. He wants to LOVE you. He wants to treat you the way you deserve to be treated. You can't get a better doctor, lover, best friend, healer than the Lord, Jesus Christ. 

So remember, next time you're hurting, even if you don't feel like it - run to God, and not away from him. It might just prove to be the best thing that ever happened to you. Because he'll heal your heart and love you just for you.

Sinner and all.

I keep my eyes always on the LORD. 
   With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Psalm 16:8


 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

~Ashley

The Mirror Lies

This picture is of my mirror in my room.

I'm sure you know all about mirrors.

They're the things that lie to us, telling us we're less than what we should be. Telling us we're fat. Telling us we are imperfect. Telling us we don't deserve love.

But the truth is... the mirror lies.

As much as I try to remember this... I forget. My mirror is right across from my bed, so every morning, I'm faced with... well, me. And I'll be honest: a lot of times, I don't like what I see. Sometimes, I downright hate it.

Part of the reason I haven't posted on this blog in forever is because it's so hard to believe that I really am beautiful. I've been struggling in this area a lot. I didn't feel like I should be talking about believing that we're beautiful when I don't even believe it myself.

I remember a particularly dark time a few months ago when I was listening to Satan's voice, not God's. When I'm listening to the loud voices of Satan and his lies, it's so hard to hear the still small voice of Jesus.

I felt worthless. Fat. And the biggest lie that Satan shoved down my throat was this: No one could ever love you. You'll never get married. You are not worthy.


That is totally and utterly crap. I know that now. But it's hard to see Satan's lies for what they are when he's got such a strong grip.

It was after this time that I put up those two post-it notes.

You are beautiful.
-God


No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. -Eleanor Roosevelt

And now, when I wake up every morning, I am faced with the truth - not lies.

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 

John 8:32

Girls, deep inside you, you know the truth. The truth is:

you are sacred,
you are treasured,
you are loved,
you are His.

Hold onto that truth with everything in you. Proclaim it. Shout it from the roof tops. Embed it into every fiber of your being.

The mirror lies, but the Maker of the stars never will.

Don't be afraid to believe that you're beautiful.

Everyone Needs A Little Encouragement

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

"So do not fear, for I am with you;
   do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
   I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10

Blessings by Laura Story

This is one my favorite songs. So BEAUTIFUL!

We Are His

If you've read our about page, you've probably seen this sentence before:

The purpose of this blog is to encourage girls in their faith and remind them that their beauty is found in Christ alone. 

Today I'd been hit hard with that sentence. I really, really struggle with my self-image. As much as I try to believe the theme of this blog - that I'm beautiful in Christ - I don't always think that way. I feel fat, and wonder how anyone could ever love me.

What I need to remember when that nagging doubt starts creeping in is that Someone already does love me.

Today was such a bad day. I was depressed. Satan was throwing lies at me in every possible way. I didn't want to eat, because I felt so horrible about myself.

Then I got online. And somehow, I found myself on Beautiful in Christ. I was reading over some of our posts, and they encouraged me. They uplifted me and reminded me of the message that I blog about every week on BIC.

WE ARE BEAUTIFUL.

It's not because of what we've done. It's because of Jesus.

Plain and simple, we are His.

There is nothing I can do that can make me look better in his sight. He loves me just the way I am.

And he's the only reason that I breathe.

In Christ alone, my hope is found.




In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My comforter, my all-in-all

Here in the love of Christ I stand

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory

Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me

From life’s first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Beautiful Art

“I grew up hearing everyone tell me 'God loves you'. I would say 'big deal, God loves everybody. That don't make me special! That just proves that God ain't got no taste.' And, I don't think He does. Thank God! Because He takes the junk of our lives and makes the most beautiful art.”

—Rich Mullins

The Truest Love

Close your eyes and imagine with me for a moment. (Well, closing your eyes could be a bit difficult while you read this, but bear with me.)


Imagine you’re in a ballroom. The decadence is overwhelming. Glowing light is cast over everything as the band plays soft, serenading music in the background. You’re a bit of a wallflower, but you don’t mind. You’re enjoying watching everyone twirl and dance, so much so that you don’t even care that you’re not waltzing with the rest of them. Your soft purple dress falls around you in graceful folds, and your hair is in a curly updo. You wouldn’t even know how to do your hair like that if this was real life. You see diamonds everywhere - in the chandeliers above your head, in the dangly earrings you wear, and the diamond bracelet on your wrist. The sparkly atmosphere makes it feel all the more magical.


You feel a light tap on your shoulder. “May I have this dance?”


You whirl, suddenly brought out of your reverie. You were so lost in thought that you didn’t see this man approach, but now, here he stands. His hair is in sawdust-colored curls, and he bows slightly. A hint of a smile lingers on his lips. You’re not sure whether to feel afraid or excited at this unexpected turn of events.


You take his outstretched hand as he leads you onto the dance floor. He grasps your hand, and you waltz. Twirling, twirling. You study this mysterious stranger as you dance. Who is he? Where did he come from?


“I believe we were never fully introduced,” you begin. 


“I’m sorry.” He smiles, almost mischievously. He doesn’t give you his name, and seems to have no intention of giving it to you. You wait for a few awkward moments, and then you tell him your name. “I know,” he says with a wink.


You can’t think of anything to say, so you keep your mouth shut as the dance continues and finally draws to a close. You stand still as the music fades away, suddenly struck with the realization that you danced with someone who is a complete stranger and seems to want to remain that way. Far be it from you to drag information out of him, but there’s something about him that makes you want to know everything. Maybe it’s the way he smiles... or his bluish-green eyes. Whatever it is, you’re intrigued. And you don’t want this conversation - or, rather, lack of one - to end.


Much to your surprise, it doesn’t. He keeps his hold on your hand and tips his head as he looks at you. “Walk with me?”


You are much too surprised to refuse, and allow him to lead you off the dance floor. Together, you walk out the large double doors onto a balcony that looks just like it came from a Disney princess movie. The stars seem to sing above the two of you, accompanied by the sound of the crickets in the bushes below. You study this man curiously. “Who are you?” You finally ask.


“I am,” he simply says.


“No, I mean... who are you?” you ask again, bewildered.


“Tell me...” He begins, leading you by the hand to a nearby bench. “What’s been troubling you? Your thoughts? Your desires?”


You are speechless. “Um...” Again, you ask yourself, who is he? Why does he seem so familiar? And what is this strange hold he seems to have on your heart?


He just looks at you, imploring you to speak with those beautiful eyes of his. And so you do.


“I’ve been thinking. About God. About life. About me...” You trail off. “Who I’m going to marry, mostly.”


He raises his eyebrows, inviting you to go on. “Yes?”


“No, it’s stupid.” You hang your head. He reaches over and lifts your chin up, and you find yourself looking straight into his eyes. “It’s not stupid,” he whispers. “Not to me.”


Your eyes fill with tears. “I feel... worthless. There are no guys who want to date me. No one to even give me a second glance.” 


You turn your body away, but he comes around and kneels in front of you. There is no escaping this man. He holds both your hands in his warm grasp. “What about me?” he asks.


“What about you?” You repeat, starting to get irritated. “I don’t even know who you are!”


“I am,” he says simply.


“You are what?” Your eyes fill with tears again, this time angry tears. You don’t understand this man or anything he says. 


Then he says your name. So tenderly. So sweetly. The sound is so beautiful that you want to melt. Slowly, you turn towards him again. “Yes?” you reply.


“Talk to me,” he says.


And for some reason you can’t understand, your heart comes spilling out. All your desires. Your wants. Your needs. Your pain. Your fears. Your hopes. Your dreams.


“And while I have your attention,” you say with a laugh, “I just want to say, I want to know... where is that special guy? Why hasn’t he come yet?”


This man across from you feels like one of your best friends. And in this moment, all he does is blink. So you continue.


“Who is my true love?”


The man stands, and pulls you into his arms. Then he laughs softly. “Well, that’s easy.”


He pauses, and you look up into his eyes. His eyes... you nearly drown in them.


His voice rumbles next to your ear, and you will never forget what he says.


“I am.”