It’s hard to see beauty in ourselves, isn’t it? If we’re contrasting and comparing ourselves to how the world defines beauty, especially of the physical kind, instead of seeing ourselves as we are reflected in the mirror of God’s word, then we will struggle to believe we are beautiful at all.

We can become overly focused on what’s wrong with us, easily discouraged, drown in our flaws and failings, our all too obvious imperfections, rather than rest in our loveliness in Christ and in the way His grace changes us from the inside out.

“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty that depends on jewelry, or beautiful clothes, or hair arrangement. Be beautiful inside, in your hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit that is so precious to God.” ~ 1 Peter 3:3-4 TLB

Broken into beauty

I had beauty once but I didn’t even
know it so I lived like one impoverished
sitting in dust, when I was really rich

I ached for difference because
I couldn’t match the face I met
in the mirror with my preference

Instead, I honed in on the flaws
and saw plenty enough to keep me
occupied. Several imperfections

cried out loud and I bowed down
to their name, holding it all inside
where my real self sits, and I

could barely stretch to fit the skin
I was in, never mind making room
for all those needful improvements

And now? These days my gaze rests and reflects
on a God-given inner vision, more than
having derision for a fading outer face

I can see life’s manifold brokenness and pain
but beyond it all what shouts out most to me
is how God is breaking us into beauty again
©joylenton

I sense God whispering His sweet encouragement to our insecure souls:

“Don’t lament over your brokenness, rejoice instead because it allows Me access to be your Restorer, your Healer and Saviour. Each particle, every piece, all those broken shards of you are being tenderly gathered, held lovingly and carefully pieced back together better than before.”

“Your broken places are grace entrances. Your weaknesses are sources for My strength to infiltrate. Your tears are like dew in My own eyes, as I cry with you and for you, longing above all things to dry your tears, offer My rest and peace, the consolation of My Love. A broken life becomes broken open more by My grace, made beautiful by My Love and radiant with the Light of My presence. I am seen most in those who give their all to Me.”

“A surrendered life and heart are hallmarks of being My Beloved. All you give to Me is returned to you abundantly, made new, pulsing with promise and potential. Hand your brokenness over to Me and marvel as I make a beautiful mosaic out of it all. Though you will always retain cracks and chipped edges in this lifetime, they also become spaces for My Light to shine more freely from.”

May these encouraging words bless you, my friend, as you learn to see yourself as beautiful in God’s eyes. 🙂 

“To all who mourn in Israel he will give: beauty for ashes; joy instead of mourning; praise instead of heaviness. For God has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for his own glory.” ~ Isaiah 61:3 TLB