Listen to Lisa-Jo from The Gypsy Mama share her answer to “In God’s Heart I Am…?” in the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXDjFyYcEQw&feature=youtu.be
{subscribers, click here if you can’t see the video}
Just flip through a few television channels, and it’s easy to see that our culture is obsessed with beauty. Stars get plastic surgery before they walk the red carpet. Makeover shows transform lives and faces. The Miss America pageant crowns one girl the fairest of them all. From the time we are young girls, we wonder how we fit into all of this fuss about beauty.
I clearly remember changing outfits at least a dozen times the evening before the first day of sixth grade. I would put one on, parade in front of my parents, and then rush back to my room to stare in the mirror. None of them seemed quite right. I was a wallflower who got few compliments.
The next morning I woke up to find a note beside my bed. It said, “The outfit looks great, and so do you. Love, Dad.” I don’t think he even knew which outfit I ended up choosing. It didn’t matter. I belonged to him, and that made me beautiful in his eyes no matter what I was wearing.
Our heavenly Father feels the same way about us. He created us, and regardless of what the world may try to tell us, He thinks we’re beautiful. I attended a conference taught by my dear friend, fellow writer, and women’s ministry leader Bekah Mulvaney. She talked about women’s search for acceptance and how she is learning to embrace God’s view of her.
She said, “When I look in the mirror I see my imperfections. When God looks at me He probably thinks I’m adorable! After all, He made this nose, these eyes, and my heart.”
The Song of Solomon is thought by many scholars to be a picture of Christ and His relationship with us. Over and over the lover tells his beloved, “You are beautiful.”
In Do You Think I’m Beautiful? The Question Every Woman Asks, Angela Thomas shares how we can respond to our desire for beauty.
If the question, “Do you think I’m beautiful?” came attached to my soul, then maybe the answer wasn’t ever meant to fully come from this world. Maybe the purpose of the question is to take me by the hand and walk me into the presence of the Creator. My soul cries out and asks me the questions meant to lead me to God. Maybe all that really matters is what He thinks of me.
Whether we obsess about it or ignore it, we’re made to know we’re beautiful. That truth can ultimately come only from God. He’s waiting to speak to our hearts the words we’ve always longed to hear.
You started in God’s heart,
were shaped by His hands
and presented to the world as a gift.
No matter how it feels,
no matter what you’ve been through,
that’s still true.
You are of great worth, the only YOU ever made.
There’s a part of who God is
that gets expressed only through who you are.
You’re a bearer of His image.
And that’s beautiful.
It’s beautiful in a way that’s deeper and truer than the latest trend.
It’s a forever kind of beauty that time can’t touch or years take away.
God sees it in you
and because you believe it, make it yours…
we see Him in you too.
–excerpt from God’s Heart for You, Embracing Your True Worth as a Woman by Holley Gerth {available as a book or ebook}
Holley Gerth, www.InGodsHeart.com
Leave a Comment
Patricia (Pollywog Creek) says
Holley, these excerpts from your book are blessing me more and more each day. Thank you for sharing God’s heart in such tender, loving ways. Love, Patricia
shana says
thanks so much for your words, Holley.
blessings,
shana
Amy Hunt says
The life change can only really occur when we agree to seize the truth, even if we still tentatively believe–He stands in our gap, even in our in ability to fully surrender to belief truth. When I decided to even venture into the willingness that perhaps I really am beautiful, everything changed–even my relationships with others. It’s so amazing–this truth-telling and willingness to believe it…
Janet says
Hi Holley,
I pray those that need to fully grasp this will let these words sink in, accept them and believe them. God has placed on my heart a love of encouragement and support for women who Satan has seized up with his lies. This is so needed, Holley and so timely. Thank you I am looking forward to buying a copy of your newest book, when released. Thanks to Mary Jo and Zoe for a great video too!
Stacey says
Thanks so much for such an uplifting & encouraging devotion. I have been thinking all week of adjectives to describe what I am In God’s Heart. Some of the words that come to mind for me are:
Amazing
Special
Cherished
Awesome
Thanks for being used of God to share with all of us =]. Have A HaPpY Week-end! Love, Stacey. ヾ(@⌒ー⌒@)ノ
Rebecca says
Thanks!
Kathy says
Thank you Holley for the reminder that we are of great worth to God. He made us and loves us unconditionally and completely.
Diane says
Great video! My kids and I have thinking all week about these words, its become a great family devotion. Thank you!
Vera says
Only one of ME!!! YEAH!!!! All praise be to God! To Him be all the Glory, because in His eyes I am beautyfull! Thnk You!!!
Shawn Bensley says
Thank you for your faithfulness to share.
Ruthie says
I can relate so much to the video. I was that girl when I was in elementary school. Once high school was over, those mean girls kind of faded into the distance & I was finally able to become my own person without worrying what everyone else thought of me. 🙂
Anna says
What an amazing message to start the day! Thank you!
Erin says
Beautiful words, Holley. They must have hit home because my eyes are burning and wet. 🙂
I love how Lisa-Jo talks about “owning” those verses in our heart.
So looking forward to reading your new book.
Erin
Karen says
Lisa-Jo’s video brought tears to my eyes. I’ve spent a lifetime wishing I was more beautiful. I have an older brother who has always been mean to me, and one day, when I was about 15, I remember saying to him, “why can’t you be nice to me, like your friend D___ is always so nice to his younger sister L____ . ” His answer? “Because L____ is PRETTY. If you weren’t so ugly, then I could be nice to you.” He has continued being “un-nice” to me for the past 50 years!! I see him being sweet to his wife, to other relatives and friends. And constantly in my head I hear him saying, “If YOU weren’t so UGLY, then I could be nice to YOU…” Please pray I can turn off that voice, and listen to God’s voice saying, “You are beautiful!”
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Oh Karen, just ouch! That’s so hard. I can imagine how achey that would feel. Have you ever tried writing those words he said out on a piece of paper. Praying over it. Giving it to Jesus and then burning it and flushing said ashes down the toilet? Let’s just say, I may have done a similar exercise once upon a time and it was wonderfully freeing! 🙂
Melynda says
It amazes me how much I still ask “am I beautiful.” I’m almost 60 for goodness sake! (Did I just confess that?) I want to be a beautiful reflection of who God created me to be. Thanks for the encouragement today – and one more time, I’ll try to plant those words deep, deep within my heart.
Tiffany says
Such a great reminder to us all! So very encouraging, thank you!
Tiffany says
Thank you for this article, I am definitely going to have to get that book!
Brittany says
A few weeks ago, someone asked what ONE message I would store in my Bible study girls’ heads and hearts if I had a 100% guarantee it would stick. I didn’t hesitate for even one second. “God loves them and they are beautiful,” I replied.
As women (especially women in our twenties), we’re constantly in this strange place of battling the world’s pressures to be movie-star beautiful and what many of us perceive as the church’s pressures to be perfect. I just want to shout to every woman in the world & whisper to my own heart, “God loves you and you are beautiful!”
Once we begin to rest in those two truths, we realize we have the power (through Christ) to impact the world for the glory of GOD!
Thank you for sharing this message!! It is so needed.
gitz says
I love love LOVE this series. And I knew immediately what my word was, but wouldn’t have known it so well if I hadn’t done Lisa Jo’s 5 minute Friday a few weeks back.
In God’s heart, I am… WHOLE.
Meg says
Thank you so much for this encouraging word. In today’s world, it is so easy to get caught up in what we think we should look like, reaching for some ideal that isn’t healthy, that isn’t right for us. How amazing it is to know that God loves us as we are, that He created each and every one of us to be wonderfully unique. Thank you Lord!
Miranda says
Beauty is in everything. We just sometimes forget to see it in ourselves :). Thanks for the beautiful video Lisa-Jo.
Elaine Pool says
It’s so hard to think we’re beautiful when we’re faced by Hollywood’s version every day. BUT, we shall try, and carry on!
Stephanie says
Thank you so much for this. As a woman who has battled an eating disorder for the past 27 years, I am in the thick of a fight for my life. Satan is blasting me at every turn and I am so weary. I am trying so hard to change my self perception to how God sees me. Thank you for your words and for the exerpts. I look forward to reading your book.
Holley Gerth says
Oh, Stephanie, praying for you now, my beautiful sister. Please take good care of you–you’re the only one we’ve got. You are worth fighting for and you will win this battle!
Stephanie says
Thank you Holley… I really appreciate the prayers.
ana frazee says
wow! i love holley’s stuff….would love to win the plaque, since my budget doesn’t cover purchasing one at this time. THANKS!
Sara Sophia says
Oh Lisa-Jo.
That baby. Those words.
Thank you for sharing both <3
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
She is like vlog bait, isn’t she?
tinuviel says
Thank you, Holley and Lisa-Jo! This is one of those areas where I struggle to replace lies with truth, too. I appreciate your testimonies.
Kathi says
First, I loved this blog today!! Holley, the excerpt from your book is awesome and made me cry (relief?) Also, I would LOVE to win this plaque for my daughter who is struggling as she is starting her first year of college and is away from home. It says so much that I would want her to see daily!!
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang says
Beautiful. thank you!
Lisa H says
Beautiful! And I love the plaque (ploque?) too! 🙂
Lisa says
You speak right to my heart. God is using you to touch so many…definitely ME!! Thank you for your timely words. Blessings!
And the plaque is wonderful…thank you for the generous giveaway.
Lisa
Beth says
Would love to win the plaque. Thanks for sharing such wisdom!
Lisa Marie says
Holley, this video blogs have been awesome! It is so fun to get to hear some of my favorite bloggers! What a treat to hear happy little Zoey today too! Can’t wait to read your book (I am secretly hoping it’s the next Bloom selection…..hint, hint!)
Courtney says
A beautifully written reminder that we are all beautiful in the eyes of our Maker. The video of Lisa-Jo and the precious little Zoey was an adorable bonus! I love the new collection, and whether or not I win anything in any of the giveaways, I will be purchasing everything! (For myself AND my best friend!) 🙂
Emily says
What a cute baby!
Jennifer says
Seeing myself the way God sees me has been a struggle I’ve had for many years. I can see ways God has opened my heart to His truth, and I’m praying He continues to give me “eyes to see”. Beautiful video, Lisa-jo and beautiful post, Holly!
A.S. says
Very hard to see myself as God sees me. Wanted to order the devotional but on dayspring price said $9.99 instead of $7.99??
Thanks for the encouraging words.
Amy says
How beautiful are the feet that spread His Word.
Evelyn Mize says
Thank-you for these anointed words—these excerpts are right on time for me. He is an On Time God (yes He is)!!!
OneGirl says
Those words were so beautiful. Going to go share them with a few friends right now, and save them to remind myself over and over again.
Dawn says
…For I am fearfully and wonderfully made…..and to God I am His beautiful creation. I need to remember that.
Thank you so much for this post!
Corine says
You rock! ;D