I understand what it’s like to try to measure up to the standards placed on us by those around us. If I had one word to describe this constant people-pleasing lifestyle, it would be this: 

Miserable. 

Absolutely horrible. 

As young women, we fully understand “image.” We live in a culture where an emphasis is always placed on how we look, act, and talk. We tend to place our identities on outward appearances—whether or not others “approve” of us becomes what we strive for. 

We want to be told that we’re enough. Pretty enough, charming enough, popular enough. The list of “enoughs” never ends. 

But I want to share with you one liberating truth: God doesn’t care if you measure up to the standards placed on you by society. In fact, He doesn’t want you to fit in with the rest of the world (James 4:4, John 17:16). 

Do you want to know how God looks at you? He notices so much more than you may think. Here are 4 things that God sees when He sees you. 

Someone who is redeemed

No matter what your past looks like, it’s behind you. All of it. God doesn’t hold a grudge against you for anything you’ve done. He isn’t angry, ready to punish you, resentful that His grace was spent on you. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 says that you are a new creation in Christ. To create is to make something out of nothing. Do you know what that means? 

God didn’t just heal + restore all the broken shards of your former life—although He did that too. 

He made you something you could never be on your own.

He doesn’t see you as a sinner, because you are now righteous in Him (2 Corinthians 5:21). The apostle Paul in the Bible is the greatest example of that. 

Your past has nothing on you! 

Some more verses to remind you of your redemption:

• Isaiah 43:18-19

• Ezekiel 11:19-20
• Titus 3:5
• 1 Corinthians 6:11
• Galatians 5:1

(You might enjoy this blog post: Your Past Doesn’t Define You—You’re Not a Failure)

Someone who is beautiful

Maybe the most popular Bible verse out there—besides John 3:16—is Psalm 139:14: “I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”

As frequently repeated as this verse is, you should never forget how true this is. You are wonderfully made. In fact, you are made in God’s image! (Genesis 1:27). 

1 Peter 3:3-4 gives a clear explanation as to what true beauty is to God. “Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.”

God doesn’t want you to think that beauty is in outward appearances. 

But I used to. 

When I was younger, I was very caught up in how I looked. Or—in my mind—how I didn’t look. I was constantly embarrassed because I thought I didn’t look the way I should’ve. 

How wrong I was! 

Your body, your hair, your clothes, etcetera, do not determine who you are. 

To paraphrase what my dad says, “Your body is just your earth suit—the real you is on the inside.” 

Never forget that! 

1 Samuel 16:7b clearly sums up what I’ve been saying: “For God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

God thinks your heart is beautiful if it beats for Him and Him alone. <3

      More verses on true beauty: 

• Proverbs 31:30
• 1 Corinthians 3:16
• Ephesians 2:10

Someone who is valuable

Your worth is not determined by what you can do or how you act— your worth is in who you are as a daughter of God. 1 Peter 2:9 says that you are royalty, you are chosen, you are holy, you belong to God. That screams value! 

There’s a reason that God sent His Son to die a criminal’s death. Jesus made His incredible sacrifice with one thing in mind: you. 

As someone who is made in the image of almighty God and is being continually pursued by Him, you have so much value. 

You are never overlooked. 

Forgotten. 

Ignored. 

Instead, you are accepted in the beloved (Ephesians 1:6). You are worth more than the sparrows and the birds of the field, who God watches over (Matthew 6:26-30).

So do you know what? 

Live like you are adored by the one who made you. Because you are <3

More verses on your value: 

• Romans 5:8
• Jeremiah 29:11
• Ephesians 2:4-9
• John 3:16

Someone who is empowered

God didn’t redeem you, call you beautiful, and tell you that you are valuable to just leave it at that. He doesn’t say, “You shall be holy, for I am holy,” (1 Peter 1:16) only so that He can watch you fail over and over.

God never gives us a job to do or a promise to live in without giving us what we need. 1 Peter 1:3 tells us that we have been given everything we need for life and godliness. 

When when you enter a room or building, you are the highest ranking spiritual authority in that place. 

You carry more power in the spirit realm than anyone else. 

This is because you are possessed by God Himself! Remember this when you are feeling insecure or inadequate. 

But I want to point out that this isn’t an automatic thing for anyone who thinks it’s a nice idea. If you want to walk in God’s promises, you also have to walk in His ways.

He doesn’t hand out His authority like flyers—the seven sons of Sceva showed us that much (Acts 19:11-16)! We must walk with God and be right before Him in order to live in the fullness of His promises, and that goes for His authority.

Never forget that even the demons tremble at the name of Jesus, and if you’re right with Him, you walk + live in His authority 24/7!

So, always remember… 

God sees you as more than you see yourself. You’re redeemed, beautiful, valuable, and empowered by Him. He adores you and doesn’t want you to walk through life as if you’re not enough. 

God says that because Jesus was more than enough, you are enough. 

Don’t forget who God says you are!