The other day I had a conversation with some of my closest friends that I’ve been chewing on for several days. I was surprised that one of the most beautiful women I know (inside and out) doesn’t see herself as beautiful. We were particularly talking about hating pictures of ourselves. Another friend said that she has become more comfortable with seeing pictures of herself because she finally realized that is what others see — others who love her and accept her right where she is. For many of us in that conversation it was really one of those forehead-slapping moments–the aha–where that nugget of truth began to seep into our consciences.

This morning as I was driving to work, I heard the song “Priceless” by For King and Country. The song begins: “Mirror, mirror, mirror on the wall, Tellin’ those lies, pointing out your flaws, That isn’t who you are.” That’s the truth because we are made in God’s image (Gen. 1:26-27). And God doesn’t see any of us by our outward appearance; instead He looks at our hearts (1 Sam. 16:7). We are told where to look for true beauty: “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (Prov. 31:30).

So if what I see of myself in pictures and in the mirror isn’t a true reflection of who I am, what is?

The song continues: “No matter what you’ve heard, This is what you’re worth, More than all the money or the diamonds and pearls, Yeah, this is who you are…I see you dressed in white, Every wrong made right, I see a rose in bloom at the sight of you, Oh, so priceless, Irreplaceable, unmistakable, incomparable, Darling, it’s beautiful, I see it all in you, Oh, so priceless”.

This morning I am praising God for how He made me and wanted me to be. If I trust in Him, then how can I believe that He made a mistake when He created me? I need to learn to accept how I appear externally and know that it is what is in my heart where my true beauty will be found. “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.” (Ps. 139:13-14)