YOU

When you look in the mirror, do you ever find yourself thinking things like, “Great, another pimple,” “Why is my body like this?” or “I wish I looked more like (someone you know)—she’s so pretty,” or even, “I’m ugly”? These are the kinds of thoughts we often have, but here’s the thing: they’re all based on some standard of perfection that isn’t even real.

How can you have a standard of perfection when you’ve never seen anyone or anything perfect? Every single person in the world has flaws. They might not be the same as yours, but they’ve got them. That thin girl in your dance class, the one you think has the perfect body? She might feel like she looks like a scarecrow. The super smart girl in school could be battling with thoughts that she's not pretty enough. Your cousin who always seems to get all the attention? She might be struggling with loneliness or a lack of true friendships.

The truth is, you never know what someone else is going through. And if you did, you’d probably find yourself saying, “What? Girl, you are so beautiful!” So why, then, would you—who are just as beautiful—let these negative thoughts about yourself take hold?

The thing is, the standard of perfection you’re chasing? It’s impossible to reach. Why? Because perfection, by definition, means something that’s complete on its own—and nothing in this world is truly complete by itself. Trees need dirt, the sun needs the sky, people need laws, and laws need people. A baby needs its mom. The list goes on. There’s only one who is perfect: God. He’s complete in Himself. He doesn’t need anything, because He is everything. And that’s why you’ll never reach perfection the way you imagine.

But don’t let that get you down. The perfect Creator made you. And when He did, He said, “It is good.” Think about that for a second. The God who created everything beautiful and perfect in the world chose you—and when He made you, He said, “It’s good.” You are perfect in His eyes.

This isn’t just something to read and forget. Take it in. Believe it. It’s the truth!

So next time you look in the mirror and feel like you haven’t reached perfection, remember this: You are exactly who you’re meant to be. You are beautifully made, and God doesn’t make mistakes. Thank Him for creating you just the way you are.

"You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you." 

- Song of Solomon 4:7