Many of you have probably seen the video that was recently shared all over Facebook: Dove’s “Real Beauty Sketches.” In a nutshell, Dove conducted an experiment where a professional artists draws a woman’s face without seeing her, once based on her description of herself, and a second time by another’s description of her. When the two were juxtaposed, it was apparent that the women saw themselves with more flaws and less attractive than how others viewed them.

image from abcnews.go.com

Of course, it seems like the kind of “experiment” that has a pre-determined result and video editing to highlight the parts that best communicates the message they  intend. But the point that “You are more beautiful than you think” is a valid one to consider.

You are beautiful, but not because others say so (though that is encouraging!). You are beautiful because the One who defines beauty is the One who designed you. You are beautiful because your kindness and other such adornments bring out the attractiveness  in your face. And as a child of God, you are beautiful because you have the beauty of Jesus in you.

It’s not so much “work on feeling better about yourself” in order to be more confident, but pursue abiding in Christ to walk securely in your identity. “Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.” (Psalm 34:5)