Stop Calling Me Beautiful: Finding Soul-Deep Strength in a Skin-Deep World

by Phylicia D. Masonheimer

We need more than “pink fluff” theology of out-of-context Bible verses, compliments to our personalities that never challenge us to grow, and topical messages about womanhood and identity. We are tired of the Bible being watered down and made palatable. We need and want truth, because only truth will set us free.

But when we ignore the impact of sin on our own natures, we can’t comprehend the greatness of God’s love.

God doesn’t love us because you and I deserved it. He loves us in spite of ourselves. We are so sinful, so unable to bridge the gap between ourselves and a holy God, that He sent His Son to die on our behalf.

We need to hear less about us, and more about Him.

Turning our eyes to Jesus is how we are transformed. Change comes by His power, not ours.

We must recognize that cute Instagram quotes, isolated Bible verses, and 15-minute quiet times are not the sum of the Christian life, but that we are called to a deep, consistent relationship with God and to teach that relationship to the people around us.

As we pursue a deep, lasting relationship with our Savior, the desires of our hearts change. We stop satisfying ourselves with the cheap and easy—social media, alcohol, men—and learn to desire our Creator above all things.

reading more about ourselves won’t show us how to go deeper with God, because we’re not focusing on the one who matters.

Going deeper spiritually requires a shift of focus. We must turn our eyes away from our failures and successes, our ugliness and our God-given beauty, and instead fix our eyes on the perfection of Jesus Christ.