lies my mirror told me

          my dear sisters and friends, this world throws unruly lies at you from all sides every day, relentless in it's desire to tear you down. The world tells you that you are not pretty enough, you are not skinny enough, you are not desirable. You aren't hip enough or trendy enough. You could never be smart enough. You're not popular enough. You are not loved. You do not deserve love. The world seeks revenge easily and without second chances. It deceives you into traps of discontentment and provides false sense of belonging when you finally think you've made it. The world throws rocks at you while you are climbing up the mountains on the hard days and tries to drown out all happiness and hope others send your way. The world is evil and dark. The world does not want you to succeed -  no, in fact, it very much so would like to see you fail. The world rejoices in your misfortunes.

         Sometimes the world comes in the shape of your "closest" friends, your boyfriend, your siblings, even your parents. Sometimes it's the clothes at the mall from the store all your friends shop at, but that don't fit you and leave you feeling humiliated, ashamed, and gross - inside and out. Other times, it's your teammates who laugh when you strike out or call you names behind your back. Then sometimes, it can be the voices in your head that night you don't get invited to the party - "they hate me. I'm not cool enough. Who would want me there anyway?" I know I can vividly remember times like these when I was in junior high and high school, and even now I can let the world have a little bit too much of my mind. But now I realize…

          the world LIES.

           The Creator of the Universe called you into being - it was not a mistake. He did not mess up in making you exactly who you are. No, He did not say "oops! I really wish I made her hair a little darker, her eyes a little lighter, and her nose a little smaller." He said, "You are fearfully and wonderfully made; I know that full well." 

            

           The world lies to see how much damage it can do. It wants to break you down, bring you into its darkness, and make you feel hopeless and helpless. The world hates the Light. [John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.]

Listen to this woman's story about overcoming insecurities stemming from the worlds misconceptions of beautiful (Lupita Nyongo) : http://time.com/11692/lupita-nyongo-essence-black-beauty/

           So, my prayer for you is that you know you are worthy, you are loved, you are desired. You are wanted; you are enough. Your worth, your sense of belonging, your beauty - none of it comes from you or anyone around you, but from the One who made you. He formed you and knit you together before you were even conceived on Earth. He knew you then and fully knows you even now. He made a way for you that only He has the map to guide you through. Know your worth is found in who you are in Christ - not the number of friends you have, your score on a test, or your relationship status. Know that Christ deeply desires for you to be in a relationship with Him. Most of all, know that you don't have to bring anything to the table - in fact you have to give it all up. You have to let go of what people think of you and what they will say. You must take a leap of faith and trust that God has bigger and better plans for you than you can ever imagine. 

           most of all know that what makes you beautiful is not your jean or bra size, it is not in your make-up or designer clothes or your social circle. It is your soul.

God makes no mistakes.