Where is Your Worth?

Dear Christian Sister,

A friend of mine recently ran into an actress in the grocery store. Not an entirely foreign scenario in Los Angeles, but, contrary to what TV and movies tell you, also not an every day occurrence. She was surprised to see that the actress looked a bit older in real life; less polished, more approachable and real.

It’s so easy in this world to put our worth and value in our career, our family, the way we look. I think this is especially difficult for young women.

Everywhere we look, we are confronted by images of what our culture says is good and beautiful. Television shows, movies, magazines, advertisements, Instagram accounts: they all portray women with flawless complexions, gorgeous hair, a great sense of style, and a bright white smile. Fully done up moms, with perfectly behaved, adorable children, dreamy homes, and a social media feed of beautiful photos of special moments. It is so easy to feel inadequate, self-conscious.

What we forget is that many of these images in media are staged or, at the very least, carefully chosen glimpses of life. Often, these women have teams of people to perfect their hair & make-up, costume designers to select their clothing, professional photographers & set designers. Not to mention all of the post-production photo & video editors who airbrush and Photoshop any perceived imperfections. Even social media managers to take & edit photos, posting them with clever or poignant captions. The women in the entertainment industry & influencers online don’t really look like that in real life and they only show us their best, heavily-curated moments.

God created mankind in His own image. Often referred to by the Latin phrase imago dei, we bear the image of our Creator, Himself. Psalm 139 tells us that God knew us before we were born. He is the one who formed us within our mother’s womb. All human beings are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” The Bible also tells us, “charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a women who fears the Lord, she shall be praised” (Proverbs 31:30). Our value as human beings comes from our Creator.

If you are in Christ, all of the above are true of you, but there is more!

You have been made a new creation -you have a new identity in Christ. You are God’s child (John 1:12), chosen and adopted by Him (Eph 1:3-8) into a family that spans continents and centuries. You are free from condemnation (Rom. 8:1-2). You are God’s temple (1 Cor 3:16). You are COMPLETE in Christ (Col 2:9-10).

If finding your identity as a believer or feeling inadequate by the world’s standards is something you struggle with, I encourage you to be in the scriptures daily. The Bible reveals so many things about who we are in Christ. It is the very Word of God, the ultimate authority, and when we consistently read from the Bible and memorize verses, the Holy Spirit brings God’s words to us in times of need. It is through the Word of God that we learn about who we are.

More importantly, we learn about who He is.

So stop the endless scrolling and take the images you see in the media with a grain of salt. Put your phone down and pick up a Bible. Read from Christian authors. Fill your social media with fellow brothers & sisters who encourage you to grow & seek the Lord. Focus on God, not on yourself.

And remember, as a Christian, your identity, your value, your worth, is not in your physical appearance, your career, or in any of the values of this world. Your worth is in your identity in Christ. Set your eyes on Him.

"Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face.

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,

In the light of His glory and grace."