I believe that one of the greatest areas of struggle that women face in our society today is related to self image, but even more specifically, body image. I believe that one of the greatest roots behind low self esteem stems from the unfulfilled core desire of every woman, which is the need to be loved. This desire for love often goes much deeper as it poses the unending question in so many of us, which is... Am I Worthy of Love?

Whether you have asked yourself this question out loud before, or it is the first time you really thought about it, I can pretty much guarantee that almost every woman has asked herself this question in her heart.... and it just so happens that it most likely gets asked when we look in the mirror.

With the ever prevalent images and messages that come at us through magazines, commercials, billboards...(you name it), we are constantly having a picture painted for us that would tell us what a woman should be, in order to be lovely. Unfortunately, if we do not feel that we live up to that unrealistic standard, deep down so many of us struggle with the lies that we are ugly, overweight, not good enough, and therefore...unworthy of love.

After struggling with eating disorders for many years, I know this feeling all too well. I was constantly comparing myself and measuring my self worth among societies standards, and other girls, which always left me feeling that I was coming up short. This mindset led to unhealthy behaviors and thoughts, which led me to believe that if I were 'thin enough', that I would finally feel beautiful and confident.

After years of trying to control my weight, and getting down to dangerously low body fat levels, I can now look back and say without hesitation that I was never satisfied. In fact, the struggle and strain that I put on my body and mind in order to maintain a 'perfect' image only led to further dissatisfaction with my body and my self-worth.

Looking back, I now know that the reason I was never satisfied with my body image, (regardless of how skinny I got, or how I looked), was because I was searching for acceptance according to this worlds systems. If you haven't personally been down the path of trying to find fulfillment from the things of this world- let me spare you the wasted time, energy, and pain...Nothing This World Has to Offer Ever Satisfies!

Ultimately, my road to healing began when I started to look to Jesus for my validation and I let Him answer my ever present question....am I worth of love?

If you can relate to my story, or you have ever found yourself thinking negatively about your body, or yourself in general, I would ask yourself this question: Do You Know that You are Worthy of Love?

You are not worthy because you are skinny enough, you have the most beautiful hair, you are toned, or you are the best dressed. You are not worthy of love because you are the smartest, you are the most organized, are the best mom, or are the most successful. You are not worthy of love because you have the cleanest house, have the most perfect marriage, or have the most beautiful skin.

You my friend are WORTHY of love, simply because your God says that you are. In fact, Psalm 139:14 says that “You are Fearfully and Wonderfully Made” by the Lord. The word ‘wonderfully’ means to be distinct or unique. This verse says that God made you special, and that no one else is like you! How is that for validation!?! God loves you so much that He created every detail of you with great though in mind, so that each one of us would be unique! And He didn't make a mistake! Every part of you was designed in order to fulfill the special purpose and plan that He has for you.

If the fact that you are truly one of a kind isn't convincing enough that you are amazing, think about the fact that you were created in the image of a powerful, great, almighty God! (Genesis 1:27)

Now, this might all sound wonderful, but let's get down to the nitty-gritty on actually applying this principal- because let's face it, at the end of the day, we may know that we are accepted and loved by God, but we also want to feel good about ourselves, and having peoples approval certainly helps!

I can speak from experience when I say, this is where the work and time must be put in to Renew our Minds with God's Word. Romans 12:2 tells us not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. This scripture was a vital part to my inner healing, and it truly was the first step in finding my fulfillment in the Lord.

You see, it wasn't until I actually laid down my 'self' and my selfish desires to feel good about 'myself' and trade it in for what God almighty says about me that I truly was satisfied. I will be honest and tell you that it is a process, and it doesn't happen overnight, but the peace of knowing who I am in Christ is well worth the effort!

I can now honestly say that I am free from the bondage of self-acceptance, or the need to be approved by others, simply because everything that I am is found in the one who created me. This doesn't mean that I don't have my 'days' where I have to remind myself of the truth...and laying my 'self' at the feet of Jesus is a daily (and sometimes multiple time a day) event. However, the freedom, joy, and acceptance that only He can give is the very thing that keeps me running back to Him.

I pray that this devotional encouraged you today, and that no matter where you are today, you have a revelation that God almighty, the one that created you, and the one that knows you by name- calls you worthy of love....Just as you are at this very moment.

He finds no spot, flaw, or blemish in you, (Song of Solomon 4:7), and He wants to fill you up with His love today.