Instagram Ain't Real, Babe

Oh, isn't it so, so easy to spend a full hour lying in bed scrolling through instagram? I mean, they've got stick thin models, celebrity gossip, selfie tips, bloggers... it's all good for us, right?

Wrong. While pop-culture is no inherent sin, it is important for us to BE CAREFUL WHAT WE LET INTO OUR SUBCONSCIOUS FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. Our habits affect our thoughts, which affect our major life choices, which affect God's destiny for our lives. That said, it's crucial we understand who we are in Christ as opposed to comparing our bodies, successes, and followers to strangers we've never met. And, if I may, many of them aren't even happy themselves!

The saying "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder," goes to say that defining beauty can be tough. However, God's words can lead us to discover what our individual meaning of beauty truly is and should be; that is, to deter from looking at physical appearance and instead focus on our character! When we dive into life with Him, He takes care of all those details, truly.

Use these Bible verses, dear girl, to find the real beauty in yourself, others, and what surrounds us.

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (1 Peter 3:3-4)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. (2 Corinth. 4:16)

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Phil. 4:8)

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)

You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you. (Song of Songs 4:7)

And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. (Matthew 6:28-29)

I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (1 Tim. 2:9)

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7)

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11)

She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. (Proverbs 3:15-17)

Your heart became proud on account of your beauty, and you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor. So I threw you to the earth; I made a spectacle of you before kings. (Ezekiel 28:17)

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)