feel beautiful

i saw this statement on a feed at a social networking site, "feel beautiful"  it got me thinking...what does this actually mean, feel beautiful?  what is beauty?

i have been struggling with the concept of beauty...what is it?  where do we find our worth?  value?  beauty?  in whom or what do we place our identity?  you look at magazine covers and see beautiful people who are perfect in body type...there is always the next diet or workout trend...there is always going to be something bigger and better to make you so called thinner and more beautiful.  we are always looking to the next thing...

what if we just looked to right now...to what we were given and how we were given...being conscious of our bodies and aware of what we are putting in it and taking care of it.  God created us...we are his.  the bible says that we are the temple of the holy spirit...the living god is residing in us....and we are to be good stewards of what he has given us...i want to prepare my body and my mind, my spirit to recieve all that he has for me...i so often look to my own strenght and look at my own weaknesses and limit myself...i need to allow god to infiltrate every part of my being...i need to value myself as god does...and not look so negatively at who i am...god created me fearfully and wonderfully and he loves me just as i am, and wants me to respect my body, to love who he created, and care for it.  he wants me to be healthy and not just physically, spiritually.

this is something that i have struggled with my whole life, not being content with who I am; wanting to be something other than who i am...it's an internal daily struggle...placing my worth and beauty in my weight...not loving who i am...there are many seasons, and many ups and downs, but i am sick of placing my value in how i look...i need to rest in who god created me to be...making sure to rest in him daily and seeking him and who he says i am...declaring my value and that i am loved.    when i begin doubting or thinking negative thoughts i need to declare who he says i am...that i am beautiful, that i am worthy of love, that i am made with purpose, etc....