You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. – Psalm 139:13

I have body image issues. I struggle between accepting the body God gave me and modifying my body into something esteemed as “attractive” by my culture. While I struggle with my own body image, I celebrate the variety of God’s creation. I enjoy sitting at the airport or shopping mall and watching the myriad of body types walking by.

I recently vacationed at a beach, where clothing is minimal, so the body is on display for all to see. The vacation location is popular for tourists from many countries, and it was interesting to see varying body image perceptions. In general, most women seemed confident or at least comfortable with her body. They walked along the beach and sunned in limited clothing regardless of weight, age, and body type. Few seemed overly-confident, flaunting her body with a look-at-me attitude. The lack of clothing seemed to be more about tanning than display.

I prefer modesty to maximum sun exposure. However, I recognize my modesty isn’t just about guarding my own body and reducing temptations for myself and others. Truth be told, I don’t have the confidence to walk around nearly naked even if I didn’t see a need for modesty. What struck me about so many women on the beach was a comfort in their own skin.

God created me, and I’m unique. I’m not going to parade on the beach nearly naked in celebration of the body God gave me, because I believe his biblical messages of modesty are clear. However, I’m not going to let culture dictate to me whether I look okay or not. My body image should be a reflection of God’s image of my body…the one he created just for me.

Consider why you chose the clothes you’re currently wearing. Are you dressing to get attention or perhaps to avoid attention? Dress your best for God.

You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. – 1 Peter 3:4