A woman’s true value comes from the depth of her heart and who she is in God’s eyes

In this day and age, the standards of beauty that this society sets on women are changing constantly.

These beauty standards become the social norm so quickly that a lot of women blindly cast their self-worth and value on them, without realizing the emotional damage that could potentially happen to them and how they view themselves.

In order for the women, who have been blindsided because of the unrealistic beauty standards, to wake up and recognize who they really are and where their worth comes from, I decided to share the lessons I have learned from one of my favorite devotional books, “Captivating” by John and Stasi Eldredge.

“Captivating” is interestingly opened by discovering the heart of a woman. I love how this book begins by depicting a woman’s heart not from earthly standards, but from God’s perspective.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverb 4:23) and “God created man in his own image… male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27). I especially love these Bible verses used in the chapter, because they strongly acknowledge God’s intention in creating a woman.

God created women in His own image, and these verses explain His intention beautifully by describing women as God’s image bearer. I believe the women in this society, including myself, need to be conscious that their deepest desire comes from God, and that worldly beauty standards can never change who they are as a woman, created in God’s image.

In this same chapter, I enjoyed how the author describes a woman’s true beauty is from her depth of character by referencing Proverb 11:22, “Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion.” I love how the author confirms through this verse that a woman’s outward appearances can never accurately demonstrate her true worth and beauty, but what comes from her inner soul that reveals it.

I hope that this verse empowers young women to be courageous and aware of their real value, that it comes from the loving heavenly Father who created them. That women would view themselves as beautiful because they were created by God, not because of what their outward appearances look like or what they observe as beautiful and perfect on the media.

Later on in the book, the authors look at where God promises women that regardless of how their they have been injured, God’s healing is always there for them.

This divine promise of recovery is affirmed through the verse of Zechariah 9:16-17, “The Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. The will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown. How attractive and beautiful they will be.”

I love the promise coming from this verse, where God strongly declares that He will rescue His people and make them beautiful as the way He initially created them. This verse was a great reminder for me, because now that I know my pains will disappear by His loving power and healing.

I truly hope this verse and this section of the book can also be an encouragement to women everywhere. I hope they will learn and trust that their worth and beauty come from God, and lean into Him for recovery from the hurt that they’ve endured.

Overall, “Captivating” is a beautiful affirmation of the true worth and beauty of a woman. This book has taught me that women are beautiful and valuable because they are gorgeously created in God’s image, their worth and real beauty come from who God created them to be and from the depth of her heart.

With this lesson in mind, I hope that this book is an empowerment to all of the young ladies in this world, that they would view themselves positively, cherish their true beauty in who they are and secure their hearts, because they are endlessly loved by a God who made them beautifully.