Outside appearance is not what God looks at

Many people struggle with their body image. Their appearance is more important to them than anything else. In fact, many people do not appreciate the way they are. This ever-growing weakness, especially among girls and women, brings feelings of bitterness, with people wondering if God gave them fewer blessings than others.
With the advance of science, it is now possible to change the way some parts of your body look. A simple cosmetic procedure can make one gain confidence from the appreciative looks they get as they walk down the streets.
According to Pastor Victor Ivan Yiga of Life in Christ Church Kyebando, external appearance has the potential to determine how someone lives their life. “The world no doubt has its wisdom; and outward appearance in the eyes of the world is crucial. However, the wisdom of the world is not of God. We must look to God such that the power in His Word uplifts, encourages and delivers anyone struggling with this weakness.”

The wisdom of God
Though the world focuses on outward beauty, God looks deeper than that. “The Bible says that every one of us is beautiful because we are created by God, in His image,” Yiga says, adding that God has made everything beautiful in its time.
Sheikh Yahaya Kakungulu, the head of Sharia at Gadaffi Mosque, says it is important for people who are not satisfied with their bodies to remember that God is our Maker. “He made you the way you are, your unique colour, shape, hair and facial features. In His eyes, you are beautiful no matter what society says. He says in the Quran 95:4: Surely, we have created the human being in the finest stature.
He adds that God fashioned each person while they were still in their mother’s womb, brought them into this world.

Inner beauty is lasting beauty
Wesley Itaagi, a Law student at Makerere University and a born-again Christian, advises Christians to be mindful of their internal beauty because that is what God judges. “Our interior beauty, the type that is often neglected by society, is the most important kind. Even the Bible stresses it in 1 Samuel 16.7. But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Don’t 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.”
Itaagi notes that people are often times deceived into thinking that wearing expensive perfume, makeup and jewelry, visiting the best hair dressers or even changing the appearance of particular body parts will make them feel beautiful. He advises those struggling with body appearance to instead focus on compassion, humility and gentleness if they are interested in entering the Kingdom of God.
“Believe what God’s Word declares about you and pay a deaf ear to what the world is telling you. Do not even follow your thoughts because such thoughts that make you have low esteem about yourself are from Satan, who is clearly described in the Bible as the father of all lies.”

Steps to victory
The first step to victory over low self-esteem is to completely surrender to God. He will help you overcome the weakness by the power of the Holy Spirit. Concentrate more on doing that which God requires you to do rather than struggling with outside appearances.