Will everyone you meet appreciate your unique beauty?  Will they immediately recognize God’s signature touch on you?

Probably not.

You might get teased, dissed, or picked on about your appearance.  I’ll never forget my hairy-lip incident from JR. High.  These two guys at school came up to me in class and said, “Hey, we thought you were gonna be a woman, how come you’re growing a moustache?”  My heart hit the floor.  I wished for that moment that I was quick witted, able to strike back with, “Oh, hey, don’t worry.  When you grow up maybe you’ll have one, too.”  I’ve never been great with zingers.

You might get called names.  A teen girl recently e-mailed me about the horrible way she felt because some mean girls were calling her Gorilla Girl due to her hairy arms. Unfair.

You might get slammed by someone who thinks the world revolves around her and her alone.

How are you going to react to that?  You have the power to decide to let the rude comments and uncalled for actions penetrate your soul or pour off your back.

Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

That’s a command.  It’s not a suggestion.  It’s given for your protection.  If you let everything others say about you become part of you, you won’t like the results.

What will you choose to believe about yourself?  It matters.

As he thinks within himself, so is he…

Proverbs 23:7 (NASB)

Guard your heart! When someone hurls an insult or the evil eye your way, it can sting.  Deal with hurt by talking it out with a friend, writing it out in your journal, then praying it out to the Lord.  Share it with an adult — a parent, mentor, youth worker, coach — to get a different perspective and some sound advice.  Choose to forgive so you won’t develop a bitter heart.  And forget about revenge.  Instead, pray for the person who hurt you!

I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. 

2 Kings 20:5 (NIV)

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves
those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

Andrea Stephens is the author of the B.A.B.E. Books and Beauty Editor of BRIO Magazine for teen girls.