Inner Beauty:
Take the 30 Day "I Am Beautiful" Challenge!

In a world that defines "beautiful" as skinny, tanned and trimmed, it's much too easy to feel like we don't measure up to the status co. Have you ever felt insecure or unlovely? We all have!

As girls, it's important to remember where our beauty really comes from.

Celebrating our unique inner beauty and outer beauty is what Crown of Beauty Magazine is all about!

This 30 day event reminds you with small daily tasks and projects to embrace and celebrate your unique individuality and unfading inner beauty! 

Every girl is beautiful, simply because she has been made. Everything God has created is glorious. You are beautiful. It is a fact, set in stone and can never be changed. The only thing that be changed, is whether you believe it or not.

Will You Take The "I Am Beautiful" Challenge?

This challenge is totally free and anyone can participate in these activities. You will not be held accountable to follow through each day. Though I recommend doing every daily activity, it isn't required.

Many of our readers  kicked off the New Year, 2013 with this challenge. So many girls made New Years resolutions, trying to get skinner, exercise more, or change their appearances. But the girls at Crown of Beauty Magazine chose to embrace who we are today and spread the message with all our friends! 

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day One

In the morning, write on a sticky note, "You are beautiful!"

Place it on your bathroom mirror as a reminder for you and all the ladies in your house that you are a stunning creation!

That afternoon, place a sticky note with the same positive message in a public bathroom mirror for others to see!  You can post it at school, Wal-Mart, or a restaurant.

How creative can you get with your message? Will you color it with a purple sharpie, share a quote, song lyrics, or other beautiful words?

Share the message of beauty with those around you! Your note will be sure to brighten someone's day!

For extra fun, take a picture of your beautiful sticky note and post it on FB, Twitter, or any other social media website and share with your friends!

Being beautiful isn't just about embracing your own self worth...it's about helping someone else find theirs!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Two

In the morning, before you get out of bed, reach for your Bible and read Psalm 139.

Think about how much fun God must've had creating you! Reflect on the careful thought that God put into creating every detail. He lovingly crafted your personality, your hair color and your laugh!

If you were to to count the thoughts He thinks toward you- they would out number the grains of sand on the seashore! Wow!

He is with you every second of every day, and He never grows tired of being with you! He delights in every moment spent with you.

Read Psalm 139 again when you crawl in bed tonight. Let His reaffirming words sing you to sleep...

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Three

Hollywood offers a glossy, Photoshopped image of what beauty is supposed to be. The only problem with that image? It's not real.

This music video by Christian recording artist Jonny Diaz, displays what happens when two girls discover just how "made up", magazine covers really are.

Today, listen to "A More Beautiful You" and let the lines of the chorus sink in,

"You were made to fill a purpose that only you can do. There could never be a more beautiful you."

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Four

In a world that is obsessed with outward appearances, Catlin knows all too well about the pressure girls feel to be perfect.

Like all revolutionaries, instead of just standing on the sidelines, she decided to do something about it.

So she started, Operation Beautiful.

It was a simple idea, with a powerful result.

The idea?

Posting sticky notes with positive messages about our beauty as girls, in public places.

Maybe you've seen one of these colorful notes posted onto your locker, or the bathroom mirror in Target.

It's a simple message, “You are beautiful!”

But girls all across the nation are embracing Catlin's idea with open arms, posting these sticky notes everywhere, brightening someone's day, and reminding those who struggle with self-harm, and self-hate to stop comparing themselves with others.

You can join the revolution by sticking post it notes with perky messages, Bible verses, or a simple note that says: “Smile, you're beautiful!” Then write the site's address on the bottom: www.operationbeautiful.com

Many girls have discovered this website through a note, then found help, encouragement, and hope.

Today, I invite  you to check out Catlin's website and share it with a friend!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Five

Beautiful words help strengthen the soul. Have you ever felt encouraged by poetry, song lyrics or a page of quotes?

Beautiful words plant seeds of hope in our mind, and help color our thoughts with meaningful things.

Philippians 4:8 says:

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

Today, check out this inspiring page of quotes at: http://www.loveyourflawz.com/inspiring-qquotesq.html

Be encouraged, share with friends, and you might even find some new ideas for messages to write on your "beautiful" sticky notes! 

Beauty Tip of the Day:
"For attractive lips,
Speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes,
Seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure,
Share your food with the hungry.
For beautiful hair,
Let a child run his/her fingers through it once a day.
For poise,
Walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
People, even more than things,
Have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed,
And redeemed; never throw out anyone."
             ~Audry Hepburn.

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Six

Let these words of truth sink in deep! Today, let God speak to Your heart as you listen to "Beautiful" by MercyMe.

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Seven

Today, spend some time alone with yourself.

As girls, we spend time with whoever is most important to us. Our friends, family, and God.

But when do we take some much needed self time, and just chill with ourselves?

It might sound like a funny concept, but it's important to learn how to be friends with ourselves.

Being comfortable and confident in who we are, and learning to enjoy and cherish ourselves in a healthy way, is extremely important. Jesus said we are to love others, as we love ourselves.  (Mark12:31.)

How can we love others if we hate ourselves?

Many girls are uncomfortable being alone with themselves. They feel shame, fear, and kayos in their minds. They strongly dislike themselves, and don't trust themselves.

God delights in us as His daughters, and it's okay to feel His pleasure about who you are! It's more than okay to be a friend to yourself! In fact, you should like who you are!

Understanding your own unique beauty helps you SEE beauty around you. It helps you love others, esteem them, and never throw anyone away.

Today, take a little time to slip away, close the door to your bedroom, turn off the music, your cell phone, and sit quietly with yourself and the Lord.

If you're feeling ashamed, afraid, or worried, talk to God about it! He is more than eager to listen and respond!

I challenge you to grab a piece of paper and write down everything you enjoy about yourself. That's right, it's time to record all your positive characteristics. Inner, and outer features. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing?

Alarms might start going off in your head. You might think, "This is so prideful! I'm not going to sit down and write out my praises! This is so wrong!"

You're not writing your praises, and the purpose of today's challenge isn't to puff up your pride.

You are God's stunning, unique, one of a kind, masterpiece. There is no one else just like you out there. You bring something totally special and never seen or experienced before to this earth.

You are writing God's praises. You are thanking Him for the bright, brilliant, beautiful girl that He has made you to be! It's all to His glory, every inch of you.

Someone must record the unique attributes of who you are. Just like someone would describe a painting, or a beautiful song, you are a creation that God adores! He would love for you to realize what a wonderful job He did designing you.

So today, take some time to think and record, and give your Creator glory for doing such a fantastic job with you!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Eight

Congrats on completing a full week of the "I Am Beautiful Challenge"! Way to go girl!

Today, listen to this beautiful song by talented sisters from the band Everlife. 

Have you been fighting with the girl in the mirror? Remember Who defines what's beautiful!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Nine

Six years ago I attended my first Superchic[K] concert. The high energy, girl empowering, power packed lyrics of truth sang their way into my heart. Superchic[K]'s messages of hope and encouragement have helped shape me into the girl I am now.

Today, listen to "So Beautiful" by Superchic[K].

Let the lyrics start a revolution in your heart. May you run with an unquenchable flame of determination, setting captives free with this truth...every girl is so beautiful!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Ten

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—
think about such things." Philippians 4:8

What are you thinking about today?

Is your mind filled with lovely, pure, admirable, praiseworthy things?

Or have you been fretting about tests and teachers? Are you worried about issues with friends and family? Does your mind feel devastatingly unlovely as you look at all the things in your life that you don't have, such as a thin waistline, or a cute boyfriend?

Sometimes, our minds can feel like an absolute amusement park! We fly all over the place from one place to the next, never able to find peace and contentment. 

Sometimes we spend our days thinking about all the wrong things, everything we don't have, can't fix, and will never be...

Girl, you've thought like that long enough for one day!

Ready to change your mind?

Today, ask the Lord to help you set your mind on Him and all that is truly beautiful.

Psalm 36:9 says, "For with You is the fountain of life, in Your light we see light."

Only when we fix our eyes (and our thoughts) on the One who is beautiful, can we begin to see beauty around us and in us!

Today, slip away from the hectic kayos of your  mind, and ask God to give you His mindset about things. Ask Him what He thinks! About life. About you.

His perspective is the only One that matters, and is totally freeing!

After spending some one on one time with your Maker (I suggest reading Philippians 4),
make a list of everything you find beautiful in your life. That's right.

What do you find lovely?

The flowers, the ocean, puppy dogs, kind hearts... whatever you think is stunning.

Whatever is pure, lovely, admirable...

Make a list of things that will brighten up your mind and your heart as you think about them.

Thank God for making beautiful things, and for making you.

Beautiful, you.

"He has made everything beautiful in it's time..."
~Ecclesiastes 3:11

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Eleven

Tonight, return to Psalm 139. Read it in several different versions and paraphrases.

Write your favorite verse/s on a sticky note and post them in the bathroom. Or, share them with with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.

Listen to how vivid and exciting these words are in the Message Paraphrase:

"Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out;
    you formed me in my mother’s womb.
I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking!
    Body and soul, I am marvelously made!
    I worship in adoration—what a creation!
You know me inside and out,
    you know every bone in my body;
You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,
    how I was sculpted from nothing into something.
Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth;
    all the stages of my life were spread out before you,
The days of my life all prepared
    before I’d even lived one day." (vs 13-16.)

David praised the Lord for the unique way he was made.

Have you thanked God yet today, for making you...you?

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Twelve

Do you recall the beloved fairytale, Cinderella? Maybe you can relate with the girl sitting by the cinders.

Hated with passion by her frowning Step Mother and absurd step sisters, poor Cinderella's only friends were the sweet little blue birds.

There are days when a girl can feel like the radio is her only friend. Songs have the power to lift our spirits, remind us of important messages, and simply let us know that we're not alone.

Cinderella loved to sing with the birds, despite her stormy circumstances.

Do you have an "Evil Step Mother" who makes you feel like nothing you do will ever be enough?

Maybe your Evil Step Mother is your mirror, your so called friends, the movies you watch, or the magazines you read.

The problem with lies is that if we hear them enough, we begin to believe they are true.

Today, I want to remind you of the truth. You are spectacular. You bring something to this world that no one else does. You're irreplaceable. You're desirable and adorable. You're worthy of being loved and appreciated!

If you have an Evil Step Mother in your life, someone or something that makes you feel less than you should be...remember how Cinderella's story ends.

She becomes the girl that she never knew she was...a Princess. All her midnight dreams become a daytime reality.

She wasn't the ugly, worthless, cinder-scooping loser her Mother told her she was all her life.

Her mother was lying.

Those words didn't have a speck of truth in them.

That is the wonderful thing about lies...they are totally fabricated. We don't have to believe them! They have nothing to do with us! Lies from the enemy simply tell us how intimidated our enemy is.

Just like Cinderella's Step Mom, the enemy sees your potential. He sees that you are a beautiful Princess who has captured the heart of a Prince. He knows that you will change this world and finish your story with a happily ever after.

The enemy knows Cinderella's potential. Therefore, he shoots toxic lies into our minds, telling us all sorts of nonsense about ourselves, our bodies, and our our dreams.

Dear Cinderella, please don't ever forget the truth.

You can sing with the birds, grinning, crooning your victory tune over the enemy's pathetic lies, 

"All you are is mean."

Today, listen to "Mean" by Taylor Swift and refuse to believe the enemy's lies! All he is...
is mean.

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Thirteen

We have spent the past few weeks learning to appreciate our own unique inner beauty and outer beauty.

Today, it's time to take some of love God has poured into our hearts and sprinkle it onto our friends!

Choose a friend that you'd like to share some sparkly nuggets of truth with.

Ready to spread some beautiful diamonds of joy around?

Today, write a letter to a friend, listing all the reasons why she makes a beautiful friend.

Relive memories, use scripture verses, quotes or even share something you've learned from this challenge!

Let her know that she is a beautiful person, who has made your life more beautiful.

For an extra special touch, hand write the note and send it in the mail.

She will be thrilled to find a letter from you in her mailbox instead of her inbox!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Fourteen

Yesterday, you reached out to a friend and told her that her friendship has made your life more beautiful.

Today, it's all about YOU girl!

Take a day off to pamper yourself. That's right, pour bath salts into the tub, grab a good book, brew some coffee or hot tea and relaxxxxxx.

Listen to your favorite music. Treat yourself to a chocolate bar or bowl of ice cream. Call a friend. Snuggle with your puppy. Watch a chick-flick.

Do something that makes you feel loved and pampered!

Paint your nails, or look up a fun new hairstyle to try.

Remind yourself that it's okay to enjoy and appreciate who you are.

Today, celebrate all the unique features that make you...you!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Fifteen

Today, be inspired and encouraged as you read about Julia Blumm.

This fourteen year old girl isn't fooled by what she sees on magazine covers. Knowing that not all girls were created with Barbie-like proportions, she set out to do something about it.

She realized that we girls are bombarded with fantasy images of what women are "supposed" to look like.

The only problem?

Nobody really looks like that.

Starting a campaign an online campaign, Julia wrote a proposal for Seventeen magazine, asking to include photos that were not touched by the magic-wand. Airbrushed photographs that have been edited by the computer are very deceptive.

Did you know that Photoshop can chop away at a woman's hips, smooth out her lips, and highlight her hair?

Real girls, want to see other real girls, she campaigned. Julia's proposal quickly reached a jaw-dropping 25,000 signatures.

“Instead of looking at computer-edited pictures of girls, and wishing we looked like them,” Julia reminded us, “we should roll our eyes and say 'well, you're fake, and I'm not. I don't need a computer to be beautiful. I'm already beautiful."

The sudden mass of signatures quickly grabbed the media's attention, and also the attention of Seventeen Magazine.

Although Seventeen has not agreed to make any major changes to their magazines or models, they've spent time talking with Julia,  admiring her choice to take a stand.

Julia's friend, Izzy, and fellow activist said that she loved Seveteen but commented,
"it's really ironic to see pages telling you to love your body right next to advertisements that are sending subliminal messages about changing your body."

Julia has made waves in the media pool, drawing attention to the flaws on the seemingly flawless billboard of Hollywood.

Though she may not have reached her ultimate goal yet, every revolution begins with one voice.

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Sixteen

Today, remember to pray for every girl who is struggling to appreciate her beauty and self worth.

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Seventeen

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, have I got it?

'Cause mirror you've always told me who I am..."

Who defines you?

Parents? Friends? The media? Yourself?

It would be easy to say, "I define myself! I can be whoever I want to be!"

But if you would like to know who defines a human...you must ask the Potter. Don't ask the clay.

"Does the clay say to the potter,
    ‘What are you making?’
Does your work say,
    ‘The potter has no hands’?"(Isaiah 45:9)

Have you ever stood in front of the mirror and quietly created a list of everything that's wrong with you?

We must remember that every-time we complain about how the Lord has made us, we are basically saying..

"Hey God! I don't like how you made me and I think you could've done a lot better!"

It's like we're saying, Why did you make me like this?"

Have you ever created something, a story, song or painting that you absolutly adored? How would you feel if someone marched into the room and started telling you everything wrong with it?

Uh, heartbroken!

God wants us to appreciate our beauty because He spend so much time and energy into designing us just the way he wanted.

Today remember that you are not a mistake. The mirror does not define you. Your Creator does! Find out what He says about you! Listen to "Mirror" by BarlowGirl and ask Him to show you what He thinks about who He has made you to be!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Eighteen

Today, I invite you to listen to a song that I wrote and recorded called "Valuable."

I pray these lyrics touch your heart, stir your soul and draw you closer to your Creator and Savior.

She stands alone with her back against the wall
Too afraid to move she doesn't want to fall again
Feels so unloved like no one cares
She longs for help but she's too scared
Oh the whispers of doubt

Say she's not enough never worthy of love
And that her breaking heart isn't good enough
Oh the shadows of pain come pouring down like rain
But her heart aches to break the chains
Take a breath of freedom once again
But it's tough oh it's tough

She believes that she's unbeautiful
And so she's chosen not to eat
And as those lies hold her hostage
She feels so cheap
Oh the whispers of doubt

The pain of worthlessness is painful
And for her it's just too hard to bear
As she cuts the knife into her arm she cries
God are you there?
Oh the whispers of doubt

One day her Prince came riding in
The One who washed away her sin
He took her hands and held them close
Promised never to let go
He said I want you to know

That you're valuable oh so valuable
You're beautiful and wonderful
And you were bought with a price
By the blood from My own side
And My heart aches to let you know
That I am never letting go of you
Ohhh....

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Nineteen

Beautiful Lies
There are days when we wake up and struggle with the mirror. We might dislike our zits, think we need a haircut, or wish our teeth were a little bit straighter and whiter. We might complain about our hair but at the end of the day we love who we are.

Sadly, this is not the case for all girls. There are thousands of young ladies who dislike themselves so much, they go to great extents to change who they are. They take dangerous steps in the wrong direction, forcing their bodies to suffer because of lies whispered into their minds.

These girls have believed lies for so long, they are absolutely certain the lies are true. Believing that you are wretched and ugly is a devastating thing to believe.

Many girls attempt to starve their own bodies in a heartbreaking effort to become "thinner." Doctors call this "anorexia." When a girl becomes so obsessed with ways to avoid eating, she is constantly keeping track of what she has eaten or won't eat later. This is an obsessive attitude and is very dangerous. The human body was never meant to starve. When a girl does this to herself, she begins to have serious medical problems.

Anorexia is an eating disorder and not something to be messed around with. Many girls think they are merely going on a "diet". But starving herself is not a diet. It's a sickness.

Girls who behave like this can end up doing serious damage to their bodies or even wind up in the hospital.

This absolutely breaks my heart. How could a girl so fully believe the lie, "you are ugly" and let it consume her heart, mind, body and life?

Today, listen to "Courage" by Superchic[K]. Melissa, guitarist and vocalist of the band Superchic[K] understands just what these girls struggle with. She used to have an eating disorder as a teenager. This song is about her struggle to find courage and hope and how she was brave enough to get help.

What If I Have An Eating Disorder?

If you struggle with food, find yourself skipping meals or throwing up after you eat in attempts to become "thinner"...don't be ashamed. Right now in this dark place you feel like you don't want anyone to know what's going on. But secrets are walls that keep us alone. They keep us trapped. It's so important that you tell someone what's going on.

Beautiful one, this is not your fault. You've been lied to. You've believed and embraced lies and they have given you a false perception of yourself. Don't be ashamed!

It's scary now but you must tell an adult that you trust. Do it tonight. Don't go to bed without doing it.
It might seem terrifying to have your secret self-hatred out in the open but there are people around you who love you and want to help.

Take a deep breath. Draw courage from listening to this song. Simply tell an adult that you trust that you're not eating like you should and you think you need help.

What If Someone I Know Has An Eating Disorder?
First of all, don't jump to conclusions.
Learn the facts. Ask yourself these questions about her.

Is she refusing to eat when I'm around?

Does she play with her food cut it up to make it look like she's eaten more or throw food away?

Does she always say, "I'm not hungry"?

Has she mentioned anything about feeling fat, ugly, or not beautiful?

Does she exercise all the time, even though she doesn't need to?

Does she always say that she's already eaten before she comes over?

Is she sick a lot of the time?

Is she always wearing baggy clothes 'cause she believes that she doesn't look pretty in anything else?

Does she act super sensitive whenever you mention food?

If you feel like your friend is behaving like this it's very important to talk to a parent or someone you trust now. You're not going to help her if you keep this to yourself.
If you're worried about her tell someone. She has a problem that isn't her fault, but she can't get out of it alone. She's going to need the help of adults.

What If She Made Me Promise Not To Tell?   
There are some promises that must be broken. This is one of them.
If you love your friend, you'll help her help herself.
She might not tell anyone because she feels embarrassed, lost, or lonely.
She will be angry with you at first for telling. But once she gets help and starts down the long path of healing, she will thank you for being a true friend.

Today, remember to pray for every girl who struggles with her self image.

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Twenty

Today, meet the Cimorelli sisters! Christiana, Katherine, Lisa, Amy, Lauren and Dani. Six home-schooled girls from California who are lighting up with internet with their positive bubblegum pop messages! Check out their cover of the popular, "What Makes You Beautiful" by One Direction.

The Cimorelli sisters are all about spreading positive, upbeat messages, telling girls they are beautiful!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge"
Day Twenty-One

Today, I challenge you to go a whole day without wearing makeup! That's right, let your natural beauty shine.
Don't "put on a face" for the world to see. Instead, be confident and let your inner beauty be what makes you glow today!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge"
Day Twenty-Two

As girls, we are constantly bombarded with messages about where our beauty comes from. The world tells us that our value depends on our outer appearances, our social status, boyfriend status or how "famous" we are.

Believing God's truth instead of the worlds opinion (which tells us we need to buy the right makeup to be attractive) is hard to do.

We know the truth but sometimes it's hard to keep on believing and ignore the lies.

Today, I want you to be encouraged.

You might feel like you're the "one and lonely" but you are not the "one and only!"

Believing you are beautiful just the way you are is not a popular thing to do.  But there are many girls out there who have chosen to believe this truth! You are not the only one!

Kudos on joining this challenge and choosing to believe the truth. As hard as that may be.

We all have days when we struggle through insecurity, but those days don't last forever.

Today, listen to "One and Lonely" by Superchic[K] and remember that you're NOT alone!

Inner Beauty:
"I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Twenty-Three

Today, Text, Tweet, message or call a friend and tell her that she is beautiful!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge"
Day Twenty-Four

Today, listen to this song by Matthew West and be encouraged! I pray that the words will help you remember how special you are to Christ!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge"
Day Twenty-Five

Today, do something fun and different with your hair! Search for hair tutorials on YouTube, or Google for cute new hairstyles! Do something out of the box and enjoy getting dolled up for the day!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge"
Day Twenty-Six

Today, watch one of your favorite girl-empowering chick flicks! Princess Diaries, Cinderella, Tangled and Princess Protection Program are some of my favs! Call your gal-pals and enjoy a fun afternoon with your sisters in Christ!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge"
Day Twenty-Seven

Today, reach for your sticky notes and write yourself a powerful message.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4

Post it on your bathroom mirror and remember where your beauty comes from!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge"
Day Twenty-Eight

Kylie's craziest midnight dreams were coming reality. There she was, backstage doing her makeup, getting ready for the biggest break of her modeling career at a Victoria's Secret casting.

For Kylie, this was big stuff.

Only models with the most luxurious bodies wind up striking poses for Victoria's Secret. She had gone so far in the pursuit of her dreams!

Kylie's younger cousin was watching her do her makeup in the mirror.

Kylie said, “She looked at me and was like, ‘You know, I think I want to stop eating so I can look like you. '"

Those words broke Kylie's heart. She couldn't help but wonder...was this modeling thing really what God wanted her to be doing?

Kylie shared on her blog,

"It just broke my heart because she looks up to me and I didn’t want to be that type of person that thought she had to do that to be beautiful. Thousands of girls that think that being beautiful is an outer issue and really it’s a heart issue."


This Victoria's Secret model suddenly had a change of heart.

“The further I fell into the dark hole of 'satans playground' the more insecure and unhappy I became, and then something amazing happened! The Lord graciously opened my eyes and saved me from the love of worldliness that was taking over me. He brought me to a place in my life of realization and truth! He reshaped my desires for my life, and showed me that my body is a temple and was created to be honoring Him in all things, epically in marriage and in being an example to younger girls! I decided to make some changes in the path I was headed down."

Kylie chose to stop conforming to this worlds idea of beauty. Instead, she told her younger cousin, and all her fans where beauty really lies...in the heart. To back up her words, she hung up her Victoria's Secret angel wings and chose to stop modeling for men's magazines.

Way to go Kylie!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge"
Day Twenty-Nine

Disney starlet Demi Lovato was all too familiar with the the reflection in her mirror. She hated herself.

Every night, after signing autographs, grinning for the cameras, and blowing kisses to screaming fans...Demi was alone with herself. And she hated it.

She couldn't see the beautiful, bright, adorable girl the world had come to adore. Instead she only saw ugliness and punished herself for it.

She skipped meals, starved herself, threw up in the bathroom and even hurt herself on purpose to show how ashamed she was of the girl God made.

Demi had finally reached her breaking point. She was in an inky pit of depression and she could no longer see the truth. Friends and family stepped in and urged her to get help. She checked herself into a rehab center, which specialized in helping girls who believe they are un-beautiful.

It's been a long and terrible road for Demi...but slowly, day by day, little by little she is starting to believe the truth.

Demi is beautiful.

A year later, with treatment behind her and her whole future ahead of her, she's determined to speak up for other girls who feel the same way. She has inspired millions of young girls to be honest about how they feel about themselves, and to get help if needed.

She has made it her mission to tell every girl that she is fearfully and wonderfully made!

Demi isn't perfect...she still has hard days, days when she forgets the truth...but she is stronger than she was in years past and believes that she can make a difference.

Don't forget to pray for Demi as she continues to share this truth with girls...we are beautiful just the way we are!

Today, listen to Demi's song, "Believe In Me" and let the words encourage you. Then pray for Demi as she carries on with this message. Pray that the Lord will use her in mighty ways!

Inner Beauty: "I Am Beautiful Challenge" Day Thirty

It's easy to get discouraged when our imperfections are thrown in front of us daily.

Wanna know a secret? You're not supposed to be perfect. Not yet anyway. Why? Because God is not finished with you yet!  You are a work in progress!

"Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
-Philippians 1:6

You're not finished yet...but that's okay. Have you been following along with this 30 day challenge and still don't feel like you understand how beautiful and valuable you are? That's okay.

We are all learning just what it means to be the apple of God's eye...to be fearfully and wonderfully made! Some days you may believe it more than others. But it is always true.

So today, kick back, celebrate and trust the Master Artist who is not quite finished with you yet!

Listen to "Getting Closer" by Everlife.