10 Bible Verses For When You Don’t Feel Beautiful (With Explanations!)

Have you ever looked in front of the mirror and started picking apart what you don’t like about yourself? Or sat down, felt a few rolls, and immediately believed you were overweight? Or perhaps you were scrolling through social media and saw photo after photo of flawless figures and started comparing yourself, while suddenly doubting any kind of worth you thought you once had?

I’ve been there, too, friend.

Since my friend and I started Image Ignited back in June, I’ve had to really dive in deep into what God and His Word says about our beauty and worth in His eyes. Honestly, it’s quite incredible and almost overwhelming to grasp just how valuable we are to Him and that we in return should give glory and gratitude back to our Creator because of that.

Here are 10 verses that I’ve read time and time again on beauty, our appearance, and worth with explanations. Copy/pasting a list of Scripture references is good, but if you’re really searching on the topic like I was- you need the why.

(FYI, about half of these explanations come from Zondervan’s Study Bible in its commentary section. I highly recommend having a Study Bible such as this, and I have a feeling you’ll see why…)

1. “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them.” – GENESIS 1:27

Because we bear God’s image, we can feel positive about ourselves. Criticizing or downgrading ourselves is criticizing what God has made and the abilities He has given us. Knowing that you are a person of worth helps you love God, know Him personally, and make a valuable contribution to those around you. (Zondervan)

2. “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – EPHESIANS 2:10

The word “workmanship” can also mean “art” or “masterpiece.” If God considers us His works of art, we dare not treat ourselves or others with disrespect or as inferior work. (Zondervan)

3. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” – 2 CORINTHIANS 4:16

Stressing out about getting older? Starting to see fine lines, wrinkles, gray hairs, and weaker bones? If there’s one thing we all have in common in this diverse world, it’s this: none of us are getting any younger, no matter how many procedures you undergo. The beautiful thing is that God uses that to our advantage. Even though our outer appearance may fade away over time, He renews us on the inside. Like they say, age is but a number!

4. “You give me Your shield of victory, and Your right hand sustains me; You stoop down to make me great.” – PSALM 18:35

“Jireh, what does this verse have to do with being beautiful?” Can you imagine for a second: the God of the Universe, the Creator of all living things, the One who has created time and has seen kingdom after kingdom, generation after generation; the Sovereign Lord who knows and sees everything, is everywhere, and is all powerful- desires to “stoop down” to make you great?? That is how valuable, wonderful, important, and, yep, you got it- beautiful- you are to Him.

5. “For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful. I know that full well.” – PSALM 139: 13, 14

God’s character goes into the creation of every person. When you feel worthless or even begin to hate yourself. Remember that God’s Spirit is ready and willing to work within you. We should have as much respect for ourselves as our Maker has for us. (Zondervan)

6. “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” – ECCLESIASTES 3:11

“Everything” includes you. Your birthday is an important day! You could have been born in any other decade, any other century. But in His own timetable, God wanted you to come into this world on your exact birth day. He made your grand entrance for whatever purpose He has set out for you in this life.

7. “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.” – GENESIS 1:31

God saw all that He had created- and it was very good. You are part of God’s creation, and He is pleased with how He made you. If at times you feel worthless or of little value, remember that God made you for a good reason. You are valuable to Him. (Zondervan)

8. “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, 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

One of the most go-to verses when someone wants to know what the Bible says about beauty, but it’s also one of the most misinterpreted. God’s Word isn’t saying “outward adornment” and wanting to look presentable is a bad thing. He’s saying that it shouldn’t be the main focus. What’s really beautiful and what He sees as great worth is what you look on the inside.

9. “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” – LUKE 12:7

Have you ever tried counting how many strands of hair you have on your head? I know I did when I was younger! But if you were to throw this trivia question to God, He wouldn’t hesitate the answer. Our true value is God’s estimate of our worth, not our peers’ estimate or the world’s.

10. “… The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 SAMUEL 16:7

Thankfully we don’t need to measure our beauty by the world’s standards. God judges by faith and character, not by appearances. And because God can see on the inside, only He can accurately judge people. Develop your inner character more than you spend time maintaining your outward appearance. (Zondervan)