When I was in high school, I carried myself with too much confidence. While I didn’t see it that way at the time, I now know that my confidence was rooted in pride, rather than a strong grasp of my own value and worth.

Years later when I was in college, my confidence plummeted to the ground as I battled with my body image for the first time ever (how I skipped that phase of adolescence, I have no idea). Not only did I have a negative view of my appearance, but I also had low self-esteem rooted in the self-imposed pressure to succeed at everything I set out to do. I was a mess, to say the least. The pendulum swung from one extreme to another, and I couldn’t seem to find the balance.

Some say that “confidence is the best accessory,” and while I agree to an extent, I’d argue that the statement is only true when our confidence is based on the right thing. Confidence and pride do not go together, but rather true confidence stands firmly on our understanding of who we are.

As a girl with an affinity for statement necklaces, I appreciate having the best accessories. And when it comes to confidence, I want the real deal. The kind that sparkles and shimmers and that people can’t help but notice. The beautiful kind, that is neither connected to my insecurities nor my pride. The kind that generates itself based on living an outward-focused life.

Want to be beautiful? Want to have real, deep and true confidence? It’s time for us to grasp our God-given identity and believe that nothing (and nobody) can take that away from us. Real confidence is rooted in our faith. Not only by believing in God, but by believing God when he tells us who we are and what we’re made for.

You are loved, you are cherished, you are valued, you are made for a purpose, you are worth more than you know. Have confidence in that.

Read the rest of the articles in the 6 part series “The Character of Beauty” here.

Photo Credit: http://pinterest.com/pin/209487820136540494/