Some researchers have claimed that Instagram is the worst social media platform for your mental health. While this may seem harsh, and Instagram has plenty of good uses, there is some truth to how the platform affects your mental health. Instagram is primarily an image-based social media platform, and much of what you see on it impacts your self-image. And, it’s not alone in what it does.

Instagram, cosmetic companies, the clothing industry, and celebrity culture all provide us with an unhealthy view of beauty. We take in this content and tell ourselves that these are the people who are beautiful or these are the things that make us beautiful. We tell ourselves we cannot be beautiful like them without using the same products or wearing the same clothing. 

This is a problem.

Beauty isn’t bad, the way we think about it is

Beauty is a good thing. There’s a reason why it sells so well. Beauty is attractive, and everyone wants to feel attractive; to feel liked or received by others. However, the beauty that is being sold by major brands or on social media is not attainable for most people. Using beauty this way isn’t a good thing. In fact, it may not even be considered beauty at all.

What is true beauty?

So, if it’s not physical appearance, then what is beauty? Well, brace yourself for the cliche, but beauty is something that comes from the inside. True beauty is the way that you behave toward yourself, toward others and toward God.

When you’re humble, when you’re honest, when you’re brave, when you love well . . . these are all things that make someone beautiful. Being physically attractive as well isn’t wrong, but exploiting it at the expense of making others feel less or to attract others to you instead of focusing on growing as a person is not healthy. 

God thinks you’re beautiful

“You created the deepest parts of my being. You put me together inside my mother’s body. How you made me is amazing and wonderful. I praise you for that.” (Psalm 139:13-14 NIRV) 

God created everyone in His image. With that, He provides us all with the means to be a beautiful person and live a beautiful life. 

At Unfiltered Radio, we believe that everyone is beautiful in their own way, and we reject the lies that are being pushed on us by the beauty industry. Check out our podcast series to hear more about what it is to be loved and accepted and viewed as beautiful by God.