“I’m so fat.” “I don’t like my nose.” “I wish I was taller.” Our dissatisfaction with what we see in the mirror is what Barb Roose calls our ugly struggle with beauty. It’s a struggle that negatively affects not only our self-image and self-esteem but also our relationships with God and others. What is the answer? We desperately need to regain God's perspective on beauty. During this six-week Bible study, women will unpack the beliefs or experiences that are holding them hostage. Together they will explore God's truth about beauty throughout the Scriptures, digging into passages in both the Old and New Testaments and applying the truths in their lives. They will move away from over-focusing on unrealistic expectations and perceived flaws toward God’s viewpoint of their hearts, minds, bodies and souls. As women make this journey, they will: Be set free from the trap of comparison and self-ridicule Become comfortable in their own skin Reach beyond themselves to encourage and support other women By learning to see the goodness, blessing, and purpose for their bodies no matter their size, shape, or style, women will overcome discontent and comparison and learn to live fully as the beautifully unique creations God designed them to be. The participant workbook includes five days of lessons for each week, combining study of Scripture with personal reflection, application, and prayer. Other components for the Bible study, available separately, include a Leader Guide, DVD with six 19-28 minute sessions, and boxed Leader Kit (an all-inclusive box containing one copy of each of the Bible study’s components). Explore God’s truth about beauty throughout the Scriptures. Barb Roose is a popular speaker and author who enjoys teaching and encouraging women at conferences and events across the country, including the Aspire Women’s Events, She Speaks, and many more. She is the author of three books, Surrendered Devotional , Winning the Worry Battle , and Enough Already , and five Bible studies, Breakthrough , Surrendered , I’m Waiting, God , Joshua , and Beautiful Already . Barb blogs regularly at BarbRoose.com and hosts the “Better Together” Facebook Live events and podcast. Barb lives in Toledo, Ohio, is a proud empty nest mom of three adult children. Beautiful Already Reclaiming God's Perspective on Beauty By Barbara L. Roose Abingdon Press Copyright © 2016 Abingdon Press All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-5018-1354-2 Contents About the Author, Introduction, Week 1: All Aboard the Struggle Bus, Week 2: Defining Divine Beauty, Week 3: Celebrating What We See, Week 4: Gentle and Quiet Beauty, Week 5: Winning Our Ugly Struggle, Week 6: Discovering Your Beauty Balance, Notes, My Beauty Narrative, CHAPTER 1 Week 1 ALL ABOARD THE STRUGGLE BUS Memory Verse "The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7) This Week's Theme Where there is shame, we will struggle to find beauty. I don't know about you, but facing myself in the bathroom mirror first thing in the morning is a challenging way to start the day. After spending six to eight hours in a blissful semiconsciousness, my face and body need time and a shower to "come alive" again. The first glance in the mirror is a rough sight to take in. Seriously, sometimes I wonder if I got into a fistfight overnight! I survey my wild hair, droopy eyes, and flat expression. Though I know that thirty minutes and a shower will make a huge difference, that first glance causes me to ask questions that are really quiet fears: • Can cellulite spread overnight? • Is that a new wrinkle? • What's that flapping under my arms? • Does so-and-so look this bad in the morning? I wish that I could say those questions wash down the drain once I take my morning shower. Not really. Those questions are the offspring of two larger questions that I've grappled with over a lifetime — questions that I believe confront all women at every age and stage of life: • Am I beautiful already? • Am I enough? Even if you aren't into hair, nails, clothes, or shoes, you've probably been challenged by these questions at one time or another. The inability to say yes to these two questions reflects our ugly struggle with beauty. This struggle isn't about how we look; it's about how we think and live in response to our perception of beauty. We desperately need to regain God's perspective on beauty! This week we embark on a journey to be free of our ugly struggle with beauty. It's time we learn to live at peace with our bodies. In order to do this, we need to start at the beginning. How did the struggle begin? Why do we struggle to believe that we are beautiful already and beautiful enough just as God made us? Are you ready to get started? Day 1: How Our Struggle Began Beauty Mark We all struggle with beauty. Beauty Regimen If we're going to investigate the origins of our ugly stru