Sojourner #047: What Makes You Beautiful - Redefining Beauty For Young Girls

“But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” (1 Peter 3:4)

Redefining Beauty for a Generation of Girls

In a world that relentlessly shapes and distorts the idea of beauty, Kristen Wetherell’s What Makes You Beautiful stands as a beacon of truth. This 20-day devotional for girls ages 9–12 is more than a feel-good guide to self-worth; it’s a powerful tool to help young girls see themselves through God’s eyes - defined by the beauty of the gospel, not by the fleeting standards of this world.

The need for this message has never been greater. Today’s culture is inundated with voices telling young girls to measure their worth by their looks, their popularity, or their social media presence. Everywhere they turn, they are bombarded with impossible ideals of perfection. Yet deep down, they know something’s missing. Wetherell understands this and writes with clarity and compassion, providing a refreshing contrast to the world’s beauty standards.

Beauty Defined by God’s Word, Not the World

The first devotional in this book immediately tackles the lie that beauty is found in external appearances or achievements. Wetherell asks, “Is true beauty defined by how you look? Is it based on the things you’re good at doing? Is beauty about how popular you are or your social media followers or the friendships you have?” The world would answer “Yes” to all of these. But What Makes You Beautiful redirects girls toward a deeper, more lasting truth:

“Let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” -1 Peter 3:4

This verse is just one of many that Wetherell uses to ground her message in Scripture. She reminds girls that God looks at the heart, not the outward appearance. True beauty isn’t about what can be seen - it’s about what God sees in the hidden places of our hearts. Wetherell’s reflections point to the fact that God’s view of beauty is not rooted in temporary, superficial things but in a heart that loves and fears Him.

Simple, Yet Profound Devotions

Each devotional is thoughtfully structured to be engaging and age-appropriate. It includes a key Bible verse, a brief reflection, and practical journaling prompts to help girls process what they’ve learned. The devotional style is not overwhelming, but it’s substantive enough to encourage deep thought. For example, in one section, Wetherell writes:

“God sees everything about you.
God says your heart matters most.
God wants you to have a beautiful heart.”

This simple yet powerful declaration encourages girls to focus not on their outward appearance but on cultivating hearts that are beautiful in God’s sight.

The journaling prompts also provide a valuable opportunity for girls to reflect and respond. The first chapter includes prompts like:

• What do you think makes you beautiful?

• When someone says, “You’re beautiful,” how does this make you feel?

• What do you hope to learn from this book?

These questions invite the reader to wrestle with their own feelings about beauty and identity, and to begin seeing those through a biblical lens.

A Book Grounded in Gospel Truth

In a culture saturated with messages that ultimately leave girls feeling empty, What Makes You Beautiful offers an antidote - one rooted in gospel truth. Wetherell doesn’t shy away from addressing the pain and confusion that comes from trying to meet the world’s impossible standards. She gently but firmly reminds young girls that their worth doesn’t come from fitting into a mold, but from being created in God’s image and redeemed through Jesus Christ.

The more they understand God’s love and beauty, the more they will begin to reflect that beauty in their own lives. As Wetherell writes:

“At the end of the day, what we long for is to be told ‘You’re beautiful’ by someone who really matters. Our verse today tells us who that ‘someone’ is: God, our beautiful Creator and Savior.”

This book emphasizes that true beauty is not based on appearance or accomplishment, but on the fact that we are loved and created by a good and gracious God. For young girls, especially those navigating the challenges of adolescence, these truths are not just comforting - they are life-changing.

A Kingdom Vision for Our Daughters

What Makes You Beautiful isn't just a devotional; it's a resource for parents, teachers, and church leaders to help raise up a generation of girls who understand their identity in Christ. In a culture where young girls are often told to look within or measure up to unrealistic standards, this book encourages them to look up - up to their Creator, who sees them as His beautiful masterpieces.

As Christina Fox, author of Who Are You? A Little Book About Your Big Identity, says:

“In our culture, outward beauty is sought after—no matter the cost. That’s why What Makes You Beautiful is timely and needed. Kristen Wetherell shows girls that real beauty is more than skin deep, and the source of that beauty is found in relationship with the one who makes us beautiful.”

This message is crucial for girls who are at a critical age, trying to figure out who they are in the face of competing narratives. Wetherell helps them understand that they are not defined by what the world says about them, but by who God says they are.

Praise for What Makes You Beautiful

Caroline Saunders, author of Better Than Life: How to Study the Bible and Like It, says:

“Undoubtedly, girls will connect with these clear teachings, eagerly engage with the journaling pages, and carry the truths of this book with them as they navigate the question we all sense within ourselves: Am I beautiful?”

Kathryn Butler, author of The Dream Keeper Saga and The Storyteller’s Bible, writes:

“Kristen Wetherell offers girls an alternative steeped in the true, the honorable, and the lovely. Her clear exposition of Scripture and poetic prose invite young women to draw up a chair, to ponder a while, and to marvel at the beauty of the risen Christ.”

Jessica Robyn Provencher, coauthor of Big Theology for Little Hearts series, says:

“Every little girl wants to be beautiful and to know her worth. What Makes You Beautiful begins by teaching who God is, what our purpose is, and where true beauty comes from. This book is a precious treasure for young girls, reminding them that lasting beauty comes from knowing and reflecting God’s love.”

Conclusion

What Makes You Beautiful is a gift for the next generation of girls, a vital resource for teaching them that their true beauty lies not in the fleeting standards of the world but in the everlasting love of God. In a time when culture is shaping young hearts and minds at every turn, Wetherell's message is a call to action - inviting girls to find their beauty in the gospel and to live out that beauty in a broken world. It’s a must-have for any young girl, and an essential tool for parents and teachers seeking to guide them in the truth.

We received a copy of this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.

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About Crossway:

Crossway is a not-for-profit Christian ministry that exists solely for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel through publishing and other means in order, by God’s grace:

• To bring men, women, and children to Christ as their Lord and Savior;
• To help individual Christians and the church grow in knowledge and understanding of the Christian life;
• To bear witness to God’s truth, beauty, and holiness, and to the Lordship of Christ in every area of life; and
• To glorify our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in every way.

Any surplus that may arise shall be used solely to further the ministry and shall not inure to the benefit of any individual. (Crossway)

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