Like many women, I struggle with my body image. When I don’t like what I see in the mirror, and I blame myself for it because of the things I’ve put in my mouth, I feel discouraged and unlovable.

In my head, I know that God looks on the heart and not on the outward appearance, but I somehow feel absolutely certain that the rest of the world is judging this book by its cover.

I was talking to God about this struggle, telling Him about my discouragement, about the fact that I don’t feel worthy to be loved. As I was thinking about that concept, I remembered that the literal meaning of the name Amanda in Latin is “worthy to be loved.”

I realized that Amanda is not, and has never been, God’s name for me. He sees me as Grace, one who has received His “unmerited favor.” He doesn’t love me because of my worthiness. He loves me because of His incredible, self-sacrificing grace. Because His love for me is based upon His love and mercy, I need to love and accept myself no matter how I look, because I know I am always treasured in the eyes of God.