I’ve been making an effort to get in better shape, dear readers, and I’ve found a supportive community both online and amongst my friends. If I feel like skipping a workout, all I have to do is look through my social media accounts and I will see pictures of friends and even those I don’t know working hard at their health goals. Lifting weights, doing yoga, going for a run — you name it, they’re out there rocking it out.

That part of social media is great. The support and compassion you find there is second to none.

However, dear friends, there is also something else you’ll see pretty rampantly these days on social media. For example, if you search for “body positivity” on social media, you’ll see tons and tons of pictures of ladies without much clothing on. All different women, but they’re all doing the same thing. Don’t get me wrong, they’re lovely ladies and I’m sure they’re wonderful people — but in just one second, I’ve gotten to see more of them than I should in even a lifetime.

Or, more often than not, it will just show up on your newsfeed.

People are promoting this idea that taking your clothes off for pictures means that you’re “body positive.” I get it, you’re owning your own body and feeling confident. I understand you’re making a statement. That’s all well and good, but you might want to stop and think about what you are using to make that statement.

Your body is your own, secret, God-endowed vehicle in this world. It’s an expression of you that no one else can ever have. We were wonderfully and fearfully made, as it says in Psalm 139:14. Ladies, we must know how intrinsically valuable we are in the eyes of God. We are beautiful, mysterious, strong and enabled to do so many things by our loving God. (Remember, like Pastor Corey says, “Whoa-man.”)

If you look a little further in that Psalm, it goes on to say in verse 15: “My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.” If our bodies, our selves were “intricately woven in the depths of the earth,” how much should we value and cherish them?

I know I probably sound like a little old lady waving her cane in the street telling all you “young whippersnappers” to put some clothes on, but I also know it’s just a band-aid for your feelings. I know what it feels like to feel like your body isn’t the right type of body. I’ve never been a bean pole and I certainly have never fit into the “trendy clothes.”

I know how much it hurts to look in the mirror and not feel beautiful.

I also know that taking pictures of yourself in skimpy outfits isn’t going to fill that void.

Let’s be body positive. Let’s love ourselves for all that we are, and maybe even all that we’re not. But let’s not do it in our underwear because, friends, I know that we’re 110 percent worth more than that.

You are bold, you are beautiful and you are brave. You are worthy of love, kindness and respect. The Jesus I know loves you because of who you are, not because of what you are (or aren’t) wearing.

I guess what I’m saying is this: ladies, you are worth more than just some pictures of your skin. You are worth more than diamonds. You are worth more than gold. You are valuable and loved beyond measure.

Jesus tells us not to worry, and that we are worth much more in Luke 12: 27-28, “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!”

Your worth in the eyes of the Father is much more than any amount of likes you can get on Instagram or Facebook.

May the grace, mercy and peace of God be with you today, and may you be reminded consistently that you are worth much more than you can imagine.