Hello, Beauty Full: Seeing Yourself as God Sees You

by Elisa Morgan

Are you believing the great lie that God does not, maybe even could not , love you? The real you? Women struggle under the ongoing weight of “not-enough-ness.” Not attractive enough. Not smart enough. Not fit enough. Not creative enough. Not good enough. Not sexy enough. Not strong enough. Not whole enough. Not womanly enough. And therefore, not beautiful. We are broken and ashamed to be so. In our eyes, brokenness makes us unlovable and unusable. But in his Word, God is clear that he sees us the way we already are in deeply loved and abundantly influential. Yet we hang back, believing instead the toxic not-enough labels. Hello, Beauty Full explodes the shame-based mythology of our “not-enough-ness.” Instead of believing the hiss of the enemy, women are encouraged to see their beauty the way God does. Chapters Challenged to not settle for emptiness when Jesus came to give life to the full, women will find the freedom they need to accept their identities when they not only hear but embrace God's heavenly "Hello, Beauty Full!"

Genres: Christian, Christian Non Fiction, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2015

About the author

Elisa Morgan was named by Christianity Today as one of the top 50 women influencing today's church and culture, and she's a sought-after author, speaker, and leader. She has authored more than 25 books on mothering, spiritual formation, and evangelism, including The Beauty of Broken, Hello, Beauty Full, She Did What She Could, and The NIV Mom's Devotional Bible.

For 20 years, Elisa served as the CEO of MOPS International (www.mops.org). Under her leadership, MOPS grew from 350 groups to more than 4,000 groups throughout the United States and in 30 other countries, influencing more than 100,000 moms every year. Elisa now serves as president emerita of MOPS.

Elisa received a BS from the University of Texas and an MDiv from Denver Seminary. She served as the dean of women at Western Bible College (now Colorado Christian University) and on the board of ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability). Currently she serves on the board of Denver Seminary.

Elisa is a cohost of the syndicated radio program Discover the Word (www.discovertheword.org), a daily 15-minute real-time conversation around the living Word of God. She is married to Evan (the senior vice president of global ministry efforts for Our Daily Bread Ministries) and has two grown children and two grandchildren who live near her in Denver, Colorado. Wilson and Darla, her two rottweilers, take her on walks in the open space behind her house.

Connect with Elisa at www.elisamorgan.com. You can sign up for her blog, Really, at her website or by texting the word REALLY to 22828.

You can keep in touch with Elisa in the following ways:

Instagram: Elisa Morgan, Author
Facebook: Elisa Morgan, Author
Twitter: @elisa­_morgan

Reviews

[Fergus, Weaver of Autistic Webs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Streets full of people
All alone
Roads full of houses
Never home
Church full of singing
Out of tune -
Everyone’s gone to the moon.
(Sixties song by Jonathan King)

Three years ago, I was becoming an unseamed pulp of a guy.

One of my friends called me a Solipsist. That “unseamed (me) from the nave to the chaps,” as I believe Shakespeare’s Macbeth - or one of his cronies - said.

Yep. It hit me where I lived.

Funny thing is, he was right... and so, he’s still my friend. And I value his insight.

Now more than ever.

For the stern, unyielding discipline of my childhood, youth and early adulthood had turned me inward - smack dab into deep introspection.

I see it in my early GR reviews of that time - all too clearly.

If you’re a Christian, I think you can relate. Don’t we easily turn within, simply because it’s THERE that we find our deep spiritual replenishment?

That’s what our churches are for, man, and not to be converted into sleazy pool halls for the ‘betterment’ of wayward youth - and into once-proud artifacts of our fondest but oh, now so-distant memories!

They used to be able to show us our Deep Inner Riches. And, you know, they could really help us at right about THIS point in the now shot-down history of our sad inner sagas.

Inwardness DOES lead to God.

But start living there, as the wise man said, and it’s a neurosis. And so it’s gotta change.

So, let’s go back once again to that dire day two years ago, when my friend burst my big bright balloon...

I guess you can understand me, when I tell you guys, that I needed something to reinforce my suddenly wildly flying buttresses, lest my entire painstakingly-constructed cathedral of faith crumble to dust.

I needed some healthy reading.

So one day soon after, leafing through my free subscription to Our Daily Bread, I decided to pick up names of some of its bright new contributors and search for their books.

Elisa Morgan’s name fairly leapt off the page at me.

And hers was the first of the beautifully “re-buttressing” authors’ books I read back then.

It is EXCELLENT.

You see, I knew Elisa’s essays, and I knew she writes for us guys as well as you girls: anyone, in fact, of a spiritual mindset.

So, disregarding her purportedly feminine slant, I started reading -

Ah. INSTANT Relief.

Beautiful - like she says!

And it re-entrenched and re-established my roots.

It’s DOUBLY good for those Christians who are introverted. Cause there IS a value to be found in outwardness.

The wonderful young writer Ryan Holiday (a GREAT Goodreads Author) tells us as much in his book, Ego is the Enemy.

Folks, the REAL enemy is not Outwardness.

The Real Enemy is Ego. And he thrives on BOTH inwardness and outwardness. And Ryan shows us how. So does Elisa....

While the gals’ll love it, we beat-up ‘n bedraggled males can get our batteries recharged from this in about the same time as it takes me to charge up my iPod - hardly ANY.

You know, if you’re Christian and you’re a bit down in the mouth over this evil virus, chances are the diagnosis of my good GR friend can set you straight...

You’re probably WAY too Serious about yourself.

So RELAX, as Elisa says -

God loves you for who you are...

Not for your perfectionist, or your solipsistic, ideal of yourself!

Just for yourself - without the bells & whistles.

Five solid stars.

Go for it!

[Chelsey with a y · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed to read. I had been feeling really down. It's still hard to see yourself as God see's you but nothing in life is easy really. This is a book I think every girl needs to read, so good!

[Janka H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very feminine (in the best meaning) book about seeing yourself the way God sees you - as beauty full.

Elisa Morgan knows how difficult might be to see you as "full" - full of beauty, full of grace, full of competences, full of meaning - not just "good enough" or shamed into thinking less about you - but as full of unique beauty and very much seen and loved.
Which is the message that every Christian (or any) woman might heard at least just once in their lives. And the one message we all struggle to believe, deep down in our very soul. Again and again.

Elisa Morgan struggles with us and is very generous to offer the wisdom gained through her life.
She has a lot to offer (I even surprised myself when I have revealed some new insights and revelations about myself - and in the area I would not have thought of before reading this book!).

Her voice is gentle, the one of a friend who is walking along you on the same path. And the one who understands and might have some deep, emotional, truthful truth to share.

Read this, if you are happy or not that much, you can gain a lot here.

[Natali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good reminder for me to view myself in God's eyes and combat the lies of the enemy. In today's society, it's vital that we feed ourselves with the truth of God's word instead of the fear and lies the devil wants us to believe.

[Kathleen Lancia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the encouragement this book gives to people struggling with self-identity. In this barbie world, it's nice to see that we can simple be us.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reading this book several years after its publication. Like many in the same genre, it is filled with the usual Bible verses that female authors use to encourage women. While the author can be somewhat trite, there are several scenarios where I could see myself, which makes the read quite palatable. Some parts of the book may not apply to those later in life, but overall, I don't think this is a bad book. Whether you are a long-time believer, new to your faith, or do not believe in God at all, there is an underlying message about women and self-worth that is worthy of a read.

[Niki Kropf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked how Morgan used personal narrative interwoven with scripture and the words of other authors to make her points.

I did feel like she shared some valuable perspective - especially about how God beings beauty to the broken but I felt that it was her side points that resonated with me more than the “beauty full” theme.

This was a good reminder to step back and gain some perspective on who we are in the eyes of God.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't make it all the way through. Typical MOPS fluff. She even quotes "Jesus is Calling" and "The Shack" as if they are legitimate sources and not highly questionable works. And in some places her interpretation of scripture quotes is way off. I wish more authors would write books for Christian women without trying to be all cutesy and quirky. We're adults. We can be serious.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice and well meaning book. I think that even if you're not religious (like me) as a woman it's always nice to get some books that help for those moments of self doubt. I'm sure everyone men and women need books like this.

[maggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I enjoyed the read. It spoke to my heart and made me aware of what I am and how beautiful I am in front of God!
I encourage every woman to read this book, it is uplifting.

[Mona Cochran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible. Stumbled upon this while looking for a book called Hello Beautiful. Worth the read. We had just been talking about women in leadership and she does touch on this, but it’s more about being authentic, loving others, loving yourself

[Raelin Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I can say is wow. So many things to consider. Definitely going to have to read it again!

[Shannon Maddox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please see my review here:

https://iron-diva.blogspot.com/2019/0...

Thanks.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolutely amazing!! This book gives good advice and has many activities to help you see yourself as God sees you!!!

[Taylor Rieder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really showed me confidence that I didn't always feel like I have.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard Elisa Morgan speak at the Thrive event in April and was so happy to get an autographed copy of her book. I appreciated her message that God sees all of us as beautiful and wants us to positively influence others around us. There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter with some questions being better than others. There are also videos available online; however, they're primarily verbiage taken directly from the book.

[Mary Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I disagreed with a bit of the author's theology but most of what she has to say, every women I know needs to hear. I cried while listening to parts of this book. Yes, the lies go that deep; cut so painfully.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy and enjoyable. Thought provoking.

[Brooke Halperin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast good read for women that are into their childbearing years and beyond.