Divine Makeover by Sharla Fritz
Divine Makeover is the book I wish someone had given me when I was a teenager. Author Sharla Fritz speaks to the familiar insecurities and doubts that all teenage girls battle with grace, humility, and wisdom. Fritz uses familiar clothing items as the backdrop for discussing issues such as self-esteem, pride, gossip, and forgiveness.
The author simultaneously challenges fashion myths and motivates girls to find their worth in the unshakeable foundations of faith. Fritz explains:
“Almost all of us go through an awkward stage where we doubt our beauty and worth. In this age, the emphasis on physical beauty is greater than ever before. Celebrities are scrutinized for their hair styles, makeup, and clothing choices. Ordinary girls are slammed when they don’t wear the coolest brands. Every year hundreds of thousands of teens are so dissatisfied with their looks that they resort to plastic surgery. I’m hoping that Divine Makeover will help young women discover their worth not in what clothes they are wearing on the outside, but on the clothing of their character.”
Fritz spent time discussing these issues with teenagers from her church, Trinity Lutheran, in Lisle, Illinois. According to the author, “They candidly shared their views and struggles. One girl battled anorexia. When she looked in the mirror, she saw herself as fat, even though she definitely wasn’t. She bravely shared her story of becoming obsessed with food and a having a totally skewed view of her body. Eventually she learned to see herself as God saw her—His much-loved daughter.
“Another young woman discovered she had alopecia and lost all of her hair. In this society that worships thick, long manes of hair, she struggled to see herself as beautiful. She doubted that any man would ever love her. She has never regained her hair, but she has regained a healthy self-image because of her trust in God. Both of these women are now in their twenties and happily married.”
The book is accessible, honest, practical, and fun. Fritz’s care and concern for young girls shines through each chapter. In a recent interview she expressed her hope for Divine Makeover:
“I pray that every girl who reads this book will take away one important truth: that in Christ she is beautiful. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice for us, we always look lovely in God’s looking glass. Our heavenly Father sees us not as we are, with our mammoth mistakes, our sins, our major bedhead. He sees us as we will be—perfect. The Bible tells us, “If anyone is in Christ, [s]he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
If I had a teenage daughter in my house, she would be receiving this for her birthday.
The book is available through Amazon.
To read more from this author, check out her website.