Growing Closer To God Through Personal Style

Saint John Paul II once said, “The human being is unique and unrepeatable, somebody thought of and chosen from eternity, some[one] called and identified by his own name.”

What if we let this truth shatter our insecurities? What if we finally let go of the belief that we aren’t wanted? Or that we’d be “better” if we looked like that girl on social media or had someone else's life? How would our lives be transformed if we truly believed what Saint John Paul II said? It’s easy to read the words of great Saints and intellectually agree with what they say—but it’s a long journey from the brain to the heart. For so many of us, the battle of comparison and low self-esteem is a daily struggle. 

As women in the 21st century, we’re aware of how positive daily habits can drastically improve our self-perception. Waking up early, reducing screen time, going for walks, going to daily Mass, and reading before bed are all things that can help improve how we see ourselves. Things like “positive self-talk” effectively combat “negative self-talk” and re-affirm the truth of our identity. 

But what if the way you dressed was another key part of restoring your belief in your God-given, unrepeatable identity? Personal style is not commonly associated with growing in faith, but when understood through a theological lens, it is a tool for building our relationship with God. 

Saint John Paul II also said, “The body . . . is capable of making  visible what is invisible: the spiritual and the divine.” He explains that the body manifests the soul, revealing the interior of the human person. We have an opportunity to further aid the expression of our souls through the garments we put on our bodies. In choosing items that “match” the beauty of our souls, we celebrate how God made us. This helps us to see ourselves through God’s eyes. 

Similar to “positive self-talk,” dressing in a way that affirms our beauty, our individuality, and our dignity has a massive impact on how we see our worth overall. When we dress in a way that communicates to ourselves (and the world) that we have been made wonderfully unique and out of great love, it starts to transform our perception of ourselves. This has the power to impact every aspect of our lives! When we see ourselves as “chosen from eternity,” our understanding of our purpose changes from finite to infinite. Our choices and relationships are guided by our perception of our worth, so making daily choices that re-affirm God’s own view of you is crucial.

Remember, God delights when we recognize how much He loves us. He wants us to know that He intentionally knit us in our mother’s wombs (see Psalm 139:13) and that from the beginning of time, He wanted us. The more we recognize the love of the Father who has willed us into existence, the more we are able to return that love to Him. 

Personal style is just a tool to use in our faith journey. Ultimately, personal style is not about the clothes. It is not about having the best outfit or even being fashionable. The most important benefit of developing your personal style is the transformation of your relationship with God. Let’s dress in a way that helps us to learn how God made us, so we can grow in our relationship with Him. 

My dear sister, don’t be afraid of exploring your style! God rejoices when He sees you growing in the knowledge of your worth. He loves when you put together a special outfit that expresses just how uniquely He made you. Like any parent, He cherishes who you are. For Mass this Sunday, challenge yourself to put together an outfit that makes visible the invisible beauty of your soul! Give this beauty back to God and thank Him for making you in His image.

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