Erin: First of all, I really wish I could hug you right now. Words hurt! We can either use our words to encourage others or bring them down. I can only imagine how hard it is to hear even your best friend say something so irresponsible and mean. I’ve learned that sometimes those closest to you are the ones that can hurt you the most. I have so much to say to you about all of this but I know Cam wants to add what she thinks – so I’ll get to the point.

No matter what anyone says – YOU ARE LOVED by GOD – JUST THE WAY YOU ARE. (Make sure you check out the Cam Clip video called Just the Way You Are) In the Bible it says that you are “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God. (Psalm 139) Jesus made you just the way you are – and everything He has made is wonderful and beautiful!

We all need to know and receive the love God has for us so that when other people hurt us – (especially our closest friends) we can trust God to handle it all. You see, people are going to say mean things – about how we look, what we wear, all of that kind of stuff. But God knows our hearts and we can trust Him with the hurt that people cause us. I know it’s hard but you need to ask God to help you to be thankful for how you look right now. You also need to ask Him to help you to forgive the people who have said these things to you. Believe me – this is not easy at all. But if you go to God with all of this – HE WILL HELP YOU!

Also, one more thing, most of the time people make fun of others because they’re insecure and jealous. I’m praying for you!

Camryn: This is terrible and so hurtful. If this happened to me, I would probably tell my mother as soon as possible. She usually has just the right words to help me with stuff like this. Okay – so no matter what people say about your body – God sees your heart and that’s what really matters. He sees that your heart is hurting when people say these mean things. He wants you to know that He hears what these people are saying and He doesn’t like it. He made you exactly how He wanted you to be.

So really – when people make fun of you and say nasty things about your body – its like they’re saying that God didn’t do a good job of creating you. Yikes! You need to pray that God would open up their hearts and minds so that these people (especially your best friend) see how their words hurt and that God doesn’t like when hurtful words come out of our mouths.

And, like Erin said…as hard as it is – you need to ask God to help you forgive. When you forgive it doesn’t mean that what these people are doing is okay – because its NOT. You forgive because God says you should and it will help you so that your heart doesn’t grow hateful. I hope this helped you!!

From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth. He who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. Psalm 33:13-15

You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Psalm 139:15 – The Message