The Hunger Games – Radiant as the sun.

Welcome or welcome back to the Gospel According to! This week we’re visiting the Hunger Games universe and Katniss’ admiring astonishment at the stunningly beautiful dresses which Cinna created for her. This post was inspired by Never Not Reading’s “Favorites February” series, so be sure to check out her post when you have the chance. Enjoy!

Fandom: “I am not pretty. I am not beautiful. I am as radiant as the sun.” – Katniss

Verse: “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never darkened with shame.” Psalm 34:5

Nugget: When our focus is on Jesus and what He thinks of us, we can’t help but shine.

Being radiant is the result of being clothed in righteousness

When Katniss says these words, she has just finished describing one of the exquisite outfits designed for her by Cinna (may he rest in peace). Her admiration is focused more on his workmanship than on her own merit or beauty, for which she cares very little. In the same way, we become radiant in God’s eyes when we are clothed in righteousness through Jesus. The jewels and fine cloth which Katniss describes remind me of the Bride of Christ: “Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.” Revelation 19:7-8

Being radiant is the absence of shame

The second part of the verse from Psalms tells us that those who are radiant because of looking to the Lord are never ashamed. What causes us to be ashamed? I can think of two things. The first is my own sin that makes it harder to be close to the Lord. The second is caring about the opinions of others to the point that I am ashamed of who I am.

When it comes to being ashamed of sin, there’s another piece of our spiritual wardrobe that can come to our rescue: “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

This verse also helps with the other cause of shame, since being renewed in the spirit of our mind leads to caring less about the opinion of others. Boom! Point Jesus 🔥

Being radiant means keeping our eyes on Jesus

If you are a believer, absolutely nothing will make you anything less than saved an redeemed in God’s sight. But our hearts are deceptive, and sometimes we believe otherwise. In order to maintain the renewed mind and “new self” that Ephesians talks about, it’s important to keep our focus on Jesus and what He thinks of us. Here are some verses to help keep you thinking about Jesus regardless of what you feel or what others say:

• Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7
• Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
• Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
• There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2
• For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
• You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you. Song of Solomon 4:7

I could go on about this all day, but hopefully these verses give you a place to start. If you need more, here’s a list of Bible verses about self-worth to read as well 🙂

Love this design? Get it for yourself!

I love this idea so much, I’ve created a design for it on my Redbubble shop. It looks amazing on stickers, phone cases, journals, and even pillows! See for yourself below ☺

Hope you’ve enjoyed this Hunger Games – Radiant as the Sun post. If you did, please do me a solid and share with all your peeps with the graphic below. And let me know which of the Hunger Games outfits Katniss wears is your favorite!

Happy fangirling!

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