I am really bad a keeping a blog. I think about this a lot, and should post more often but between working 40+ hours a week and doing school work this gets pushed to the side. This post is a little different than previous ones so bear with me.
One of the things I feel bombarded with lately is my own self image. Things that run through my head include "I weigh too much", "I'm not skinny enough", "I'm not toned enough", "My hair isn't perfectly curled and situated just right", "I don't wear stylish enough clothes" etc. This especially comes into play when thinking about being single. I often add into my thoughts "That guy wouldn't consider dating me because...". This is DANGEROUS thinking! All of those things I wrote above stem from the sin of PRIDE. I realize this more and more as I find myself struggling with these thoughts. That is right...it is pride, and not only that it is vanity! I'll be honest...I struggle with these thoughts EVERY DAY! As women we are bombarded with the picture of womanly "perfection" and "beauty". The reason we want to achieve this is for none other than affirmation...mostly from men.
As I struggle (it is a continual process), the Lord reminds me of a few things:
- He makes everything beautiful in its time! (Ecclesiastes 3:11a)
- He doesn't look on the outward appearance, He looks at the heart! (1 Samuel 16:7)
- He made me! He knit me together in my mothers womb, he designed my body the way it is and created me uniquely. (Psalm 139)
- Beauty in His eyes comes from a gentle and quiet spirit...not from braided hair, gold jewelry, or the clothing we wear. (1 Peter 3:3-4)
- I am created in His image! (Genesis 1:27, Colossians 3:10)
- I am loved! (John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:19, Lamentations 3:22-23)
- I am valuable! (Matthew 6:25-34)
I have to continually tell myself these things and repeat them over and over. I need to memorize these scriptures and hold fast to the truth of God's Word rather than the false claims of this world. It is hard to not let the shouting voices of the world overpower that truth. But I will continue to listen for the sweet whisper of my Saviors' voice telling me I am beautiful, I am loved, I am unique, and I am HIS!!
