I once heard this quote,"We get so worried about being "pretty", let's be pretty kind, pretty funny, pretty smart, pretty strong"
In a world that is obsessed with social media and fixated on the approval ratings of their peers through a screen, we often toss aside our real thoughts and opinions in place of posts that will get the mosts likes.We lose our sense of authenticity in order to become more appealing.. but to whose standards are we living that by?We allow the world around us and our culture to tell us who we are instead of listening to who God says we are.Ultimately, all of our intimacy is kept at bay by fear- deep down we get worried, "what if people see the real me" and that stems from the fear of rejection.
But the more deeply we reinforce our identity in Christ, the more fortified we will be against the onslaught of opposing voices in our lives. Listen to who God says you are,
"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful" - Psalm 139:14
"In Christ you have been brought to fullness." - Colossians 2:10
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart" - Jeremiah 1:5
"Those who look to Him are radiant, their faces are never covered with shame." - Psalm 34:5
These are promises that God has made to us- and if there is one thing I know, its that God is a man of his word.If we live for the opinions of other people then we are disregarding who God says we are.We are in a spiritual battle with a spiritual enemy.. The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy and the battle is for our mindset.The devil loves to use our past experiences to polute our perspective. He tries to hold us captive in our transgressions so that we feel inadequate and inferior. But our identity in Christ is what allows us to be strong through our tribulations and find comfort that what we have done does not define who we are.True fullfillment comes from something that doesn't waiver and doesn't end... thats our God.
This is something I have struggled with for years... being a "people pleaser". I love people! I love to be social, I love to make others happy, I love making new friends and I love feeling accepted. Acceptance can be a security blanket.. but what I have learned is that we have to be careful by who's standard we allow ourself to feel accepted.Chasing the affirmation of others becomes exhausting and ultimately ends in self disappointment. At the end of the day, you can't please everyone. Someone, somewhere will find something wrong with you or what you've done and you won't be able to change that- but what's FREEING is learning that, that is okay! It's okay because we know who Christ says we are! We are called to live by a higher standard than that of worldly views.
If your identity is in what you accomplish, then you will always have to accomplish more. If your identity is in the affirmation of others then you will always be seeking the approval of another.. But when you let God's heart saturate your heart then you begin to see yourself and people differently. Our mind is a powerful tool. What you think about, you care about, what you care about, you chase. So ask yourself what are you chasing? Are you a woman after God's own heart or are you chasing the affirmation of others...
Let me ask you something that I had to ask myself this year.. What is the condition of your heart? What are you pursuing? Is it approval from success, social media, peers? Are you wading in self image insecurities and yearning for acceptance? Or are you fixing your mind on the word of God? Are you speaking truth and life over yourself and those around you? What kind of woman do you want to be? Will you effect those around you in a positive way?How will you be remembered tomorrow for the life you live today?
Ladies, let me tell you something.Every time you compare yourself, it costs you something- contentment, joy, confidence, self satisfaction, etc. True contentment will never be found in the things or the people of this world. So for that, we fix our eyes and our hearts on what is unseen.Choose to be THE girl. God's girl. Confident, humble, loving, compassionate, graceful, merciful, empathetic, selfless, God fearing. Choose to stand firm in confidence of your authentic self!There are lives that only YOU can touch- and if you're so busy trying to play someone else's role, then who is going to play you? Who is going to live out the will God has called for your life and use the anointing, grace and strength he equipped you with to be his disciple?
So go turn YOUR LIGHT ON and let the Word of God fuel the fire instead of letting words of oppressors blow out your flame!
"A heart at peace gives life to the body but envy rots the bones" - Proverbs 14:30
Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that this message finds its way into the hearts of those who need it most. I pray that we will become a generation who turns away from self image and turns toward our identity in YOU. Dear God I pray that you will fill these hearts with the promises of who your word says they are- and that when they are in a self deprecating place that they are reminded of your love for them and how that is what matters most. We give you all the glory, AMEN!
Comments