Do find yourself comparing yourself to the pictures of the
models while you’re shopping? Isn’t she just gorgeous? (...aside from the lack
of modesty most of the time.) But isn’t her skin flawless? Her eyes so
intensely alive? Her hair so beautiful with a healthy shine? Her clothes she
just bought from {insert store here} the perfect match?
I’ve tried to be very careful about not comparing myself to
the media, but I’ve found that I do it unconsciously!
This is what opened my eyes –
This is what opened my eyes –
My husband just achieved a new job – videograpy and
photography. He’s a videographer already, but he’s had to do some research to
be a photographer. And what he’s learning about editing photos...! It’s nuts.
I’ve watched several of his tutorials while he watched them. My husband now
knows how to paint with lighting to intensify eyes, make noses smaller, and
modify hair colors. He can make me a “natural” blonde without me ever dying my
hair! He knows how to touch up colors of an outfit to make it match perfectly,
to take out blemishes of the skin! He can even add makeup to a makeup-less
model! What?! And I’ve been trying to compare myself to these women?! No wonder
I haven’t been measuring up!
Now what? How do you fight this constant battle? Those
thoughts and comparisons jump in your mind before you realize what’s happened!
So, I went searching for weapons I could use in this battle. Here they are:
Look For What God
Looks For
But the Lord
said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have
rejected him. The Lord does not
look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
~ 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far
more than rubies.
~ Proverbs 31:10 (NIV)
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as
elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather,
it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet
spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
~ 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)
Guard Your Heart With
His Truth
Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do
flows from it.
~ Proverbs 4:23
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by
prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.
~ Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
His Truth Will Set You
Free
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold
to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and
the truth will set you free.”
~ John 8:31-32
Now go win that battle!
❤,
Emily of Redeeming Beauty
Comments (16)
Amen! We will lose the battle, if we continue to compare ourselves to each other. The Lord created us and we should not dishonor His work by wanting to be someone else. This is a battle most women will need to constantly watch. But, with Christ, anything is possible! Loved this post! Blessings to all!
"The Lord created us and we should not dishonor His work by wanting to be someone else." Well said, Cynthia! That is SO true!
Thanks for stopping by, FCC. I'm so glad this touched you this morning. :)
Very good. Thanks Emily!
Yeah there's a video that shows people doing a model's makeup and hair and then touching up the photo a lot.
Thank you for lifting up the truth! I have been focusing on confronting the big and little lies that pop up in my thoughts - Philippians 4:8 whatever is truth, lovely, honorable, praiseworthy.......
You're welcome Julia!
Shadow - Crazy, isn't it?!
Amen, Longing! And thanks for leaving the verse, it fits perfectly!
Good thoughts! I modeled when I was younger so I've always been very aware of how much of the final product is just manipulation. I know quite well how quickly beauty fades anyway. Isn't wonderful how people who are kind and generous and thoughtful become more and more beautiful to us though?
Wow, what a wonderful article, love it!! ^_^
Hugs,
Elfie
So true! It is what is in your heart that is your beauty.
♥♥♥
Sue
Awesome. Great verses to improve our self esteem.
So true. Comparison is the trap of the enemy which is easy to fall into.
Wonderful message. As a mom of a little girl, I worry about her being bombarded by messages of the world. I can only shield her with the Word.
Praise God for His words. We can set our minds on things above,and not be shackled to the ways of the world, or our own thoughts. It is so true that "Man, looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." ~ 1 Samuel 16:7.
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised." Proverbs 31:30
Thanks Emily for sharing this. I will share the blog with my friends.
Vivien
Charmed- so true! Beauty definitely is on the inside!
Thank you, Elfie. Glad I was able to touch you today. :)
You're so right, Joyce.
EverSewSweet- I can't imagine being a mommy...I've only been married 2.5 years. It sounds like mommies and daddies need such wisdom to rear children!
You're welcome, Vivien. I'm so glad you're going to share it!
I am seeking the gentle and quiet spirit, but, I know I have a long way to go. Thank you Emily!
Great post! So glad you are standing in the gap for His truth and righteousness! Keep running the good race! Love, laura