WARNING: I AM GOING TO SHARE RAW EMOTIONS HERE!
It seems commonplace for a young woman or a young man to struggle with issues of self-confidence and self-worth. Outward appearances especially are judged by strangers, peers and figures of authority alike.
I can remember when 90210 was a popular show to watch. I was an avid viewer. My favorite couple on the evening sitcom was Brenda & Dylan. I wanted so much to look like Brenda that I brought the People magazine cover shot of Shannen Doherty to my hairdresser's to give her a visual of the haircut I wanted. My hairdresser in South Florida was awesome and my Shannen Doherty hair came out just like I'd hoped. I am so attuned to this Entertainment Babylon that I still am inclined to bring a picture of a female celebrity to my hairdresser's as a visual directive. I don't know whether that's normal or pathetic. Ha!
Once upon a time, I was 26, and was involved in a Bible Study. It was the first Bible Study that I chose to participate in without any outward influences. I had been married for a year. I had gained a bit of weight and was unhappy with the way I looked. I suffered from Panic Attacks, Separation Anxiety, and depression all at once. I was also in the midst of finishing up my B.A. degree. Life seemed so overwhelming to me. A friend of mine shared a book with me called You Are Not What You Weigh. While reading this book I came across the Bible verse above. This verse in I Samuel freed me of some of binding chains. To know that my Creator, my Heavenly Father thought more of me than I did. I have the eye of my Savior. He thought I was worth saving. The Lord cared about where my heart was, NOT what the numbers said on the scale and certainly NOT what my thought process was when I looked in the mirror. I read this verse over and over and over. Then I started, very slowly, believing Him at His Word. The Panic Attacks, the Separation Anxiety, the depression did not go away over night, but it did eventually go away.
I had to bring it home. I had to lay my insecurities down and make them known to God so that He could guide my thoughts in a more healthy way. Don't get me wrong, I haven't turned off E! News or stopped pinning my favorite artists/celebrities. Reality TV, like The Voice and Dancing With The Stars, are my favorite shows to watch. Now that I know where my worth is I can still take in the culture stuff without it damaging my self-confidence. It took a long time for me to get to this place. Like I said, it didn't happen over night. I look at it this way, God is an artist and He creates beautiful people & beautiful things. I get to photograph some of those beautiful people & beautiful things. I am so thankful for beauty because it is lovely to behold. I am also very thankful that the Lord finds my true worth and beauty in my heart. The heart is what really matters. If this brings you anything, my prayer is that it brings you some assurance & hope...
How to Print:
1. Right click
2. Save image as
3. Save in a folder you can easily locate
4. Print in color as a 8x10 {I use heavy white cardstock}
5. Frame it
6. Enjoy...
7. Remember the promise.
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