“And so, since God in His mercy has given us this wonderful ministry, we never give up.
We reject all shameful and underhanded methods.
We do not try to trick anyone and we do not distort the word of God.
We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know that.
If the Good News we preach is veiled from anyone, it is a sign that they are perishing. Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, so that they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don’t understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. We don’t go around preaching about ourselves; we preach Christ Jesus, the Lord. All we say about ourselves is that we are your servants because of what Jesus has done for us.
For God who said “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made us understand that this light is the brightness of the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. But this precious treasure – this light and power that now shines within us – is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So that everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own.
We are pressured on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken.
We are perplexed but we do not give up and quit.
We are hunted down, but God never abandons us.
We get knocked down but we get up again and keep going.
Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.”
2 Corinthians 4:1-10
Our gracious Father has buried in each of us a treasure trove of resources to be used to glorify His kingdom. We are the light! We have His power harnessed within us! God knew when He planned your salvation that the power He was giving you would be held in a weak and perishable body, but oh how His goodness can prove to be a match for your sinful nature. When you demonstrate the power and strength that God has placed in you, and deny your fleshly desires and nature, you show others how God works. Both believers and non-believers will see that God is working in you.
You cannot do it on your own.
How many of us have failed miserably trying to show God just how good and worthy we could be? I can admit that my failures never seemed to end, but everything changed when I put my trust in Christ Jesus. God never abandons us. He is there to motivate when we feel down, reassure when we start to falter, guide when we need direction.
You have been given a wonderful ministry and you have been bought into the kingdom of God with a high price. You must never give up in your pursuit of the kingdom and in doing God’s work to claim our fellow man.
Now hop to it girls! Go get in the game.
Showing posts with label Self image. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self image. Show all posts
Friday, April 26, 2013
Friday, April 12, 2013
Yeah, Yeah, I know, "The devil is a liar"...
"Be alert and sober of mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8
So it is no revelation that just as there is the existence of God and His angels, there is the existence of satan and his demons. Hopefully, we believers can all agree on that. Right? Well...because I can sense a slight bit of resistance from some of you (I see you back there! Yeah, you.) let's discuss today the penchant for some Christians to ignore the devil and his efforts to wreck havoc on the world.
During a conversation with a friend and classmate a while ago, the topic arose of satan's continued efforts to manipulate the minds and actions of people everywhere. My comment that we believers are not excluded, and are even targeted, was met with her response: "There you go with that devil stuff...". What? I went on to expound on my point and remind her that the devil is not only real, but that he is "prowling around like a roaring lion looking some victim to devour." Needless to say she was not impressed.
Of course, many well-meaning Christians believe that "the devil is a liar" and all that, but what else do they believe? It seems like far fewer believers in Christ are willing to confidently proclaim their understanding of satan's sole mission: "to steal, to kill, and to destroy." (John 10:10). But to steal, kill, and destroy what, you ask? Steal your dreams. Kill your hopes. Destroy your progress towards the mission God has set before you.
Job 1:7 reminds us that satan is busy "roaming about on the earth and walking around on it"...And don't think that he won't worm his way into your happy little Jesus party.
"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and satan also came among them." Job 1:6
So there! Look over your shoulder, the folks in your circle may not all be saints. I'm just saying...
God has ultimate power over all things, yes. But recognize that satan was cast down to earth after being booted out of heaven and that dude is bitter. If he thought leading a revolt against God was going to work you know he is not going to play fair with you. We as believers have to recognize that satan will wiggle his tricky behind into anything he can get his hands (or hooves) on. Stop thinking that you can go about your merry way and he's going to be sitting on a park bench whistling for you to come over! He's much more subtle than that. Satan will:
- Cause your friends to not call you on your birthday so that you will want to curse them out.
- Proceed to get your dog to pee on your rug, just for you to step in it with bare feet, and cause you to miss bible study because you're cleaning up the mess. (okay, so maybe that only happens to me...)
- Try to allow bitterness and resentment toward your family to keep you from sharing the gospel with them.
- Have you thinking that the only way to get the attention of a fine young man is to flaunt your God given physical assets and give him access to them before marriage.
Recognize his craftiness ladies.
The next time the devil comes around trying to mess with you just put him on notice, "Get behind me satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests but man's." Matthew 16:23. Understand his mission, don't succumb to his foolery, and keep a level head. The devil IS a liar, but he's a hater too; don't drink the hater-ade.
Stay Fly Girls!
So it is no revelation that just as there is the existence of God and His angels, there is the existence of satan and his demons. Hopefully, we believers can all agree on that. Right? Well...because I can sense a slight bit of resistance from some of you (I see you back there! Yeah, you.) let's discuss today the penchant for some Christians to ignore the devil and his efforts to wreck havoc on the world.
During a conversation with a friend and classmate a while ago, the topic arose of satan's continued efforts to manipulate the minds and actions of people everywhere. My comment that we believers are not excluded, and are even targeted, was met with her response: "There you go with that devil stuff...". What? I went on to expound on my point and remind her that the devil is not only real, but that he is "prowling around like a roaring lion looking some victim to devour." Needless to say she was not impressed.
Of course, many well-meaning Christians believe that "the devil is a liar" and all that, but what else do they believe? It seems like far fewer believers in Christ are willing to confidently proclaim their understanding of satan's sole mission: "to steal, to kill, and to destroy." (John 10:10). But to steal, kill, and destroy what, you ask? Steal your dreams. Kill your hopes. Destroy your progress towards the mission God has set before you.
Job 1:7 reminds us that satan is busy "roaming about on the earth and walking around on it"...And don't think that he won't worm his way into your happy little Jesus party.
"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and satan also came among them." Job 1:6
So there! Look over your shoulder, the folks in your circle may not all be saints. I'm just saying...
God has ultimate power over all things, yes. But recognize that satan was cast down to earth after being booted out of heaven and that dude is bitter. If he thought leading a revolt against God was going to work you know he is not going to play fair with you. We as believers have to recognize that satan will wiggle his tricky behind into anything he can get his hands (or hooves) on. Stop thinking that you can go about your merry way and he's going to be sitting on a park bench whistling for you to come over! He's much more subtle than that. Satan will:
- Cause your friends to not call you on your birthday so that you will want to curse them out.
- Proceed to get your dog to pee on your rug, just for you to step in it with bare feet, and cause you to miss bible study because you're cleaning up the mess. (okay, so maybe that only happens to me...)
- Try to allow bitterness and resentment toward your family to keep you from sharing the gospel with them.
- Have you thinking that the only way to get the attention of a fine young man is to flaunt your God given physical assets and give him access to them before marriage.
Recognize his craftiness ladies.
The next time the devil comes around trying to mess with you just put him on notice, "Get behind me satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests but man's." Matthew 16:23. Understand his mission, don't succumb to his foolery, and keep a level head. The devil IS a liar, but he's a hater too; don't drink the hater-ade.
Stay Fly Girls!
Saturday, March 16, 2013
The speck and The board (subtitle: Deal with your baggage girl!)
"And why worry about a speck in your friends eye, when you have a board in your own?" Matthew 7:3
In the grand (and even not so grand) scheme of things, all of us have an Achilles heel. That thing, or things, that can make us not only fall off of the wagon but jump off of it and then try to walk instead of just hopping back on...Some of you know what I'm saying! One woman might not be able to control herself if a gallon of ice cream is in the vicinity - she will kick off her shoes, curl up on the sofa with a spoon and a dishtowel (to wrap around the carton so her hands won't get cold), then zone out into her own little world. Another woman will melt into a puddle of sugar, spice, and all things nice when a handsome man walks into the room - with a flip of her hair and the bat of an eyelash she won't focus on anything but getting him to focus on her; a slow sache across the room to catch his eye, a brush against his shoulder, an extra chuckle or notable comment, a sly cross of the legs, anything to get his attention. Neither of these women sound like you, huh? Seems a little pathetic to you? Maybe you can't imagine a woman would stoop to that level, but what may be incomprehensible in your view may be a way of life for someone else. Criticism is a hill of rough terrain - the longer you travel on its path the bumpier the ride gets.
"Judge not, that you not be judged." Matthew 7:1. This passage of scripture is so basic that it is confusing to some. Let's look at the concept of the speck and the board and really break this thing down...
Matthew 7:3 "And why worry about the speck in your friend's eye when you have a board in your own?" Duly noted. But what if your friend calls attention to her "speck" and asks for advice/ feedback/ help with her speck? Well, I'm glad you have asked such a poinient question missy!
Matthew 7:4 "How can you think of saying, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye' when you can't see past the board in your own eye?" So before we go running around, looking down at the woman that has lost one too many battles with Breyer's, we must analyze ourselves for the boards in our own eyes.
In verse 5 of the same passage Jesus calls this person a hypocrite. An He's serious about it! A hypocrite is defined as 1. a person who pretends to have virtues, morals, or religious beliefs, principles, etc, that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs 2. a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.
In review, it is hypocritical to bad mouth/ criticize/ look down on: a) an overweight person if you are an indulger in something that may not show on your physical exterior. b) a single woman with several children if you have had abortions, close calls, or multiple sex partners. c) a woman wearing a skirt that is too short/ top that is too low/ pants that are too tight if you seek attention in other ways like demeaning others to boost yourself up. Get the picture?
Matthew 7:5 "First get rid of the board from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friends eye." I see this last verse as a message of assistance rather than one of admonition. I used to think the message was "Stop worrying about fixing everyone else until you fix yourself!" But now I see it from a whole new perspective. Think of an airplane oxygen mask. When you take a plane, the instruction for dealing with a loss in cabin pressure is to place your mask on first before making an attempt to help others with their masks. This is not because it is 'every man for himself', it's because I can be of no use to others if I am going down while trying to help them out. Likewise, if I have recognized my board - overeating/ overspending/ lusting of the eyes and flesh - and am working to remove it, I will have more compassion for what the person with the speck is going through and be able to share with them the power that God gives to overcome the specks and boards in the eyes of life.
As followers of Christ we are tasked to help strengthen and build His kingdom. Blind builders with specks and boards in their eyes are pretty ineffective... As we are working get our eyes board free we are to also be compassionate towards others around us who are working to do the same. I'm praying for you ladies! With God all things are possible.
Stay fly girls!
In the grand (and even not so grand) scheme of things, all of us have an Achilles heel. That thing, or things, that can make us not only fall off of the wagon but jump off of it and then try to walk instead of just hopping back on...Some of you know what I'm saying! One woman might not be able to control herself if a gallon of ice cream is in the vicinity - she will kick off her shoes, curl up on the sofa with a spoon and a dishtowel (to wrap around the carton so her hands won't get cold), then zone out into her own little world. Another woman will melt into a puddle of sugar, spice, and all things nice when a handsome man walks into the room - with a flip of her hair and the bat of an eyelash she won't focus on anything but getting him to focus on her; a slow sache across the room to catch his eye, a brush against his shoulder, an extra chuckle or notable comment, a sly cross of the legs, anything to get his attention. Neither of these women sound like you, huh? Seems a little pathetic to you? Maybe you can't imagine a woman would stoop to that level, but what may be incomprehensible in your view may be a way of life for someone else. Criticism is a hill of rough terrain - the longer you travel on its path the bumpier the ride gets.
"Judge not, that you not be judged." Matthew 7:1. This passage of scripture is so basic that it is confusing to some. Let's look at the concept of the speck and the board and really break this thing down...
Matthew 7:3 "And why worry about the speck in your friend's eye when you have a board in your own?" Duly noted. But what if your friend calls attention to her "speck" and asks for advice/ feedback/ help with her speck? Well, I'm glad you have asked such a poinient question missy!
Matthew 7:4 "How can you think of saying, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye' when you can't see past the board in your own eye?" So before we go running around, looking down at the woman that has lost one too many battles with Breyer's, we must analyze ourselves for the boards in our own eyes.
In verse 5 of the same passage Jesus calls this person a hypocrite. An He's serious about it! A hypocrite is defined as 1. a person who pretends to have virtues, morals, or religious beliefs, principles, etc, that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs 2. a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.
In review, it is hypocritical to bad mouth/ criticize/ look down on: a) an overweight person if you are an indulger in something that may not show on your physical exterior. b) a single woman with several children if you have had abortions, close calls, or multiple sex partners. c) a woman wearing a skirt that is too short/ top that is too low/ pants that are too tight if you seek attention in other ways like demeaning others to boost yourself up. Get the picture?
Matthew 7:5 "First get rid of the board from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friends eye." I see this last verse as a message of assistance rather than one of admonition. I used to think the message was "Stop worrying about fixing everyone else until you fix yourself!" But now I see it from a whole new perspective. Think of an airplane oxygen mask. When you take a plane, the instruction for dealing with a loss in cabin pressure is to place your mask on first before making an attempt to help others with their masks. This is not because it is 'every man for himself', it's because I can be of no use to others if I am going down while trying to help them out. Likewise, if I have recognized my board - overeating/ overspending/ lusting of the eyes and flesh - and am working to remove it, I will have more compassion for what the person with the speck is going through and be able to share with them the power that God gives to overcome the specks and boards in the eyes of life.
As followers of Christ we are tasked to help strengthen and build His kingdom. Blind builders with specks and boards in their eyes are pretty ineffective... As we are working get our eyes board free we are to also be compassionate towards others around us who are working to do the same. I'm praying for you ladies! With God all things are possible.
Stay fly girls!
Friday, June 15, 2012
Stay in Your Lane - Part 1
Romans 12:4-21
I used to work with a girl who was a powerhouse at work. We were in sales, and I don't know how she did it but everyone she worked with she seemed to get a sale from. Now I always thought I was good, but she was making me feel pretty inferior. You see from my perspective, if she was in sales and I was in sales we had to pull the same numbers in order for me to feel valuable. That makes sense right? Not so much...
As I was doing my devotions and bible reading I came across Romans 12:6a "God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well." In the context of this passage, this verse can be such a huge relief to most of us. One woman who seems to keep her house clean and her life in order (all while in her sleep) may not have the ability to connect and relate to people the way another woman can. Neither is inferior to the other - they simply have different God given abilities.
Romans12:4-5 "Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of His one body, and we all belong to each other, each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we each belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others."
We all know how disastrous it can be to start comparing ourselves to others! If your hands start looking at your feet and think "Wow, look at those nice shoes. And sheesh, she doesn't soak us in those nice baths and get us massaged like that. She must love them more than us..." Then the hands are envious; they want to be feet and do footly things. They don't feel their position is good enough so they stop being good hands because they are trying to be feet! Now I know this may be an awkward analogy but you get the picture. The moral of the story is - be a great hand instead of an awkward foot - Stay in your lane! The kingdom of God needs hands and feet and all the other parts!
As you do all that you can, in the best way that you can, you will begin to see the areas where God has given you a special function to bless others - at work, at school, at church, and in the world. If you are a great organizer help your local soup kitchen streamline their programs. If you are a great encourager help motivate the people around you when you see they are down. If you are a great cook come to my house and put your gifts to good service. No really... Use your "special function" to benefit the kingdom. God has a function for you, and your function may be different than those you work with or those in your inner circle or family. "And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others." Romans 12:5b
Don't forsake your function; it is your assignment from God. He has done a great work in you, now its time for you to work for Him with a renewed spirit. Amen.
Stay fly girls!
I used to work with a girl who was a powerhouse at work. We were in sales, and I don't know how she did it but everyone she worked with she seemed to get a sale from. Now I always thought I was good, but she was making me feel pretty inferior. You see from my perspective, if she was in sales and I was in sales we had to pull the same numbers in order for me to feel valuable. That makes sense right? Not so much...
As I was doing my devotions and bible reading I came across Romans 12:6a "God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well." In the context of this passage, this verse can be such a huge relief to most of us. One woman who seems to keep her house clean and her life in order (all while in her sleep) may not have the ability to connect and relate to people the way another woman can. Neither is inferior to the other - they simply have different God given abilities.
Romans12:4-5 "Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body. We are all parts of His one body, and we all belong to each other, each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we each belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others."
We all know how disastrous it can be to start comparing ourselves to others! If your hands start looking at your feet and think "Wow, look at those nice shoes. And sheesh, she doesn't soak us in those nice baths and get us massaged like that. She must love them more than us..." Then the hands are envious; they want to be feet and do footly things. They don't feel their position is good enough so they stop being good hands because they are trying to be feet! Now I know this may be an awkward analogy but you get the picture. The moral of the story is - be a great hand instead of an awkward foot - Stay in your lane! The kingdom of God needs hands and feet and all the other parts!
As you do all that you can, in the best way that you can, you will begin to see the areas where God has given you a special function to bless others - at work, at school, at church, and in the world. If you are a great organizer help your local soup kitchen streamline their programs. If you are a great encourager help motivate the people around you when you see they are down. If you are a great cook come to my house and put your gifts to good service. No really... Use your "special function" to benefit the kingdom. God has a function for you, and your function may be different than those you work with or those in your inner circle or family. "And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others." Romans 12:5b
Don't forsake your function; it is your assignment from God. He has done a great work in you, now its time for you to work for Him with a renewed spirit. Amen.
Stay fly girls!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Inner Substance vs. Exterior Materialism
Many of us know this girl, the one who greets you with a big smile and hug then proceeds to say "That top/ dress/ bag/ shoe is so cute! Where did you get it?". No evil eye. No hateful stare. Just a determined and transfixed plan to find out the details of the particular item she is focused on today. In the hierarchy of materialism, labels are worth more than fabrics, and status is based on material possessions. Now in the name of full disclosure, I do like myself a sassy bag/ shoe/ bauble on my person or in my possession. We all do, right? But I have to quell my natural desire to purchase too much material finery, lest I shift my focus on my stuff instead of my Savior.
The trap of materialism takes on many forms with each lady. One girl may not want anything that doesn't have a designer label. One girl may constantly acquire new things, any thing, just to have more. Another may not accept small or mid-sized anything, but instead desire to have the biggest everything - house on the block, car amongst her friends, diamond amongst her co-workers. Do any of these descriptions sound familiar?
Recently I was tasked to complete a project on a sin I have been delivered from and I choose Idolatry. Now my ole' time Christian understanding of idolatry was worshiping other god's above the Lord Jesus. Well, of course I didn't do that! But in gaining a deeper understanding of the term, I learned that craving the things that our conventional society tells us we should have is idolatry. Working extra hard just to get more stuff is idolatry. Focusing on material possessions to mask your internal character flaws is idolatry. Elevating people based on what they have or how they look is idolatry. Materialism is idolatry.
So, ladies scoop up your receipts and return your designer handbags, shred your department store credit cards, and trade in your luxury car for a modest economy car. Not so much, huh... Well let's at least make a commitment to God to honor Him in our outward appearance and our inward thoughts. God's focus is on your heart; your heart is the soil for your thoughts, your thoughts grow your outward actions and appearance. Ask yourself if a spot in your heart is filled when you acquire something that has external value. Then listen to how your inner self answers the question - is it a "yes, but with explanation"? Examine your explanation. As Christian girls we know who God is and His power to fill every void in our life and heart, but as human girls we have to put that knowledge in to action. That's the hard part.
God does not care where your suit was purchased or which season your handbag is from. God wants your whole heart - and if part of your heart is taken up by the things you have or want He can't get into your heart like He really wants to! You may not have to look in your closet and start giving things away, but hey, if the shoe fits...give it to me. (just kidding) If material possessions are driving a wedge between you and your walk with God, decide how to overcome this challenge. Whether by renewing your mind, changing your thought life, or changing your heart, shift your focus from the possessions to God. Remember "Seek ye first he Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33. That which you seek you can only find in God.
Stay fly girls!
The trap of materialism takes on many forms with each lady. One girl may not want anything that doesn't have a designer label. One girl may constantly acquire new things, any thing, just to have more. Another may not accept small or mid-sized anything, but instead desire to have the biggest everything - house on the block, car amongst her friends, diamond amongst her co-workers. Do any of these descriptions sound familiar?
Recently I was tasked to complete a project on a sin I have been delivered from and I choose Idolatry. Now my ole' time Christian understanding of idolatry was worshiping other god's above the Lord Jesus. Well, of course I didn't do that! But in gaining a deeper understanding of the term, I learned that craving the things that our conventional society tells us we should have is idolatry. Working extra hard just to get more stuff is idolatry. Focusing on material possessions to mask your internal character flaws is idolatry. Elevating people based on what they have or how they look is idolatry. Materialism is idolatry.
So, ladies scoop up your receipts and return your designer handbags, shred your department store credit cards, and trade in your luxury car for a modest economy car. Not so much, huh... Well let's at least make a commitment to God to honor Him in our outward appearance and our inward thoughts. God's focus is on your heart; your heart is the soil for your thoughts, your thoughts grow your outward actions and appearance. Ask yourself if a spot in your heart is filled when you acquire something that has external value. Then listen to how your inner self answers the question - is it a "yes, but with explanation"? Examine your explanation. As Christian girls we know who God is and His power to fill every void in our life and heart, but as human girls we have to put that knowledge in to action. That's the hard part.
God does not care where your suit was purchased or which season your handbag is from. God wants your whole heart - and if part of your heart is taken up by the things you have or want He can't get into your heart like He really wants to! You may not have to look in your closet and start giving things away, but hey, if the shoe fits...give it to me. (just kidding) If material possessions are driving a wedge between you and your walk with God, decide how to overcome this challenge. Whether by renewing your mind, changing your thought life, or changing your heart, shift your focus from the possessions to God. Remember "Seek ye first he Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Matthew 6:33. That which you seek you can only find in God.
Stay fly girls!
Monday, August 29, 2011
Number Crunchers
Scene: The dressing room of your favorite boutique/department store/dress shop.
Characters: You, your best shopping companion, your mom, the sales consultant.
Situation: A closure that will not comply with it's intended purpose.
You have managed to get into the dress without assistance, but when it comes to the zipper/snaps/buttons, you have to call for back up. Stat! Everyone takes a go at it while you inhale deeply and hold... 1-2-3-4... No luck. Enter 'man-logic': Just get a bigger size. (Thank God there are no men around to utter this horrific phrase that no one wants to hear, but everyone is thinking!)
Raise your hand if you have been one of the characters in this situation. Our self image is tied in so many cases to the numbers we are attached to. Clothing size, shoe size, weight, waist size, bust size. I've seen ladies with sparkling smiles and bubbly personalities reduced to blank stares and shrugs when they have to go to another size just to fit their hips/behind/thighs/bust/back. Neither shame, nor pride, should be derived from numbers.
Psalm 139:14 reads "I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well." God's purpose for your life brings glory to the body that you may not be happy with. So who has the wrong perspective, you or God? My vote is that it's you.
Lord knows I've had plenty of days wishing that this was a bit smaller, and those were a bit bigger...but when I see myself through God's lens and not the world's, I can certainly appreciate what He sees in me. Amen!
Characters: You, your best shopping companion, your mom, the sales consultant.
Situation: A closure that will not comply with it's intended purpose.
You have managed to get into the dress without assistance, but when it comes to the zipper/snaps/buttons, you have to call for back up. Stat! Everyone takes a go at it while you inhale deeply and hold... 1-2-3-4... No luck. Enter 'man-logic': Just get a bigger size. (Thank God there are no men around to utter this horrific phrase that no one wants to hear, but everyone is thinking!)
Raise your hand if you have been one of the characters in this situation. Our self image is tied in so many cases to the numbers we are attached to. Clothing size, shoe size, weight, waist size, bust size. I've seen ladies with sparkling smiles and bubbly personalities reduced to blank stares and shrugs when they have to go to another size just to fit their hips/behind/thighs/bust/back. Neither shame, nor pride, should be derived from numbers.
Psalm 139:14 reads "I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well." God's purpose for your life brings glory to the body that you may not be happy with. So who has the wrong perspective, you or God? My vote is that it's you.
Lord knows I've had plenty of days wishing that this was a bit smaller, and those were a bit bigger...but when I see myself through God's lens and not the world's, I can certainly appreciate what He sees in me. Amen!
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