I know not everyone on this board is a Christian and I am not attempting to beat anyone overt he head with my Bible, but last Sunday my pastor gave us a verse from scripture that fits well with this discussion. This is addressed to wives, but is suitable to all women.
1 Peter 3:3-4 3)Your beauty should not come from utward adornment, such as braided hair and wearing of gold jewlery and fine clothes. 4)Instead, 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.
Another is found in Proverbs 31: 10-31...but I found verses 30 and 31 to the point. The other verses tell of her deeds and how her words and actions revealed her character. It is that character that makes her beautiful. Verse 30 says "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."
Our culture tells us we need to be a big breasted, tiny waisted, toned woman without fat, wrinkle, or blemish. We must have the perfect body, an attractive face, silky hair, and dress like a prostitute. If we don't, we are not going to attract a man, get a good job, get respect, get noticed, get invited or included, get just pay, etc. We are then told that women ashould just shout louder and become the "B" in order to get what we deserve. If we are "too nice" we'll get trampled. So, now we have a bunch of insecure, hurting, ticked off, women who are trying to act like a "B" and only succeeding in being seen as a "fat, lazy, B"! It has backfired!!!!
But the Bible tells us that the outside is not what is important. Sure, it recognizes physical attraction, but the emphasis should be on character, integrity, wisdom, compassion, mercy, love, responsibility, willingness to work, etc. We all know the idiot girl or B girl who gets all kinds of attention just because of her looks. But, can real men of character stand to be around her for more than 5 minutes? No intelligent conversation? A bad attitude and horrible personality? Self-centered-ness? The looks may draw some in initially, but if she is cruel or just not enjoyable to be around, she suddenly becomes very ugly. We focus, because our culture has conditioned us to focus, on the exterior. Imagine what this world would be like if we worked on our character as hard as we work on our weight loss or muscle building. Do you really think that a person who is eating a meal or wearing clothes or benefiting from a financial donation cares at all whether the gift is from a person who is overweight? If your life was just saved by a surgeon, would his size matter?
I admit, I fall victim to seeing me as my weight. If I am heavier, I am tempted to sulk and feel "gross" and less worthy, less attractive, just LESS. But then I remember, my children don't care what I weigh. I'm Mommy and they love me. My husband is the same way. My weight does not impact my character. I have decided to make an effort to improve ME not my waistline. I think as I change my focus...and stop thinking so much about ME-ME-ME...how I look, how my clothes fit, what I get to eat...how much...and when, I should STOP, be thankful that I have clothes and food and focus more on others. Maybe if i get busy with others, i'll forget about food 9it won't be such a focus) and maybe I'll actually lose weight??? Who knows. Regardless, God sees my heart. He couldn't care less what the scale says. I want to be pleasing in His sight....and He is looking at me the way society is. I want Him to be pleased with my heart.
Love to you ladies and all who are struggling with this.
xoxox
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