Dear Beautiful,
A couple weeks ago I heard a message about the importance of speaking blessings opposed to curses over someone, and it got me thinking. It got me thinking about how quick we are to speak curses over ourselves, yet often neglect to speak blessings. It seems like the moment we make a mistake, we instantly begin beating ourselves up, "Why did you say that? You're so stupid." We get out our boxing gloves and continuously punch ourselves in the face instead of offering ourselves the grace we would offer a friend.
When a friends says or does the things we would beat ourselves up for, we quickly brush it off and recognize it as no big deal or a mistake. We are quick to offer support and encouragement because we know that choice or action or word does not define who they are. We know who they are. We know their hearts. We know their personalities. We know their friendship. We know their beauty. But when we say or do it, it's a tragedy that defines who we are. And it isn't just because we are drama queens. It's because we tend to critique our entire being, worth, and value on every individual decision we make, action we do, or word we say.
The root of the problem isn't what we do or say in that moment...it is our desire to be perfect. It isn't the choice that is made or the action that is done or the words that are said, it is the fact that in our minds, those decisions, actions, or words make us less than perfect. And when we are attempting to find our worth and value in our performance, we must be perfect or else. Or else, we are not worthy. We are not valuable. We are not lovable.
Somewhere along the way, we have strayed from God's words and what He says about us. It is not our performance that makes us worthy, valuable, or lovable. He offers us worth, value, and love because of who He is and what He has done for us. We need to begin receiving God's blessings and stop cursing ourselves. We need to receive His grace when we feel like we fail to measure up. We need to receive His forgiveness when we fail to do what is right. We need to accept His love when we fall short. We need to know that God does not simply define us by who we are in that moment, but by who we are in Him.
Beauty Tip #10: The next time you are tempted to speak curses over yourself, ask God to help you receive His blessings of grace, forgiveness, and love then take time to journal about your experience.
Sunday, November 25, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Dear Beautiful,
Don't believe the lies the mirror tells you when you are looking at your reflection. It is very deceptive and distorts the Truth. It tricks you into thinking that your hips are too wide or your butt is too big or your thighs are too fat. It presents a distorted picture of reality. It is quick to magnify what it refers to as "flaws" which in reality are things that others rarely notice. It takes your eyes towards "imperfections" and steals your attention from the beauty that is truly staring you in the face.
The mirror does not see what I see. It does not see your heart. It does not know your personality. It fails to see the beauty that radiates when you treat someone with loving-kindness. It does not see you reflecting the beauty of your Creator when you love one another as yourself. It does not notice the joy that glimmers from your beautiful smile. How could it? It is impossible for the mirror to see your beauty when it is focused on stealing your confidence, your innocence, your joy, your beauty by attempting to deceive you into believing that you are less than and not good enough.
A mirror cannot answer our questions of our identity, our worth, and our value. A mirror cannot and will not tell us that we are good enough. A mirror is deceptive and distorts our perception of God's beautiful creation - us. Please do not put your hopes, dreams, worth, value, and identity into a mirror's perception of you. It's perspective is limited and a distorted version of reality.
You were created for a purpose and with purpose. You were created to reflect the beauty of your Creator. A beauty that is beyond skin deep. A beauty that far exceeds any beauty displayed by one's physical appearance. A beauty the extends beyond a number on the scale and numerous birthdays. A beauty that is indescribable and undefinable, yet is so tangible that it touches other's hearts and changes who they are.
This is the beauty given to you by your Creator. This is beauty that comes from Him living in you and shining through you. I see this beauty in each one and you. And this beauty makes you one of the most beautiful women in the world.
Beauty Tip #9: What are some of the lies the mirror tells you? Make a list of these lies and pray with a trusted friend or on your own about these areas and ask God to show you His Truth.
Don't believe the lies the mirror tells you when you are looking at your reflection. It is very deceptive and distorts the Truth. It tricks you into thinking that your hips are too wide or your butt is too big or your thighs are too fat. It presents a distorted picture of reality. It is quick to magnify what it refers to as "flaws" which in reality are things that others rarely notice. It takes your eyes towards "imperfections" and steals your attention from the beauty that is truly staring you in the face.
The mirror does not see what I see. It does not see your heart. It does not know your personality. It fails to see the beauty that radiates when you treat someone with loving-kindness. It does not see you reflecting the beauty of your Creator when you love one another as yourself. It does not notice the joy that glimmers from your beautiful smile. How could it? It is impossible for the mirror to see your beauty when it is focused on stealing your confidence, your innocence, your joy, your beauty by attempting to deceive you into believing that you are less than and not good enough.
A mirror cannot answer our questions of our identity, our worth, and our value. A mirror cannot and will not tell us that we are good enough. A mirror is deceptive and distorts our perception of God's beautiful creation - us. Please do not put your hopes, dreams, worth, value, and identity into a mirror's perception of you. It's perspective is limited and a distorted version of reality.
You were created for a purpose and with purpose. You were created to reflect the beauty of your Creator. A beauty that is beyond skin deep. A beauty that far exceeds any beauty displayed by one's physical appearance. A beauty the extends beyond a number on the scale and numerous birthdays. A beauty that is indescribable and undefinable, yet is so tangible that it touches other's hearts and changes who they are.
This is the beauty given to you by your Creator. This is beauty that comes from Him living in you and shining through you. I see this beauty in each one and you. And this beauty makes you one of the most beautiful women in the world.
Beauty Tip #9: What are some of the lies the mirror tells you? Make a list of these lies and pray with a trusted friend or on your own about these areas and ask God to show you His Truth.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Control
Dear Beautiful,
I have a confession. I have an addiction to my desire for control. When I am really honest with myself, I must admit that I have at different times in my life attempted to control situations, circumstances, and even people. Feeling like I am in control gives me this false sense of security, safety, and predictability in a chaotic world.
Although, I know in my brain that my feeble attempt to control people, things, and situations is futile and quite honestly makes me a crazy person, I still try. Sometimes I feel like I cannot help it, but I know that is lie. However, this deep longing for stability, security, and safety within me drives me to at least try.
This year has been a year of growth. I have come face to face with my lack of control over my life, my circumstances, my desires, my hopes, and my dreams and it hurts. It's extremely painful and candidly, I hate every minute of it. Lately, however, I have been noticing that something is changing inside of me.
I am learning to let go. Slowly, very slowly, but I am learning. I am learning, since I have no control anyways, to spend less of my life, energy, and time attempting to control everything. I am learning that I am a much better person when I do not attempt to control everything. I am learning that I can more easily reflect God's peace when I trust His faithfulness and love for me.
I totally get our desire for control, I mean I really get it. However, I am challenging us to try to control less in our life. I am challenging us to find rest in God's control by believing He is trustworthy. I am challenging us to let go and receive the peace and freedom that comes from surrender.
I know how painful and difficult this is, but I also know how radiant we are when we don't actively attempt to control people, situations, and circumstances in our life and truly learn how to let go. It's not a one time surrender, but sometimes a minute by minute, day by day surrender. However, it is one that will bring much peace, freedom, rest, and beauty into our lives.
Beauty Tip #8: Spend some honest time in prayer asking God to show you the areas in your life that you attempt to control and ask Him to help you begin the process of letting go.
I have a confession. I have an addiction to my desire for control. When I am really honest with myself, I must admit that I have at different times in my life attempted to control situations, circumstances, and even people. Feeling like I am in control gives me this false sense of security, safety, and predictability in a chaotic world.
Although, I know in my brain that my feeble attempt to control people, things, and situations is futile and quite honestly makes me a crazy person, I still try. Sometimes I feel like I cannot help it, but I know that is lie. However, this deep longing for stability, security, and safety within me drives me to at least try.
This year has been a year of growth. I have come face to face with my lack of control over my life, my circumstances, my desires, my hopes, and my dreams and it hurts. It's extremely painful and candidly, I hate every minute of it. Lately, however, I have been noticing that something is changing inside of me.
I am learning to let go. Slowly, very slowly, but I am learning. I am learning, since I have no control anyways, to spend less of my life, energy, and time attempting to control everything. I am learning that I am a much better person when I do not attempt to control everything. I am learning that I can more easily reflect God's peace when I trust His faithfulness and love for me.
I totally get our desire for control, I mean I really get it. However, I am challenging us to try to control less in our life. I am challenging us to find rest in God's control by believing He is trustworthy. I am challenging us to let go and receive the peace and freedom that comes from surrender.
I know how painful and difficult this is, but I also know how radiant we are when we don't actively attempt to control people, situations, and circumstances in our life and truly learn how to let go. It's not a one time surrender, but sometimes a minute by minute, day by day surrender. However, it is one that will bring much peace, freedom, rest, and beauty into our lives.
Beauty Tip #8: Spend some honest time in prayer asking God to show you the areas in your life that you attempt to control and ask Him to help you begin the process of letting go.
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