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.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Insecurity
Dear Beautiful,
Have you ever felt beat up by your insecurities? I know I
have. Sometimes I feel like they eat me alive. Thoughts of
self-doubt and negativity swirling around in my mind over and over feeling as
if there is no escape. Analyzing and reanalyzing my every move, words,
thoughts. Over and over and over and over again until I find myself
completely exhausted. Exhaustion that extends beyond my body to my mind,
my heart, and my soul. Sound familiar?
When I am plagued with insecurity it feels like I am fighting a
losing battle, oftentimes with no hope of recovery. I hate insecurity,
but I hate Satan even more for tempting us to think of ourselves as less than
who we are. When I am in the
midst of the battle, I have to remind myself that Satan is my enemy, as opposed to those I am tempted to compare myself to or even myself who I am tempted to
continuously beat up with self-doubt and hurtful words.
It is so hard not to fall into the trap of believing Satan's lies,
but I am pleading with you not to listen. He is referred to as the father
of lies (John 8:44) and will do all within his power to tear you down, but God always
provides a way out of temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). When you feel like you’re being eaten alive
by insecurities, take time to pray, call a friend, or remind yourself about what
God says about you...
You are loved (Psalm 100:5).
You are beautiful (Psalm 139:14).
You are never alone (Deuteronomy 31:8).
You have worth and value (Matthew 10:29-31).
Lies must be fought with the Truth.
Don’t give up.
Keep fighting.
The Truth will win.
Beauty Tip #7:
Spend at least fifteen minutes this week reading about what God says
about you.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Fragile
Dear Beautiful,
We all have 'em. Those days when we’re feeling burdened by the weight of our problems or our pain. Those days when it seems like all it will take is one more thing – big or tiny – and we will be headed for a breakdown. I often to refer to myself as “fragile” when I am experiencing those moments, days, weeks, months, seasons.
Now that I've written that, it sounds kind of silly and ridiculous, but the truth is, I feel it. I mean, who wouldn't want a life free of trouble, pain, heartache, loss, and problems? However, I guess if that’s what earth was like – problem and trouble-free, we wouldn’t need Heaven, and that's a place where we will finally have no more pain or tears and I look forward to that! But how do we make it through in the meantime?
Somewhere along the way, many of us were told a lie that sounded something like this, “In order to be beautiful, you must be perfect and look like you have it all together 24/7.” What a big fat lie! Jesus speaks the Truth when he tells us that we are going to face trouble in this world, and yes, He reminds us of His promises and the hope He gives us even in the midst of trouble, but that does not deny the fact that He straight up tells us we will have trouble...So why do we pretend like we don’t have trouble or that we’re not hurting or carrying heavy burdens?
I know all too well how pretending to have it all together or appearing to be perfect seems to be the answer. I have attempted to live the majority of my life this way. However, I have painfully learned that it is one of the heaviest burdens to carry. It is also one of the loneliest. And from my experience, it made it almost impossible to love and accept myself and God's love.
When I pretend to perfect and attempt to hide my fragile moments, I not only hurt myself, I hurt you. When we see another person who appears to have it all together, we immediately feel insecure and it greatly increases our desire to hide our pain and fragility. In the process, it takes us further away from ourselves and the person God created us to be.
I am sorry for hurting you. I am sorry for not showing you my real self. I am fragile, just like you. I am imperfect, just life you. I have trouble, pain, heartache, loss, and problems, just like you. YET, I am beautiful and so are you. One of the most amazing gifts I have ever received from a person is permission to be myself. When people in my life choose to be authentic and show their less than perfect self, it gives me permission to do the same, and it is the most beautiful, freeing thing in the world.
Just a side note, I am not encouraging you to post your deepest, darkest secrets on Facebook or walk around with a banner than displays your pain and imperfections, but I am saying that when you're in the midst of those chosen few - those people in your life that you can truly trust, be yourself. Take off your masks. Don't hide your pain. Be free from the burden of perfection.
It's no secret that each of us has trouble and pain; Jesus Himself told us we were going to so...
Let's stop hiding.
Let's take off our masks.
Let's stop believing the lie that perfection is beauty.
Let's be our authentic selves and in the process give others permission to do the same.
Again, it's not perfection and having it all together that makes you beautiful, it's being your authentic self. And when you are yourself, you give me permission to do the same, and I am so grateful for this amazing gift.
Beauty Tip #6: The next time you feel like running away and hiding your pain and/or imperfection, choose to share your authentic self with a trusted friend, family member, mentor, and/or your Creator.
We all have 'em. Those days when we’re feeling burdened by the weight of our problems or our pain. Those days when it seems like all it will take is one more thing – big or tiny – and we will be headed for a breakdown. I often to refer to myself as “fragile” when I am experiencing those moments, days, weeks, months, seasons.
In John 16:33 (NIV), Jesus says to his followers, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”I have always found this verse very interesting because Jesus basically says, “You are going to have trouble, pain, heartache, loss, and problems in this world...HOWEVER, remember I will be with you; I am mighty to save you; I have overcome the things you’re facing; I’m bigger than what you’re experiencing; and I will give you peace even in the midst of the ugliest circumstances.” That's great and all, but honestly I have often wished this verse said, “Don’t worry about having problems or trouble because you won’t.”
Now that I've written that, it sounds kind of silly and ridiculous, but the truth is, I feel it. I mean, who wouldn't want a life free of trouble, pain, heartache, loss, and problems? However, I guess if that’s what earth was like – problem and trouble-free, we wouldn’t need Heaven, and that's a place where we will finally have no more pain or tears and I look forward to that! But how do we make it through in the meantime?
Somewhere along the way, many of us were told a lie that sounded something like this, “In order to be beautiful, you must be perfect and look like you have it all together 24/7.” What a big fat lie! Jesus speaks the Truth when he tells us that we are going to face trouble in this world, and yes, He reminds us of His promises and the hope He gives us even in the midst of trouble, but that does not deny the fact that He straight up tells us we will have trouble...So why do we pretend like we don’t have trouble or that we’re not hurting or carrying heavy burdens?
I know all too well how pretending to have it all together or appearing to be perfect seems to be the answer. I have attempted to live the majority of my life this way. However, I have painfully learned that it is one of the heaviest burdens to carry. It is also one of the loneliest. And from my experience, it made it almost impossible to love and accept myself and God's love.
When I pretend to perfect and attempt to hide my fragile moments, I not only hurt myself, I hurt you. When we see another person who appears to have it all together, we immediately feel insecure and it greatly increases our desire to hide our pain and fragility. In the process, it takes us further away from ourselves and the person God created us to be.
I am sorry for hurting you. I am sorry for not showing you my real self. I am fragile, just like you. I am imperfect, just life you. I have trouble, pain, heartache, loss, and problems, just like you. YET, I am beautiful and so are you. One of the most amazing gifts I have ever received from a person is permission to be myself. When people in my life choose to be authentic and show their less than perfect self, it gives me permission to do the same, and it is the most beautiful, freeing thing in the world.
Just a side note, I am not encouraging you to post your deepest, darkest secrets on Facebook or walk around with a banner than displays your pain and imperfections, but I am saying that when you're in the midst of those chosen few - those people in your life that you can truly trust, be yourself. Take off your masks. Don't hide your pain. Be free from the burden of perfection.
It's no secret that each of us has trouble and pain; Jesus Himself told us we were going to so...
Let's stop hiding.
Let's take off our masks.
Let's stop believing the lie that perfection is beauty.
Let's be our authentic selves and in the process give others permission to do the same.
Again, it's not perfection and having it all together that makes you beautiful, it's being your authentic self. And when you are yourself, you give me permission to do the same, and I am so grateful for this amazing gift.
Beauty Tip #6: The next time you feel like running away and hiding your pain and/or imperfection, choose to share your authentic self with a trusted friend, family member, mentor, and/or your Creator.
Monday, October 15, 2012
You have a choice
Dear Beautiful,
Did you catch what I said? Dear Beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. Think about that for a moment and allow it to sink in. You are BEAUTIFUL.
We are so quick to receive negative things said to us or about us, yet we struggle to accept even a simple compliment. Why is that? Why do we insist that the negatives are true and reject the positives?
Today is the day for things to be different. Why go on another day allowing all the negative statements we say to ourselves or hear from others to pierce our minds, hearts, and souls? They steal our joy, our confidence, our freedom, and our lives.
It's time for a change. The next time you catch yourself criticizing who you are or how you look, choose not to dwell on those statements. Choose not to even give them a second thought. They do not deserve your time, you feelings, your energy. And the next time you're given a compliment, choose to accept it. Think about it. Repeat it to yourself. Dare to believe it is true.
Beautiful, the time is now. Don't allow another moment to pass you by. Choose to make things different today.
Beauty Tip #5: The next time you receive a compliment, don't simply dismiss it, dare to believe that it is true, and make a choice to believe it is. Practice often.
Did you catch what I said? Dear Beautiful. BEAUTIFUL. Think about that for a moment and allow it to sink in. You are BEAUTIFUL.
We are so quick to receive negative things said to us or about us, yet we struggle to accept even a simple compliment. Why is that? Why do we insist that the negatives are true and reject the positives?
Today is the day for things to be different. Why go on another day allowing all the negative statements we say to ourselves or hear from others to pierce our minds, hearts, and souls? They steal our joy, our confidence, our freedom, and our lives.
It's time for a change. The next time you catch yourself criticizing who you are or how you look, choose not to dwell on those statements. Choose not to even give them a second thought. They do not deserve your time, you feelings, your energy. And the next time you're given a compliment, choose to accept it. Think about it. Repeat it to yourself. Dare to believe it is true.
Beautiful, the time is now. Don't allow another moment to pass you by. Choose to make things different today.
Beauty Tip #5: The next time you receive a compliment, don't simply dismiss it, dare to believe that it is true, and make a choice to believe it is. Practice often.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Change
Dear Beautiful,
You can't live your life without experiencing change. Sometimes change is bad, but sometimes it can be oh so delightful. However, in order to experience this delight, you must take risks. Make that decision, use your talents, go back to school, do what you've always been dreaming about.
Yes, it will be frightening, and your insecurities may attempt to eat you alive, but it's worth it. This fear will be momentary in comparison to your entire lifetime. It will decrease and as your insecurities dissipate, your confidence will grow. You will continue on your journey towards becoming who God created you to be.
This new thing will not be perfect and you will fail at times, but taking the risk, making that choice, pursuing that dream will be so much better than settling for what's safe and comfortable. Please don't allow your fear and desire for comfort to prevent you from becoming who God created you to be. It isn't worth it. Don't miss out on what He has in store for you.
Beauty Tip #4: Make a list of your fears that you feel prevent you from becoming who God created you to be. Write a prayer to God about these fears and ask Him if there is anything He has wanted you to do that you've been afraid of.
You can't live your life without experiencing change. Sometimes change is bad, but sometimes it can be oh so delightful. However, in order to experience this delight, you must take risks. Make that decision, use your talents, go back to school, do what you've always been dreaming about.
Yes, it will be frightening, and your insecurities may attempt to eat you alive, but it's worth it. This fear will be momentary in comparison to your entire lifetime. It will decrease and as your insecurities dissipate, your confidence will grow. You will continue on your journey towards becoming who God created you to be.
This new thing will not be perfect and you will fail at times, but taking the risk, making that choice, pursuing that dream will be so much better than settling for what's safe and comfortable. Please don't allow your fear and desire for comfort to prevent you from becoming who God created you to be. It isn't worth it. Don't miss out on what He has in store for you.
Beauty Tip #4: Make a list of your fears that you feel prevent you from becoming who God created you to be. Write a prayer to God about these fears and ask Him if there is anything He has wanted you to do that you've been afraid of.
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Hope and a Future
Dear Beautiful,
I know your journey has been hard and long. Don't give up.
God has a plan for your life. A plan that includes hope and a future.
Keep trusting. Keep hoping.
You are loved.
You have hope.
You have a future.
Beauty Tip #3: Make a list of some dreams and/or goals you have for your future. Talk to God about them and ask Him for guidance. If you feel like He's let you down during hard times, write a letter to Him about your feelings. He will bring healing and hope again.
I know your journey has been hard and long. Don't give up.
God has a plan for your life. A plan that includes hope and a future.
"'For I know the plans I have for you', says the Lord, 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope'." Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)I know you've experienced really painful times in your life, and that these times have made it difficult to trust that God loves you and has good plans for you, but He does. His Words are true even when they don't feel like it. I promise.
Keep trusting. Keep hoping.
You are loved.
You have hope.
You have a future.
Beauty Tip #3: Make a list of some dreams and/or goals you have for your future. Talk to God about them and ask Him for guidance. If you feel like He's let you down during hard times, write a letter to Him about your feelings. He will bring healing and hope again.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Shine Brightly
Dear Beautiful,
Your smile can light up a room and just the simple sound of your laughter brings joy to many.
Your beauty and joy are radiant and contagious.
Don't allow others to try to steal your beauty or joy.
Instead, surround yourself with people who embrace this beauty and encourage you and build you up.
You deserve to have people in your life who love who you are and encourage you to become who God created you to be.
Smile.
Laugh.
Shine Brightly.
Beauty Tip #2: Make a list of people in your life who embrace your beauty, encourage you, and build you up. Make plans to spend time with one of these people in the coming week.
Your smile can light up a room and just the simple sound of your laughter brings joy to many.
Your beauty and joy are radiant and contagious.
Don't allow others to try to steal your beauty or joy.
Instead, surround yourself with people who embrace this beauty and encourage you and build you up.
You deserve to have people in your life who love who you are and encourage you to become who God created you to be.
Smile.
Laugh.
Shine Brightly.
Beauty Tip #2: Make a list of people in your life who embrace your beauty, encourage you, and build you up. Make plans to spend time with one of these people in the coming week.
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