Do You Measure Up?

Do find yourself comparing yourself to the pictures of the models while you’re shopping? Isn’t she just gorgeous? (...aside from the lack of modesty most of the time.) But isn’t her skin flawless? Her eyes so intensely alive? Her hair so beautiful with a healthy shine? Her clothes she just bought from {insert store here} the perfect match?

I’ve tried to be very careful about not comparing myself to the media, but I’ve found that I do it unconsciously! This is what opened my eyes –

My husband just achieved a new job – videograpy and photography. He’s a videographer already, but he’s had to do some research to be a photographer. And what he’s learning about editing photos...! It’s nuts. I’ve watched several of his tutorials while he watched them. My husband now knows how to paint with lighting to intensify eyes, make noses smaller, and modify hair colors. He can make me a “natural” blonde without me ever dying my hair! He knows how to touch up colors of an outfit to make it match perfectly, to take out blemishes of the skin! He can even add makeup to a makeup-less model! What?! And I’ve been trying to compare myself to these women?! No wonder I haven’t been measuring up!

Now what? How do you fight this constant battle? Those thoughts and comparisons jump in your mind before you realize what’s happened! So, I went searching for weapons I could use in this battle. Here they are:

Look For What God Looks For

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

~ 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

~ Proverbs 31:10 (NIV)

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, 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.

~ 1 Peter 3:3-4 (NIV)

Guard Your Heart With His Truth

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

~ Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

~ Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

His Truth Will Set You Free

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

~ John 8:31-32

Now go win that battle!