I chose this title because years ago, I worked for a chiropractor. And one of our favorite patients referred to us who worked in the office as, “womens”. It has been an endearing idiom ever since.
We ‘womens’ are sometimes our own worst enemies when it comes to our opinions of ourselves. We often think the worst of ourselves when no one else is thinking anything remotely like that. We tend to criticize our own appearance, or performance; and even question our worth. In our own minds, we magnify our failures; and we have a hard time forgiving ourselves.
Have you ever had those kinds of thoughts? Well, you are not alone! We are all susceptible to this kind of thinking because we live in a world that promotes it. BUT those thoughts are lies. Worldly thoughts that tear us down are at cross-purposes with the Bible’s truth. Therefore, they are lies.
The Bible instructs us to align our thinking with what It says. And God says that women are precious, beautiful, industrious, trustworthy, strong, generous, kind, honorable, wise, praiseworthy, blessed, and virtuous. (Proverbs 31:10-31) To think less of ourselves than that, is denying our rightful state that God credits us as having.
We always have two ways of thinking – our own critical negative opinions; or God’s view of who we truly can be and are. (Pretty much polar opposites!) And it all boils down to which way we choose to think. We determine what thoughts we adhere to. We can make up our minds to cling to the positives instead of hanging on to the negatives. It’s our choice, and it takes consistent work to maintain.
It is easy for our minds to fall into negative habit patterns because that thinking gets the world’s endorsement. We are pummeled with information designed to bring us down so that we think we need to have whatever is being marketed to make us feel better. For example, images of super-models can demean our opinion of our own appearance. So we think we need all the make-up, clothes, accessories, exercise equipment, and diets that are being advertised. And after we have purchased all of it, we might feel better for a moment – until we see the next super-model. Then we need new and better things, which the merchants are all too happy to provide. And the cycle repeats. There is nothing wrong with buying any of the things listed above if you want or need them. It is the motivation for getting them that can be problematic. There is no question that a beautiful new dress can make you feel like a million bucks. But what happens when you take it off? Are you less than enthralled by what you see? That is how the scheme works to keep you needy and willing to buy.
The truth is that the outside will never change unless the inside changes first. I have seen absolutely beautiful women who have a poor opinion of themselves, be miserable and defeated. And I have seen women with modest looks shine as lovely stars because they feel good about themselves. The difference is inside, not out.
Appearance is just one example of how the worldly schemes can keep us downhearted. Similar tactics are employed in many other categories as well. And these tactics usually involve comparing ourselves to someone else. Maybe we’re not as successful as our friend, or as talented, or as popular. The worldly scheme talks us into feeling poorly about our own accomplishments instead of being happy for our friend’s success. We may find ourselves feeling jealous or resentful, which can work against our positive attitude as well.
There are myriads of schemes that may trip us up if we don’t guard our minds. Perhaps a callous comment, or thoughtless remark can resonate in our minds until we accept its consequences. Harsh criticism or hurtful words can wound us to the point of doubting our own self-worth. And painful experiences can send us into the darkened depths of our souls.
When we face any circumstances that cause us to feel badly about ourselves, we must stop, grab our minds, and remember who we truly are. Each one of us is unique and has something unique to offer. There is not another person on earth who is exactly like you. So if you don’t give it your best shot, there will be a gap that no one else can fill. And we can’t give it our best shot if we’re tied up in knots feeling poorly about ourselves.
The Bible is clear about the importance of each and every one of us who believe. The benefits of being born again and the promises in God’s Word enable us to be the absolute best we can be. And they give us all the ammunition we need to fight against the schemes of the world that are designed to tear us down. The virtuous woman is in the heart. And when she lives in us, we certainly will be able to overcome the worldly negatives that do their darnedest to discourage us. And we will shine as lights in the world and in our own eyes!
Our contributions may not change the world – but if we don’t make them, we’ll never know.
Here is a quote from my favorite Bible teacher:
“If believers ever again catch a glimpse of how dear, beautiful and important they are to the Father, it will transform their very lives.” Dr. VP Wierwille
Note to my readers: YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!