Perfection. P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N. Ten little letters forming a word that should be thrown out of the human vocabulary, for no one has the ability to obtain it. The dictionary defines ‘perfection’ as:
the condition, state, or quality of being free or free as possible of all flaws or defects.
The funny thing about this definition is that it asserts that being perfect brings freedom from something. Now, I want you to stop and think of a time when you felt the most free. What was that like for you? Who were you with? What triggered that feeling inside of you?
Unmasked and unashamed
Altering ourselves to fit a standard of perfection set by someone, other than God, can actually trap us and prevent us from truly being the women God had designed us to be. True freedom can come from knowing that who we are is not dependent on who others say we are, or whether or not we measure up to someone else’s ideal physical standard.
What we need to realize is that who we are depends on who He says we are.
There is such a freedom in knowing that we are loved and accepted by a Heavenly Father who sees me for the real me. It is freeing to know that we do not have to wear masks around Him or present some false advertisement of ourselves to get Him to continue loving us.
What to truly value
- Have you ever felt the need to please others by living up to their ideal of perfection?
- Are you struggling with breaking free from trying to obtain perfection ? If so, I would encourage you to see the contrast between what Hollywood values and what God values. Here are just a few differences between the two.
1. Your body
Hollywood says... that women should do whatever it takes to be as slender as possible.
God says... He created your inmost being and knit you together to produce something wonderful (Psalm 139: 13-14). This means that the shape you have was picked out for you and you, alone.
God did not intend for people to be cookie cutter images of one another. No, of course not! He designed your body to be different than your mother’s, your sister’s, and your best friend’s. He has given you this body and wants you to enjoy being uniquely crafted! People come in different shapes and sizes and all are beautiful and all are WORTH loving. Embrace whatever shape you are and know that you are one of a kind!
2. Success
Hollywood says... success is having a fancy job and making a lot of money.
God says... success is when we are using the gifts and passions He has given us to make a mark on this world for Him. Colossians 3:17 says, “and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord, Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him”.
What are you passionate about? Do you enjoy writing? Dancing? Basketball? Art? Business? Whatever it is, work hard to bring Him glory and honor. Give thanks for what He has provided for you, and don't rely on worldy measures of money or status to define your success.
3. Your Beauty
Hollywood says... beauty comes from products such as eye-liner, mascara, lipstick, powder, and perfume. The advertisements we see constantly stress this idea and assert that women who wear these products will land the perfect job, be quicker to catch that certain guy’s eye, or somehow be of more worth than those who do not.
God says... Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)
Although I don't believe there is anything wrong with wearing make-up, perfume, etc., I do believe that they have the ability to become a distraction from us working on who we are inside.
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)
This verse tells us what God is truly concerned with - our hearts. It is okay to want to look your best - there is nothing wrong with that! However, what's more important is your inner beauty. He would rather us focus on being women who are completely in love with Him, which manifests itself in our daily walk with Him.
Who will you follow?
So… it’s up to you. Who will you follow? Will you look to the unrealistic standards of perfection set by Hollywood to define yourself, or will you look to God?
Want to know how to scrap the ideals set by Hollywood and live with a healthy mindset based upon God’s truths? Here it is: you must start living in light of the fact that God’s opinion about you matters more than anyone else's. By focusing on God’s opinion of you, you will be breaking the chains of bondage you were once in and running in freedom to a life of perfection—God’s way. Now, doesn’t that sound like a life worth living?
*adapted from here: http://fervr.net/teen-life/are-you-looking-for-perfection
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