disastrouslyredeemed

There are a lot of places that we’d rather ‘fit in’ than not…..

• Our jeans
• A bikini
• Amongst our family and friends
• Our job
• With other women (probably at the top of the list for many of us)

I often find myself in situations where I really feel like I don’t ‘fit in’!!! It’s unfortunate because it’s definitely my own perception of the situation, not the reality. I’m not sure why I allow this to happen, but I am learning to stop the cycle before it gets out of control. Learning… not accomplished!!!

I usually find myself pretty comfortable, at first, in most situations. It’s only after I sit there for a while, observe other people around me, that my wheels start spinning… you see, me and thinking too much really don’t go together. When given the time to get lost in my thoughts, that usually leads to disaster.

I start looking around the room at the other women. I notice their trendy outfits, great hair, jewelry, long painted finger nails, designer bags, great make-up application… you know… all the stuff that might make a girl feel ‘less than’ if they don’t have all of those things themselves. Now, it’s not that I DON’T have some of those things, and it’s not that every other women has ALL of those things… but I surely do like to focus on those things that I don’t have. Why do we get so wrapped up in what other people have and forget our own blessings, value, worth, talents, goals, and dreams sometimes?

I bet that most of us have been in this situation at one time or another!!! Well, have you ever considered that maybe another woman in that room is looking at you and feeling the SAME thing? Yes… you!!! I know, I know… it seems hard to believe. I mean, if you’ve ever felt like I have at times, then you know what it feels like to feel horrible about yourself. You know what it feels like to compare yourself to other women and always come out at the bottom. You know what it feels like to want to crawl into a hole and hide from the world. And it seems like a cruel joke to think someone else might just not see what you see and instead see something beautiful.

Changing these patterns of thinking does not come easily. I know firsthand that it can seem impossible… I mean, you are who you are after all, you have your own two eyes, and when you look in the mirror you see what you see. But what if that vision is distorted? Distorted by years of believing lies. The lies that Satan uses to get you where he wants you. The lies you hear in those situations where you feel like you don’t ‘fit in’…

• I am so unstylish and frumpy
• My hair is too short, too long, too dark, too light
• I’m so klutzy
• I’m too fat, too thin, too tall, too short
• I’m so stupid
• I wonder what everyone is thinking when they look at me
• Oh why can’t I just stop thinking…

Oh, I’ve been there!!! I want to encourage you to think about the fact that if you are thinking these types of things, how many other women in the room are thinking similar things? Chances are you’re not the only one.

Can we readjust our habits? Can we train ourselves to stop BEFORE our thoughts run wild? I think so! I know so! Because I’m learning how and if I can do it, you can definitely do it!!! The first thing you can do to help yourself is to recognize those thoughts as lies. Ephesians 6:11 tells us to “put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes (NIV).” Jesus gives you the power to stand up against Satan. James 4:7 tells us to “submit therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you (NIV).” You just need to have a little faith, turn to God for strength! Satan can never compete with Jesus.

Think about the positive things in your life… come on now… there has to be at least ONE (I think more, but you might need convincing)!!! I started by reminding myself of all of the people in my life that love me and that I love! I bet you there’s a few, and the joy you can find in relationships is always something to be happy about! Next I started thinking about my kids and how no matter what happens, their smiles lighten up my day. Trying to think of those few positive things as my mind wants to wander south really helps me to focus on reality.

Now the really tough stuff. You are beautiful! You are loved! You have strengths! And you have weaknesses! No one is perfect, no women has the perfect life, the perfect body, the perfect career, the perfect children, the perfect husband! It may seem like it, but remember looks can be deceiving! Train your mind to focus on the positive and your own unique beauty! If you truly can’t come up with anything positive about yourself (I’ve been there too) ask one of those loving, trusting friends or family members what they see in you! Believe them! They’re telling you the truth! You may just be a little surprised at what they have to say!

This is what the Lord has to say to you and about you…

Isaiah 41:10 – So do not fear, for I am with you; I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (NIV)

Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (NIV)

 

 

 

 

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