“You have big legs.”
Best compliment ever. Thanks so much. So I responded in like manner. “So do you.”
I’m not proud of that moment, lol. But I have spent most of my life learning how to process such comments even when I was 105 pounds, size 3. Yes, believe it or not, once upon a time.
How we see ourselves impacts how we function in our relationships and in life.
We can allow shame to cause us to shrink back and be hypersensitive about our appearance unless we walk in a godly confidence that is ours in Christ Jesus, not based on our standing in front of man, but based on our standing before a holy God.
Scripture tells us what God thinks of our appearance in 1 Samuel 16:7: “For the Lord does not see as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
On my recent anniversary trip, I was feeling a little shy (ok, shame) over my appearance. The extra “fluff” has been difficult to get rid of, no thanks to menopause.
But then I had a thought. This shame over how I saw myself arose from comparison—comparison to a younger me or comparison to others.
What if I dared to be ok in my own skin? So I smiled and decided I was going to stop beating myself up.
– Instead of seeing wrinkles, I saw laugh lines where I chose joy.
– Instead of seeing “fluff,” I saw reminders that I had the privilege of bearing children.
– Instead of seeing age spots, I saw the blessing of growing older.
I hope this helps someone today. How you see yourself is probably not how God or loved ones see you.
It seemed fitting to send this picture of me sans makeup with wild hair from this past week.
This is me. And I like me just as God made me, even as the years change me—fluff, wrinkles, and all.🙌🏼❤️
God does not measure your worth by your waistline.
Check out the Seeing Deep blog this week as we kick off focusing on gratitude this month for the things we often overlook.