“You Be You ~ It’s Time to Embrace the Beauty of Who You Are”

She is clothed with strength and dignity,
    and she laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25 NLT

With all the current talk about acceptance of differences (opinions, lifestyles, political affiliation, denomination, food choices, etc.) why do we have such a difficult time accepting the fact that we are uniquely designed and possess beauty woven in with our own quirkiness?

Has our vision been clouded by such a shadowing of distractions that we cannot (or perhaps, choose to) see what is in the mirror of our spirit and celebrate the talents that are begging to be turned loose?

Or are we mistakenly fixated on all the “glamour” that we see on social media that our comparisons are killing our vision from the inside out?

³ Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. ⁴ You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 1 Peter 3:3-4 NLT

Let’s take a breather here for a moment. If we all looked alike, where would the beauty in variety be? We would resemble something made in a factory and quite honestly, be quite boring.

Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. Genesis 1:26a NCV

You and I were perfectly designed in the Image of GOD. And there are no duplicates. There are no mistakes. GOD does not have an eraser nearby in case of emergencies to fix errors — He is Perfect and creates only perfection.

The talents that were planted within you before you were conceived were intended for you to use to the glory of GOD with His Power flowing through you. The problem with us is that we try to run with our talents and gifts and put them to use through the wrong things. That’s what happens when we haven’t had a connected relationship with the Lord to understand our purpose.

When I was in the fitness industry, I would witness first-hand the odd ways people would use gym equipment to accomplish their goals. There’s a reason why the manufacturer places that permanent graphic on the machine with the proper way to use it: to prevent harm.

It’s like trying to use a new appliance or technology without reading the instruction manual. You may come close, but something eventually goes wrong or your frustration leads you to giving up. Here’s something that was an eye-opener for me: whenever I skipped reading the owner’s manual, I also skipped out on knowing about the full potential of my new device. There were actually cool things built into the design that I never knew existed.

Let that sit with you for a bit.

We may attempt to force our will into making things happen, however, that usually results in disaster. That disaster is a built-in mechanism preventing us from further harm to ourselves. Like the automatic shut-off valve that kicks into gear.

Until we learn to humble ourselves and ask the Lord what His Will is for us, we will continue to struggle. The longer we do that, the longer we put off experiencing our best life.

Be ready to fully embrace why you are passionate about certain things (people without a voice, the displaced and marginalized, the homeless and hungry, the spiritually starving, the lonely, the hurting and misunderstood …) and take a close look at the life experiences that you have survived. Do you see any connection? Is there a pattern to your responses? What inner strengths emerged in desperate times? How were you able to bring comfort and peace to someone whose pain you can feel?

He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us. 2 Corinthians 1:4 NCV

Our comparisons cause us to want what we think is better than what we already have. The filters that we see (although we don’t consider them as such), present a fake reality. No one’s life is Pinterest perfect twenty-four hours a day for seven days a week.

If every woman were required to post on social media without a hint of makeup, social media would be a blank page.

¹⁷ If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NCV

Stepping into a new year with a right outlook? Connect first with the One Who designed you with great things in mind and that includes enjoying a life that includes knowing Him. He will reveal all the goodness and awesome things that are meant to flow through you as you bless others as He blesses you.

I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way.
    What you have done is wonderful.
    I know this very well. Psalm 139:14 NCV

And you are amazing and wonderful! Just be you.

I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary