Style and Self Image

Self Image.  Yuck, sometimes I'm tired of hearing, reading and talking about it.  If you are a woman we are almost constantly bombarded with this.  Everyone has opinions and ideas about what a healthy self image looks like.  What the world displays and what scripture tells us are usually completely opposite of each other.  One minute the media tells us to celebrate our differences and beauty in the imperfections and the next we see a weight loss commercial displaying Mariah Carey practically poll dancing wearing almost nothing as motivation for looking and feeling great about ourselves...I guess that's supposed to be our end goal?  Scripture though thankfully gives us some wisdom on the matter...

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well Psalm 139:14

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:1-2

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Clothing is really not that important, I mean please wear clothing, but what you wear at the end of the day should meet the requirement of honoring God.  I like getting together a good outfit like any other woman out there and I think everything you do can and should be done for the glory of God.  Each extraordinary or mundane task can be set apart for bringing glory to Christ.

I think just naturally self image and what you wear can be easily tied together.  Either we try to improve our self image by drawing attention (positive or negative) to ourselves by our clothing choices, or we try and hide behind them to distract anyone from looking our way.  It can be a tricky balance sometimes for us - at least for me.  

I'm not going to lie, putting myself out there on this blog like this - with nothing but photos of myself is totally out of my comfort zone.  Its feels vulnerable and really strange.  But at the end of the day, this is me, this is who God created and I'm totally thankful for that.  We all have interests that draws us together and we should all find ways to have community through our interests because God should be woven into each of our choices and conversations.  He is God over it all.  Whether its crafting, reading, blogging, home decor, exercising, baking, boxing - whatever you do.  In this new season of blogging I decided I needed to stretch myself a little and try something new.  Sharing outfit ideas is one thing, but sharing my heart and having conversation about self image and being made in the image of God is another.  I have lots of thoughts floating in my head about this topic.  Maybe its because I work with teenagers and encourage them daily about healthy self image or maybe its just because I'm a woman and we all feel it.  Either way,  I hope we can find the right balance,  realize who we have been created to be, just have fun and enjoy what we enjoy and bring honor to God in the middle of it all.  

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31