Comparisons and Greener Grass

Why is it so easy to for women to compare themselves with other women? God gave all of us our looks because that is what He wanted us to look like. So why is that so hard to comprehend? I'm no expert, but I personally know that the World does want women to feel bad about themselves so that companies have some leverage when it comes to selling products that will "magically" make you look as sexy as Megan Fox or will make your hair look like you just stepped out of a Hollywood beauty salon. And yet we Christians know that it is just a fakeness and not of a Godly nature but it just seems to dig itself deeper into our psyche. Funny how the devil does that.

There are pictures everywhere of "beautiful people" that (and im not kidding, this was an actual headline on an undisclosed web browser) "women that your husband wishes you looked like". Will someone tell me how in the world that can in any way build self esteem? I mean, women in general are hard on themselves, I am guilty as charged! So if you are already a little insecure about yourself, how good is seeing or even reading that article that will get it in your head that you're just not good enough for your husband but he decided to settle for you anyways for your "personality..."

I am personally of the opinion that the magazine companies sell things that create low self-esteem so that the makeup and cosmetic surgery companies can booster thier sales while the "personal therapists" are raking it in listening to you whine about how awful you feel.

I will be the first to admit that unfortunatly, I am guilty of comparason. And its not just to celebraties, it could be another woman at the mall. Through prayer, Gods good grace and the love of my husband, I can say I have gotten much better. Using the word of God to realize that I am how He wanted me has gotten me to the point that I am able to see His work in other people and respect my God all the more. It is easier for me to snap out of it when I start getting down about it. It says in 1 Peter 3:3-4"Do not let your adornment be merely outward - arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel - rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God." Worth memorizing.

If we as godly women can remember that we are indeed the children of God and therefore were made by His holy hand, we can gain His strength to overcome our insecurities and to remember that even those who you see as "better than you" , is one of His creations as well.

A Tangent on Self Worth

I feel like I need to say some more words on self worth, partly because it is an ongoing battle that I personally am fighting, and partly because of a recent event that took place. I teach classical ballet at my old studio where I grew up dancing and I teach the beginner and intermediate pointe classes. (think nutcracker suite) In my intermediate class, in the dance we are preparing, I have the girls paired up, one to be a support while the other does a turn into a sort of "fall". I'd like you to keep in mind the age range in the intermediates is 12-17. Most of them are 13-14. So we are practicing and I assign the partners according to where they stand in the formation. Ive got one girl that publicly said that she couldn't be the one turning cuz she was to big and would crush her partner.

Let me tell you about this girl: she is 14 years old about 5'4 and no body fat on her whatsoever. Now I didn't thin-out until late high school, but her insecurity hit me like a ton of bricks. It was like I was looking at myself for a split second. Half of me wanted to sympathize with her, but the other (mature) half who decided she needed hips, looked at it like "That is so sad." But I feel like I cant do or say anything to make a difference because I am still struggling with it myself.

So what to do?? I figured that the only thing I can do is to stay out of it unless she comes directly to me about it. I remember being her age and at that point no matter what anyone said it went in one ear and out the other. Since going back to church and studying the scriptures, I am slowly getting better. Now I am slowly coming to realize that God made me in His image, therefore I am perfect in His eyes, so to not be happy with what He gave me is to disrespect Him in a way. Right now my mind knows this principle, but it is slow going getting to my heart. I'm working on it, and it is slowly getting better. I still would sometimes like to change things esthetically.

It is just irritating that I cant get over it, mostly because I feel like a hypocrite trying to help this girl who thinks she's fat when she isn't, but here I am still sort of wanting implants because I'm not happy about the top half of me sometimes. As much as I want to help her, I keep telling myself that she is only 14 and this is a normal stage of life for her. I suppose if anyone reads this, any ideas???