Day 4

Looking Through His Eyes

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him.  The Lord doesn't see things the way you see them.  People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”

-1 Samuel 16:7 NLT

It’s true isn’t it?  The world really does judge by outward appearance.  Perhaps that is why we have been so hard on ourselves.  When we find ourselves at a weight beyond “acceptable”, we judge ourselves as the world does.  The problem is, we judge ourselves so harshly that instead of motivating ourselves to make changes, we instead take on a defeated attitude.

It is easy to buy into the worlds lies about how we should and should not look.  Simply turn on the tv, open a magazine, or drive by a billboard and there you are, bombarded with images of what the world says is beautiful.  We know these women are not real.  We know they go to great, unrealistic lengths to look the way they do.  We know they are touched-up and air brushed to perfection.  As much as we know this, it still doesn’t change the fact that we feel pressured to try and conform to these images.

I believe part of the pressure comes from the fact that not only are we bombarded with these images, but so are our men.  They see all of these perfect women, and then they come home to us.  We hope they also realize that these women are unrealistic and airbrushed, but we’re not quite sure.  That is why we go to such painful lengths to try to conform.

I remember watching the Victoria’s Secret Holiday Runway show with my husband once.  Woman after woman came out in their waif like bodies and tiny outfits.  I kept making snide remarks about how unrealistic they are, and how they must have all shared a celery stick for lunch that day.  Finally Tom looked over at me and said “If it bothers you so much why are you watching it?”.  I stopped for a moment and thought about the question.  I mean, why was I watching it?  I had turned it on, not Tom. It’s not like I was going to buy any of the feather winged angel outfits.  The only answer I came up with scared me- even I was drawn to these images.  I watched them as I would watch a unicorn- in awe and disbelief.  The more I watched, the fatter I felt.  I turned off the tv thinking never again will I make that mistake.

So Girls, back to our before photos.  At first glance you probably did the same thing I always did- you judged them by the worlds’ standards.  Chances are you felt anything from disgust to despair and everything in between.  You may have even turned away, gotten angry, or even cried a little (or a lot).  It’s okay.  It’s normal to react strongly when we finally face our struggles head on.  It’s okay to feel like hiding instead of fighting.  It’s okay to feel that way- but it’s time to take action despite our feelings.  Let me help move you towards action by offering you some encouragement…

Yesterday we meditated on the Truth that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made.  I encouraged you all to start seeing yourself as those things.  It is a big step in changing your dieting mind.  However, I know that this mental shift doesn’t happen overnight.  You may tell yourself over and over again “I am fearfully and wonderfully made….I am fearfully and wonderfully made…”, but one quick glance at your photo and you are back to simply being fearful.

Well Girls, as it says in today’s verse- the Lord looks at the heart.  You see, he knows you are wonderful.  He knows every hair on your head.  He knows what you are capable of.  He knows what you can accomplish.  He knows because He created you specifically for his purpose.  He sees you as the woman he created, not as the woman you may be right now.  He looks at you and sees a mighty woman of God.  A warrior.  A fighter.  A gentle, but not timid, delicate, but not broken woman.  He looks at you and sees the plans he has for you.  He looks at you and sees your heart.  And in your heart, there is a fit, self controlled, disciplined woman, wanting to take on the world and show it “I’m back- and I’m ready for action.” 

So Girls, take some time today to start looking at yourself the way God looks at you.  Ask Him to show you what you look like through his eyes.  Once you start seeing just how perfectly you were created, you will want to make choices that reflect His perfect work on the outside as well as in your heart!

Dear Heavenly Father, I confess I have let myself and others judge me by the worlds’ standards.  I confess I have often felt I am not acceptable or good enough.  I thank you Lord for looking at my heart.  I ask you to give me a pure heart.  A heart to serve, and love, and obey the things you ask of me.  I thank you for healing the parts of my heart that are broken.  I thank you for the plans that you have for me.  I ask you for the strength to make changes in my life that will help me walk out those plans.  I want the way I live to line up with my heart so that others see you, and not me. Help me to see myself the way you see me. In Jesus’ name, Amen