Don't Be Ugly, Ladies.

Competition.

I like some good, friendly competition every now and then. Who doesn't?

But

What I have really taken notice of lately is very evident and unhealthy competition with a side of jealousy amongst Christian folks. Especialy in the female gender. To be transparent: It is ridiculous.

Let's be honest for a second. We all think someone is prettier than us, skinnier than us, more talented than us, has a greater personality than us, has better clothes than us, doesn't deserve their blessings, but we do because we would definitely take better care of them (ya right), oh and we can't forget how mad we get when someone gets recognition for something they shared that made them seem amazing when in fact you told that person that very revaltion to begin with. Where is my recognition? Where is my compliment? Been there? I have many, many, many, many, mannnyyyyyyyy times and it is so silly! I talked about entitlment in a previous blog and all this goes hand in hand. Are we trying to make God known through us or us known through God? Think about that for a minute...

First, we all know God perfectly molded every human exactly the way He wanted them for whatever reason. You have the talents that God wanted you to have. You have the nose God wanted you to have. You are the height God wanted you to be. Baby, those thighs scream "Thunderrr!" because God wanted them too. He SAYS you are good. Let's get over ourselves and start getting confident (not arrogant) in exactly what God gave us. Doing this will ultimately make us work more freely and effectively in what God designed us to do. Stop weighing your every feature and talent against the one you compete with. Let us not forget that your "opponent" was given their beautiful features and talents by God Almighty. You are questioning His craftmanship by looking to another individual as if they were the perfect reflection? Your mirror should be God and not another very imperfect human.

Second, You are missing your purpose in the Body. When you should be uplifting someone or edifying them or giving some awesome affirmation towards their GOD-given talent or beauty, you withdrawal yourself because for whatever reason, as women, we say "why would we ever want to be friends with someone prettier than us or more talented? That doesn't get me noticed.." Come on, ladies. I am being real with you guys because I know this is a huge issue women in particular battle with. Let's adress it and change it. What ARE you really living to glorify? We can say "God" all day long, but when the talent that God gave you in order to glorify Him is hindered because of a competitive spirit...you are really glorifying yourself; living to perfect the gift rather than aknowledging the Giver.

I read a quote by C.S. Lewis and I absolutely loved it: "If we saw how glorious we all really are as creations of God, we would be tempted to bow down and worship the very people we slander."

I encourage you to read Phillipians 2:1-18. It will not take long and the Word is true, perfect, and will change you. Read it! :)

Please, ladies. Let us rise up as the women God created us to be. Use God as your mirror and stop looking to others as a perfect reflection. Use your gifts and talents and stop wishing for someone else's. You could not do it as well as them just as they could not fulfill your call better than you. Do not be afraid to encourage another woman...even if you feel jealous towards her. Pray, pray, pray that God take away that jealousy and give you a desire to fulfill YOUR calling. It's all about glorifying the Father, guys...

If you are unhappy with your weight, change it. If you want to dye your hair, do it. If you want better clothes, save up for them. If you want a better personality, stop being so rude. If you have a problem with another woman, adress it because when the issue is brought to light, Satan has no control over it and can not use it against you. If the insecurities that you battle with can be fixed, then do it. The things you can not change need to be accepted and worked with. Jesus says love! The greatest of these is LOVE! Love yourself and love everyone for exactly who God created them to be! You have GOT to get rid of the jealousy and competitive spirit. Let God freely move through a bold, confident, beautiful, and loving woman!

You truly are beautiful. Make sure your heart is just as beautiful because that is what counts and what your Father cares about.

Read Phillipians! ;) I love you, girls! Let us encourage one another!