This question is for me too. This question popped up in my mind this week while reading and studying the Word.
I'm sure many have read or heard that we are to honor our bodies because we were bought with a price. But how many times do we actually take a moment to think about what we are wearing? I know we go about our days with our never ending "to do list" taking care of all that needs to be done: cooking, cleaning, laundry, homework, etc. We also come to a point where eventually we stop to decide what we are going to wear either for the present day or the next day. This is all fine and dandy and covers us so that we have a beautiful presentation by the clothes we choose to wear.
But how many of you ever wonder how are you dressing up internally??
I thought about this across this week. In the Word I found some ways that I need to dress and UNdress myself. Maybe you can relate...come, let's dive in.
I Corinthians 3:16 "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" 6: 20 says: "for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." First of all I need to recall to mind that I belong to God and am NOT my own. His Spirit lives inside of me, so just as I need to food for physical survival I also need food for my Spiritual survival. Keep this in mind..."What feeds me, affects me"-Lysa Terkeurst. It is my responsibility to honor Him; therefore it is also my responsibility to feed my Spirit. And feed it the RIGHT food. So by watching how I dress myself, I can honor Him.
Let's see what we need to take off first!
Anxiety---
I Corinthians 7:32 ESV "I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried (woman) is anxious about the things of the Lord." How many times do you find yourself worrying about this and that only to find yourself in a place of not being able to do anything about it. I find myself there often. And it can wear me out if I let it. Anxiety can get so bad that it can begin to wear down on you physically and mentally. Before we get there, let's cry out to the Lord to save us from our anxieties. Let us cast our cares upon Him. Let's see how we can help pour the Word into someone elses life. Let's get out of our comfort zones and learn ALL we can about pleasing the Lord.
Jealousy---
Proverbs 14:30 NLT "A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones." How many times do we look at the next woman and desire what she has all because of what she LOOKS like on the outside or how her life appears to others. Author Lysa Terkeurst made a great statement that stuck in my mind. She says something to this effect, "I am not equipped to handle what that woman has, good or bad". And this is very true. You know the saying "be kind for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle". You and I are were uniquely created by God for a purpose. It's up to us to tap into that purpose He has for us. Your life is your life. My life is my life. God made me Liz for a reason. He gave me my responsibilities for a reason. He gave me my hardships for a reason. He gave me my hurts for a reason. He allowed me to shed my tears for a reason. I can't face the woman next to me on the church pew, battle. I can't cry her tears for her. I can't climb her mountain for her. I can't go through that hurt for her. But I can do my best to walk with her, encourage her and be a shoulder to lean on when she needs it. I can look at my life and find all the good that God has blessed me with and soak in all its joy.
Fear---
My Pastor preached a sermon two weeks ago that he entitled "What's wrong with your faith?" He went on to say that it bothers God when we have fear and don't believe in Him. This struck a nerve for me. You see that is exactly what fear does. It causes us not to believe God. I realized that I had been putting a limit on what God can do for me and through me. I want so desperately to undress myself with fear. Fear holds you back from opportunities. Fear keeps you from moving forward in what God has planned for you to do a long time ago. And you know whatelse I realized? I can fear the unknown so much so more than I fear and reverence God. How? By engaging in the act on not trusting Him with my life. The very life that He created and can take at any given moment.
So after, digging in the Word and reflecting. I found some ways that can help me better dress myself.
How can dress up properly?
I need to put more trust foundation on. For Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." My own understanding will land me in Hell. Trust ladies.
I need a dress that's wrapped with love. God desires for us to model the way He lived while here on earth. He wants us to love everyone and live at peace with all people as far as it depends on us. "So far as it depends on us" means we have to do our part. Love others. Honor God.
I'm sorry this post is so long. I could really go on and on about this because God has really been dealing with me about this. I hope this blesses you as it has truly blessed me. So, the next time we look in the mirror before heading out the door to face the world, let's remember to dress up properly. :-)
Blessings,
~Liz~
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