Getting Rid of the "Uglies"

I love shopping. Alright, now that all the boys are gone... Not necessarily spending money, but window shopping? Always. I'm funny about shopping with other people though. Mostly because my ventures are used as therapy. But then there's also the fact that I am a people pleaser. I am way too concerned about what others think to have successful trips. When I just want to browse, I'm afraid that they're bored. Or if I want to try on clothes, I don't want to take up their time to have them wait on me. So usually I piddle around by myself until my heart's content. Or at least until sleeping beauty in the stroller wakes up.


There is one person who I always love to have accompany me. Much to his dismay, it's my husband. Not that he doesn't enjoy spending time with me. He would just rather spend time somewhere other than between racks of clothes and holding my purse. By the way, he always gets compliments on the purse, and who doesn't love a good compliment?

Besides the fact that I know he's used to waiting around on me anyway, I like having him around to tell me what he thinks about my potential purchases.

So this afternoon, while Rob once again waited on me outside a dressing room, I overheard a very familiar conversation. A man stood right outside his wife's dressing room door, holding what I assumed to be the reject items.
The exchange through a closed door went something like this...
"Sweetie, are you almost done?"
"Yes, but I haven't found anything yet."
"What about the ones you said you really liked?"
"I do like them. I guess. But none of them make me feel pretty."


Insert long silence.

"You know why they don't make me feel pretty, don't you?"

Because I, myself, have been on her side of the conversation, I knew she was referring to the exact area of her body that she is the most insecure.

"Don't you?" she asked a little louder and a little more frustrated.
"Yes," he said in a near whisper.

As I left the area, the conversation continued to get more uncomfortable. She was searching for some words of value from a man who was more aware of the social network on his phone than he was of his love on the other side of the door.

Sometimes the Lord teaches me about myself through people watching. Or, in this case, people listening. There it was. Clear as day. I am that woman in the dressing room. I get down on myself and then search for life-giving words from people who cannot possibly give them. Expectations are not met and I leave the situation deflated and disappointed.

It's not that I don't have encouraging people around me. I live with a man who has "encouragement" ranked in the top five of his spiritual gifts. (He took a spiritual gifts inventory today. Just wanted to throw that bit of info in there.) Actually, I probably have more encouraging friends and family than most people. I am so thankful for that. Beyond blessed. But when I am so focused on the things I hate strongly dislike about myself, no amount of kind, well intended words are going to make me feel better.

I need more than lovely words that distract from the ugly thoughts for a moment. Those thoughts are persistent and they'll be back soon.
I need to get rid of the "uglies" altogether.

How? Well, in Philippians 4, we read some instructions for how to guard our hearts and our MINDS, which is where the "ugly" battle takes place. Verse 8 in that chapter says, "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things (NIV, emphasis added)."

So in order to guard the battle ground that is our minds, we are instructed to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Not ugly. It didn't make the list.

"Next time I feel bad about myself, I just think about puppies and daisies?" NO.

Think about the Truth. The Word of God. Hide it in your heart like it says in Psalm 119:11! We have to be ready to fight because "the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8, NIV)." We fight with the Word according to Ephesians 6:17.

Here are some scriptures that I've packed into my arsenal:

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) 

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. (Genesis 1:31; note: He called everything he created "good" until he created man and woman, when he declared his work to be "very good".)

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14)

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight. (1 Peter 3:3-4)  

There are many, many more verses addressing our value and worth as children of God. Read them!

You are valued by a Holy God. He bought you with a very high price, his Son's blood.
You are precious.
A daughter of the King!
A son of the Most High God!

"...think about such things."