WWW: Powerful Proverbs Pride {31}

I am a 21 year old female. I’m a senior in college and am graduating this week. I just celebrated my 8^th year as a Christian. And according to the government, I’m obese. I am roughly 165 lbs (depending on the day) and 5.8’ (so I just usually say I’m 5’7”). I wear a size 9.5 shoe, medium shirt, and size 4 or 6 or 8 shorts, capris, and jeans. I have calloused hands, curves, bruises, scarred and scratched legs, stretch marks, bigger calves than most guys, and I have a wide rib cage so I don’t have any sort of waist. Why do I say all this? I have always believed in writing things that are personal and important to you. This is important to me.

Read Proverbs 31:10-31. Girls, and guys if you’re still reading, this woman isn’t some scrawny woman. This is a hardworking and strong woman and she worked her tail off! She was proud of who she was and so were her family and friends. This is the woman we need to strive to be, and the woman that, as guys, you need to search for. Who wants a girl that can’t move furniture or be your help meet? Yes, I understand some women are built petite. I’m not saying that’s bad. If that’s you, rejoice in it and be proud of who you are! However, remember this woman was also modest and humble. No doubt she covered herself up in front of everyone but her husband. How rare that is in today’s world! Bottom line, though, don’t be afraid to be you! Don’t be that girl that’s afraid of weights because it’ll cause you to “bulk and gain” or don’t “want to embarrass yourself”. In fact, go read last week’s article!!! And don’t be afraid to run because you “look funny” or “can’t go fast enough”. Who are you racing? No one but yourself! If you haven’t stopped reading already, I’ll explain why I chose this topic for today.

Satan knows my weak spot is my self-image. Self image is the idea, conception, or mental image one has of oneself and their worth. Mine has never been good. I’ve questioned why God made me this way and struggled through eating disorders and abuse. That brings me to now. The federal government will not let you apply for some jobs if you exceed the BMI scale, which I do. Girls in my class are breaking up with the guys of their dreams because they have small “beer” guts. And the world judges you based on how you look in a swim suit. Be better than that! My boyfriend took away my scale. I thought it was the end of the world. I worked out hard and gained weight (I started out a couple months ago at 155). Who says what you have to weigh? No one but you!

 So let me ask you, what do you see when you look in the mirror? I’ll be honest, I see an athlete that has some love handles and that stubborn girl fat that just won’t go away and a lot of areas that need work. That’s ok, but I can’t dwell on that, even though I often fall short and do. I’m not built to be petite or obese. I’m built to be me and it’s for a purpose. What’s your purpose? Why do you work out? Who are you trying to live for or impress? Take a fast from workout for a day and reflect on what’s really important to you. It might open your eyes and allow you to see yourself in a new light. Look in the mirror and see the beautiful (or handsome) athlete God created you to be. Tell the women around you how perfect and wonderfully they are made! Honor the body He gave you and build the temple He lives in, not destroy it. Work hard, but don’t be obsessive. Love yourself because God loves you and others want to as well. Give all the glory to God and serve Him in ALL YOU DO!

I’m still working on it but I challenge you to step up and examine your heart before your body. Instead of tearing down God’s masterpiece, build it up and rejoice in it. Be thankful for the attributes and gifts and athletic abilities you have because sadly in this sinful world, you never know when something could be taken away. I endu, Do you? Join me!

Ephesians 2:10 “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”