Ambush Makeover

 

To the tune of ‘In Right, Up Right, Down Right, Happy All the Time,’ here we go: Oh cellulite and knobby knees, where’d that dimple come from? Breasts headed south and my tummy’s a pouch, six-pack abs no more. Crow’s feet and thinning hair; never mind it’s turning gray. I’d sing it again, but of course I can’t remember, ’cause my mind is going too!” This was Shula’s morning mirror mantra from Naked and Unashamed and I’m sure it could serve as your mantra too. Ok, let me make it personal, it sure is similar to my morning mirror mantra. And why is that? Well, for one thing, the world bombards us with images and messages of who we’re supposed to be, how we’re supposed to look, how we should feel, think, and be. Take a look at this video for example

According to the world, we’re more beautiful when we’re “airbrushed”. So how do we reconcile what the world tells us, with what we perceive we should be, with what the Bible calls us to be? My mind knows that I am chosen, blameless, saved, sanctified, forgiven, redeemed, a conqueror. But every morning I hop on the scale praying that I lost another pound; I purchase all types of hair products trying to make it straighter/darker/lighter/longer; I torture myself as I squeeze into a pair of spanx while giving up on all hope of breathing normally; I seek different personality traits so that I can “swim with the sharks”, despite the fact that I am definitely a dolphin… It never ends, the quest to be what I’m not, to be different, to be better, to be accepted.

Well, have no fear, there is help. The Bible isn’t just a book full of clichés and platitudes; it has the answer for every dilemma. See the Bible speak to true beauty, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (I Samuel 16:7)”, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30)”. “[Beauty] 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 (I Peter 3:3-4).” The world tells us beauty is about our outward appearance, but God tells us that true beauty is about our heart, our character, and our love for and praise of Christ.

So join me for an Ambush Makeover, not the coveted tummy tuck or the Botox face lift or better-fitting Apple Bottom jeans; but a transformation of my thoughts and attitude (Ephesians 4:23) and a renewal of my heart (Psalm 51:10). Join me as I seek to be more loving, more kind, more giving, more gentle, more connected, more patient, more trustworthy, more joyful and more true (Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 4:8). Daily seek God’s guidance and approval (I John 4:19), asking Him to help you be the you He created you to be. Then speak into existence who you want to be, who God wants you to be (Proverbs 18:21). Change up your morning mirror mantra to something more like this

From My Heart to Yours,
Davenia

Verse of the Week:  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
Reflections: This week listen to the songs from my new playlist, songs that speak to Unconditional Love, the second principle of learning to live a SUBMITTED life.
https://open.spotify.com/user/daveniajoneslea/playlist/11zVM4Kgprhc6QOw6QwA0e