Zits and Cover-up

I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances. Romans 8:31-39

I got my hair cut today - I feel like a new woman! Ladies treat yourselves, love yourselves...

I am free from any condemnation brought against me and I cannot be separated from the love of God. 2Corinthians 1:21-22

Never separated from the love of God

Friday- Last night I cried myself to sleep over petty life issues- woke up with puffy darkened eyes, and a pimple smack in the middle of my forehead- of course it would pop up in a place where I can't cover it with hair - all I wanted was my cover-up and a bit of mascara-

I couldn't look at myself and say I was beautiful- it was like I was handed the go back 10 spaces card in the game of life and self acceptance...

As the day wore on it just went horrendous...but I made it through the day...

I have been established, anointed and sealed by God. 2Corithians 1:21-22

Saturday- today was much better- no dark circles, no puffy eyes, but still that zit-sigh we can't all be perfect...

My most supportive and amazing boyfriend asked if he could take me out on a nice dinner date- horrified at goign somewhere nice with no make up I started to refuse but he insisted that he wanted to take me out even if I wasn't wearing my makeup.

So I dressed up, did my hair, and put on no makeup. By the end of the meal I had forgotten- I felt beautiful and cherished.

As I thought about this I wondered why I felt so loved by a man and not by God- I wish I could have more moments like this- spured on by thoughts of God- I want to float on cloud nine when I think of how God makes me feel.

hmmm still pondering... and feeling beautiful.

So these next few verses and statement s have to deal with being SECURE- finding our security for who we are in Christ.

Day 11- I am free from condemnation. Romans 8:1-2

I just realized I am 1/4 of the way done- its amazing to see how far I have come-

sorry ladies once again no revelation, but it is crazy to look back and see jsut how far I have come- from screaming and kicking NO- to realizing that its not just about outside beauty- I can't wait to see what the next 30 days will bring- wait did I just say I am excited to see what another 30 days of no makeup will bring? That's right check out that change in me!!!

So my challenge is- try it- try it for one day- for one week- just see what difference it makes in you-

till tomorrow then lovelies- remember you are accepted and secure in Christ!

Extreme Makeover of the Inside

Day 10- Tuesday
I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ. Hebrews 4:14-16
¹⁴Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.

¹⁵For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

This has got to be one of my favorite verses- group of verses in the bible- it is so freeing- I love the Christ can sympathize with MY weaknesses- that he was also tempted in areas that I was-
I know he was not tempted to wear makeup or anything - but he was tempted to do things that would please man over His heavenly Father- but he didn't back down! And because he didn't back down - I have access to the throne of my Creator! And my access to that throne is so that I can have mercy and grace when I need it! yaaaaaaaa!!!!

okay so today- well yesturday- I had no devine revelations- no voice of God in my head - but I did see swimsuits for sale- and the thought of trying one on almost made me sick- To early- I am obviously not there yet- course I have never met one girl who likes trying on swimsuits -

I am finding it easier and easier each morning to look in the mirror and hear myself say tha tI am beautiful- but the harder part for me has been believing things about my character- my inner beauty - My fear with having make up has made me realize that I have tried to use my outer beauty to cover up for the lack of beauty I have on the inside- people will just look at my face and not realize that I'm ugly on the inside- things that I should deal with, pride, judgment , insecurities, fears, lies and hurts have all been pushed under the surface boiling into a big black mess- If I look good on the outside- no one will see how icky I am on the inside- right?

I realize that yes- God finds aspects of me beautiful- but I am ugly- there are things on the inside that need a good scrubing.

So what areas in your life need scrubbing? What have you been using your outer beauty to cover up?

Turning things Inside Out- the Heart of the Matter

I am complete in Christ!
Colossians 2:9-10
Complete in Christ!!!!! what a thought- its so hard yet so easy to understand- it means that I am whole and I need nothing added but him - it means I am lacking nothing... I often try so hard to find those things that will make me happy, that will make me feel satisfied when over and over again God shows himself to be the answer to all those questions.

Two things happened to me this week- 1) I taught Sunday School 2) Someone who I knew died.
this week in Sunday we were learning about spreading the message of Jesus how it is so awesome that Christ made the choice to die for us and how we are made whole and perfect through him- as I told my students about these truths I was once again struck with the meaninglessness of self. How much I focus on myself- with the death of a friend who was my age the reality of life seemed to slam me- what am I doing wasteing time thinking about myself when life is short and when my Creator who has made no mistake has asked me to share his love? So often I am afraid of stating my beliefs- afraid of rejection- afraid of disapproval...
Afraid of approval, afraid of what man will say, Wanting to please God by sharing his Good News that the acceptance we are looking for is in Christ.... ironic

As I wrote out what had happened to me over the week I seemed to relearn the lessons- and the progress I have made in one week has been small- but its been there.

I am finding more and more why God would set me on this journey

Until tomorrow lovely ladies- remember in Him and Him only will you find completeness- keep searching for that inner beauty!

The Days...

So I started this blog after I started my makeup fast here is a super quick re cap of my first week

March 1- March 7th

day 1- 5 I have gotten up every morning and looked in the mirror- no change can't stand the sight of myself and don't believe what I am telling myself- its pretty horendous
I am Accepted is the theme of the first 2 weeks...

Day 1- I am God's child. John 1:12
such a hard one- its hard to just be a kid- it struck me that children are often okay with who they are and what others think of you

I walked around school- what do people think- 3 people asked if I was sick- "letting people know I am healthy is justification for wearing makeup- right?" - No answer

Day 2- As a disciple, I am a friend of Jesus Christ. john 15:15
no longer a slave but a friend- freedom

Today was not a good day- the mirror seemed more unfriendly than usual- " Why am I doing this again?"

Day 3- I have been justified Romans 5:1
this verse talks about because we are justified - we have peace- amazing peace is what I want

I almost caved the mascara was just sitting there so easy and with in my reach- can make up become an addiction- I think so I feel like an addict quitting cold turkey- maybe I should have slowly weaned myself off it all- ahh this is so difficult

Day 4- I am united with the Lord, and I am one with Him in spirit.1 corinth 6:17
this make up fast is bringing up more than just my need to be beautiful- to be accepted- but also approval- I feel completely vulnerable - it is also bringing up alot of other issues- stuff I thoought God and I had dealt with- as cheesy as it sounds- I think I am getting closer to the heart of the matter.

Day 5- I have been bought with a price and I belong to God. 1 corinth 6:19-20

¹⁹Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?

²⁰For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

I was struck more than usual- this verse has always had the power to bring me to tears- Im not sure if you have Redeeming Love but my mind always goes to this and then the book of Hosea and what a beautiful picture that is- I am worth the price- why do I sell myself short? Why can't I believe that I am not worth it? Who has told me that? am I glorifying God by selling myself short? by saying I am not worth it? Yes. I wish I had the answer ...

Day 6 - I am a member of Christ's body. 1 corinthinas 12:27

Something funny happened today- i was looking in the mirror and I said you are beautiful- and I believed myself - I full out believed myself- it was wonderful- better than any guy saying it, or my mom, or friends because it came from a place within- not sure if it will last into tomorrow- but I did a victory dance held my head high all day and couldn't stop smiling- I am beautiful

Day 7- I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child. Ephesians 1:3-8

I realized somehting today- I was thinking about myself again- when the thoguth struck me- of course I care what people think- Im so wrapped up in thinking what are they thingking of me? No wonder my self worth is low all I can do is wallow in it- Goodness Lil- get up our of your pity party and think about others- the verse Phillipans 2:3 popped into my head- don't be selfish, dont live to make a good impression on others- instead think of others first, be humble and interested in others lives... or somehting along those lines- I am making an effort to do that today- think about others- funny how it is such a small thing but can really change your whole out look on life...

Day 8- I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. Colossians 1:13-14

It is Sunday- and that means I can wear makeup-as I put the makeup on this morning I was struck by just how much makeup I had-haw much money time and effort went into this face of mine- things I probably could have spent more wisely- i had always thought I was a modest make up putter oner- but it doesn't feel that way- I was really looking forward today- putting makeup on- but it just felt like a huge let down... sigh

So that was a quick overview of week 1- I will be back tomorrow with the progress of today...

Beauty is the Beast

Dear Beautifuls,

Over the past few years of my life I have come up against a challenge- The Beast of Beauty.

In the course of the last two months I have talked to many other women about our need to be beautiful, loved, and accepted. I started to wonder- why? Why do we (I) struggle with self image- that BIG question- Am I beautiful?

As I began to ponder this question a few answers - and even more questions began popping into my head-
- Who am I in Christ?
- Why is that important?
- What is left of me when you strip all of the world's titles from me-( sister, daughter, girlfriend...)
- Am I okay with what is left?
- Why do I try so hard to fit in and be accepted?

As I pondered I realized that all of these questions, my fears and my insecurities could be crunched down into 2 questions.

Who am I if I have everything this world values stripped away from me?
When If I am left standing there stripped of all I hold dear - Does God's opinion matter more than mans?

OF course I knew the "Christian" answers. I am a child of God- and of course God's opinion matters more than mans- duh...
But then a voice came into my head - dropping a nagging question which left me flabbergasted
"Lilabets- ( that is what God calls me when He wants me to learn something) why then do you feel the need to wear makeup?"

"Well Lord- its because I want to make your temple as beautiful as possible" I answered quickly.
"Wrong - try again" He laughed. I lamely racked my brain for a new excuse. "Well its because people expect our society to wear makeup."
" Closer," he frowned.
" Lord its because I want to be..."I winced out.
"yes..." He said - waiting.
"accepted." I squeaked.
"By whom? By man? Where am I on your priority list?" He questioned lovingly.

I couldn't answer. I couldn't come up with any excuse I just sat there dumb founded as things I had thought suddenly were put out into the light and I realized that all my head knowledge of beauty was nothing- I didn't believe my worth in my heart. I couldn't comprehend the idea that I was accepted without trying.

As I said this is something I have been dealing with for many years- In my mind- but I now felt called to DO something - actively deal with my issues- take the head knowledge of my beauty and make it heart knowledge.

So I made a decision - No make up for 40 days.

Whenever we take things out of our mind that are bad, I believe in filling it up with Godly thoughts- so I came up with a statement of who I am in Christ and a verse for each one. I am memorizing the statement and the verse daily. I look in my mirror and find one physical and character thing I like about myself and I say it out loud. - and no repeating.

"Bets, you are beautiful! Look at that hair! But better yet you are gregarious! Man's opinion does not matter over God's! Think: You are accepted by God!"

Taking this head knowledge into heart knowledge has been much harder than I thought it would be- but I am working- from the outside in.

I don't have the answers, I struggle with this issue- but this is my journey. My journey to defeat the beast called Beauty, (with the help of my Prince of course!) I don't know where it will take me - but I would love to take you along and let you learn through blog rather than experience.

Remember you are beautiful - inside and out!
- Love
Lilabets- a daughter of The King