alrighty guys, here is take two, a bit on respecting yourself (mostly). I have three major points, I guess that's how to put it, that I wanna tell you about, more or less coinciding with each other.
1) respect yourself mentally
okay, so mental respect is something that I believe that everyone struggles with, regardless of their age. it is SO easy to beat yourself up over every little thing that you do wrong, can't do, or never had. I do this for sureeeeeeeeee, but let me tell you about someone in one of my classes. I don't know him well, but well enough to know that he has a rough background. he sits behind me, it's a crazy small class (uhh 6 peps in there), so of course we talk most days. well the way he sees himself breaks my heart. when ever he messes up, even just the tiniest mistake, like a calculator error, he mutters to himself that he's stupid, that he has to do better, that he won't get it. imagine if you told yourself that every. single. day, just over a little error. wouldn't it just tear you down, but wait, we all do it, whether it's "Oh I'm fat, I need to diet", "I'm not smart enough to do that", I'm not hot enough to be with them", etc. I could literally go on forever. if you said that to someone, you would be called disrespectful, so why is it different when it's to yourself? so let's take a look at scripture. when the prophet Isaiah was speaking to God, he proclaimed
1) respect yourself mentally
okay, so mental respect is something that I believe that everyone struggles with, regardless of their age. it is SO easy to beat yourself up over every little thing that you do wrong, can't do, or never had. I do this for sureeeeeeeeee, but let me tell you about someone in one of my classes. I don't know him well, but well enough to know that he has a rough background. he sits behind me, it's a crazy small class (uhh 6 peps in there), so of course we talk most days. well the way he sees himself breaks my heart. when ever he messes up, even just the tiniest mistake, like a calculator error, he mutters to himself that he's stupid, that he has to do better, that he won't get it. imagine if you told yourself that every. single. day, just over a little error. wouldn't it just tear you down, but wait, we all do it, whether it's "Oh I'm fat, I need to diet", "I'm not smart enough to do that", I'm not hot enough to be with them", etc. I could literally go on forever. if you said that to someone, you would be called disrespectful, so why is it different when it's to yourself? so let's take a look at scripture. when the prophet Isaiah was speaking to God, he proclaimed
"Still, God, you are our Father. We’re the clay and you’re our potter: All of us are what you made us." (Isaiah 64:8 MSG).
we are each made by God, for God. he made each and everyone of us with a plan in mind. we are to be Kingdom people, living and preparing the world for Christ's return. and we each are designed for something different. you may be musically gifted, have a way with words, passionate about living the old, ANYTHING that you are good at you can do for God. so I challenge you, the next time you start to call yourself stupid, or ugly, STOP IT! and think of something your good at and how you use said thing to glorify God, because that is really what it is all about.
okay so just FYI, I will be talking about music soon, bc what you put in your noggin comes outta your mouth.
2) respect your body sexually
this is soooooooo important, and do not let this topic make you skip over this part. I'm gonna start with scripture here. 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 is some craaaazzzzyyyy powerful word written by Paul. let me just tell you what these vs 18-20 (MSG) say.
2) respect your body sexually
this is soooooooo important, and do not let this topic make you skip over this part. I'm gonna start with scripture here. 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 is some craaaazzzzyyyy powerful word written by Paul. let me just tell you what these vs 18-20 (MSG) say.
"In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for “becoming one” with another. Or didn’t you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body."
okay, so I know that really long but here is what is most important, is that Christ died for you, and he payed the price to save you, and your body is a temple of God, and because he payed for it, you must respect him with it. so girls, don't let that guy talk you into sex. guys, if she sends you pics, either talk to her or remove yourself from the equation, and it goes both ways. adults, stay faithful, if you don't, it will not just hurt your spouse, but everyone around. when you are able to fully realize that your body is Christ's, it will change the way you live and look at yourself. our heavenly Father cherishes us with everything in him because he LOVES us, all we are, as we are. and a way we can show him our love is to respect our bodies sexually.
3) respect your self physically
I play tennis and I workout about once a week. I don't eat dairy, wheat/grains/gluten, and I tend not to eat a lot of added sugars, just a bunch of nutrient dense foods. but I'll be honest with you, if you look at me, you probably can't tell. I'm not stick thin, but I know I'm not fat. I am considered a healthy growing human. i have a bit of belly, i wear loose clothing, and an incredibly self conscious, and struggling with acne right now. but everyday I remind my self that regardless of everything up there, i am loved and valued for so much more than the way I look. in order to respect your body physically, you must cleanse yourself, you must eat well, you must get up and exercise some. I'm not like telling you to become a crazy dieting, fitness spaz, or anything like that. I'm just saying that some days, instead of sitting in the couch Saturday, stinky, eating chips and Ice Cream, binging on Gilmore Girls, or Twin Peaks, or High school Musical, take the opportunity to take your dog on a walk, or call up a friend and go to Chewacala and hike or take a bike ride. there is so many small ways to just incorporate being active into your life, as simple as dancing to your favorite song. BUT DONT GET ME WRONG HERE, you are made by God, and do not try to change that. everyone of us is made different, composed different, and do not ever forget that. 1st Corinthians 6:19 says that
3) respect your self physically
I play tennis and I workout about once a week. I don't eat dairy, wheat/grains/gluten, and I tend not to eat a lot of added sugars, just a bunch of nutrient dense foods. but I'll be honest with you, if you look at me, you probably can't tell. I'm not stick thin, but I know I'm not fat. I am considered a healthy growing human. i have a bit of belly, i wear loose clothing, and an incredibly self conscious, and struggling with acne right now. but everyday I remind my self that regardless of everything up there, i am loved and valued for so much more than the way I look. in order to respect your body physically, you must cleanse yourself, you must eat well, you must get up and exercise some. I'm not like telling you to become a crazy dieting, fitness spaz, or anything like that. I'm just saying that some days, instead of sitting in the couch Saturday, stinky, eating chips and Ice Cream, binging on Gilmore Girls, or Twin Peaks, or High school Musical, take the opportunity to take your dog on a walk, or call up a friend and go to Chewacala and hike or take a bike ride. there is so many small ways to just incorporate being active into your life, as simple as dancing to your favorite song. BUT DONT GET ME WRONG HERE, you are made by God, and do not try to change that. everyone of us is made different, composed different, and do not ever forget that. 1st Corinthians 6:19 says that
"your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God"
, and chapter 10, verse 31 says
"what ever you eat or drink or what ever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
"what ever you eat or drink or what ever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
so I leave you with this reminder, you are made by God, so respect the body he made with your every action. (and eat that cookie, or doughnut, or ice-cream , but don't forget to chew on some carrots every once in a while ;))
Father, today I pray that I am able to respect myself as I remember that I am your wonderful creation, your daughter. I ask you help me respect myself mentally, sexually, and physically, and allow that all I do be for you and for your glory. in Jesus's, amen and amen.
Father, today I pray that I am able to respect myself as I remember that I am your wonderful creation, your daughter. I ask you help me respect myself mentally, sexually, and physically, and allow that all I do be for you and for your glory. in Jesus's, amen and amen.
