Do you ever work really hard to brush your teeth especially well when you're planning to go somewhere? Subconsciously, you are doing your part to keep our appearance-centered shallow teenage society moving. Sweet, right? Your teeth need to look good when people see them see, so they can't be yellow, right? It could be anything hair, teeth, clothes, grades, even your laugh. A lot of people put their hand over their mouth when they laugh. Why? They might privately be insecure about the way it sounds, or maybe they want to impress someone in the room. It's weird, but I get it, because I've done it too. In fact, I didn't realize until recently how much. Every aspect of your personality seems like it's not enough. People will judge you and not like it because of it. Then - the unspeakable would happen... THEY WOULDN'T LIKE YOU ANYMORE!!!! How frustrating, right?!!! Honestly, this whole thought process needs to stop. It's an unfair caste system. If people stop being your friend because of your breath, hair, teeth, clothes, grades, or laugh, they are most likely super shallow, and sadly probably aren't the best people to be hanging out with anyway. We [teenage girls] as a whole put so much effort into how we look, and the crazy thing is, most of the time it's not even for the right reasons! Think about it, do you think about keeping your hair healthy when you brush it? No - its so that your hair won't be a slovenly mess, duh. Bingo! Do you restrain yourself from eating more at a party because you're really full? Usually, that's not the case. You don't want to look like a pig - especially if that guy you like is in the room. Yeah, that's a BIG no-no. It's crazy!
So today, I have three challenges for you:
1. Do something different for a change!
Wear a hat that you love - even if it's (by others' definition) "too big". Wear your hair like you do when people aren't around. Go and talk with a new kid. Bridge the gap between the guys' conversation, and the girls' conversation.
2. Be raw, be yourself, and be honest.
Don't try to hide it when your having a rough day, just because you don't want anyone to see your weakness. Also, definitely, definitely don't pretend to be in a bad mood and complain just because that's the "cool teenager attitude" that's really stupid. If you're having a good day, awesome! Your friends should be happy that you are. If you're having a terrible, no-good, rotten day, that's okay too! Everyone has them! Basically what I'm saying is: If you feel like you're always trying to keep up appearances, be real, and see what happens. You may be able to talk to your friends in a way you never could before. You may actually have a real, deep conversation, and end up strengthening your friendship. Or... you may end up seeing that the people you're hanging out with are a negative influence on you, and it's time to find friends who are seeking after God, and want to see you the way God sees you. Your appearance-centered friends might end up not liking you. That's okay, pray for them. Don't go along with the crowd.
My last challenge is:
3. Stand up for righteousness. Don't do something stupid because of peer pressure. Do something to make God smile. Be proud of who you are in Christ. Here's a little quote I heard recently:
You plus Jesus is always the majority.
Here are some Bible verses to help you remember not be consumed by the idol of your appearance:
"Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.'"
1 Corinthians 15:33
"The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray."
Proverbs 12:26
But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7
"Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment."
John 7:24
Congrats! You've made it to the end of my very, very long blog post! Thanks for reading!
~Mi
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