This One's For the Girls

I know at times, we can feel a little down because we feel inadequate. Some of us grew up being taunted by other students because we weren't perfect like the cheerleaders or other girls who were popular. I went through it too, so it's nothing new. The only thing that's new is cyber-bullying and texting photos of a not so flattering nature to the entire school! That can be horrifically embarrassing, and some girls have been so tortured by these types of things that they took their own lives. If these things are happening to you, please don't do anything to hurt yourself? Get help! If you are considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 and they will help you. Sometimes, even if you just need to talk and don't feel like there is anyone you can confide in, please go to their website and either call them, or click the "Chat Now" button. They want to help and none of us wants anyone who is going through this type of bullying to harm themselves.

I was the ugly duckling, and I was extremely insecure. I didn't feel loved at all, and I didn't know there was a God, my Father, my Abba Daddy, who loved me no matter what. I would try to stick up for myself, which in retrospect was kinda dumb. Had I let it roll off of my back like water on a duck, maybe they would've stopped. My problem was that I always felt like I had to defend myself. It wasn't until later on in life that I learned that if someone says something about you, and you can look inside your heart and honestly say to yourself "that's not true," then there is nothing to defend! Even Jesus spoke not a word when challenged by Pilate and the Chief Priests and Elders just before Pilate washed his hands and delivered Him to be crucified. (Matthew 27:11-25). So, in my situation, I eventually just chalked it up to being a kid. Yeah, the other kids taunted and tortured, teased endlessly, etc., and I let them get away with it. Plus the more I tried to defend myself, the worse the taunting and teasing got. I just thank the Good Lord we didn't have the type of instant media then that we have today or I might not be here!

If you are feeling low because you think you aren't pretty enough, good enough, or even worthy enough, then take this to heart. God created you. He created you special. (Psalm 139). Don't look at your shortcomings, look at the gifts He gave you. There is probably something you are very good at, that others are either jealous of, or don't understand. Some of you may not be as pretty as other girls, but perhaps your smart, get all A's and get called a "geek" or a "nerd." While it is wrong for others to say such things about you, you'll get your laugh some day when you graduate a four year college with honors! Most of them? Well most of them won't even make it to college!

You are so special and unique, there is only ONE you! So stop looking in the mirror and seeing flaws. Stop belittling yourself, thinking you aren't good enough because if you have Christ, you are better than "good enough." You are a child of the King and you are c0-heirs with Christ! No matter what those other kids say, God has your back and if you read your bible and allow His words to sink in, then the devil that rules their lives, will not be able to rule yours! You have to block him out, and rest on the word of God first! "Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee. (James 4:7). Also, "Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all of your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:6-8). I wish I had known these scriptures and understood them better when I was a teenager. I might have had more confidence and it may have made my life a little easier, even though I was tortured so horribly. I should've placed my confidence In Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:4).

So lift up your spirits and walk with your heads held high! Jesus is walking with you and when you get down and feel like you're being pushed around, teased beyond what you can emotionally handle, just remember, Jesus will be carrying you! Another thing you need to understand and never forget is that you cannot trust your emotions, and I mean, NOT EVER! It's through our emotions that the devil gains a foothold in our lives and then destroys any peace of mind, joy, confidence, you name it. He is the destroyer and the "liar from the beginning." (John 8:44). Those kids who taunt and tease you? They need your prayers! They are being run by the devil himself when they tease, torture, expose, etc., and hurt you. Jesus said we should turn the other cheek, but he also said "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44).

You are the "Only One and Only You," and God loves you very much. He wants to watch you blossom in your faith, and He wants you to see and understand what He wants for your life. Not depression and loneliness or a fear that you'll never have good friends. And be careful of those who say they are your friends? They may have ulterior motives? "One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24).  And remember this one as well: "Do not be deceived! Bad company corrupts good morals." (1 Corinthians 15:33).

God bless you today and may God guard your heart in Christ Jesus until that day when He will arrive on a very special cloud directly from heaven above to take us all home! Be at peace ladies, for the Lord is definitely with you!