Be Yourself

Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else. — Galatians 6:4

Have you ever been shopping and found an outfit that looks identical to the one your favorite celebrity wore on the red carpet — and for a fraction of the price? So you buy it only to realize it doesn’t quite look like it did on the waif-thin actress. And, besides, you don’t quite feel like yourself in it. That’s probably because, while the outfit looks great on the celebrity, it’s not your style! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to buy something, but after trying on the “look” in the dressing room, I quickly discover this 5’2” Greek woman simply can’t pull it off!

Way too often, we women (men too sometimes!) get so caught up with trying to be like someone else we forget how special we are.

Comparing your life, your calling, your schedule, or even your way of doing things with someone else’s will only bring frustration.

For instance, my neighbor is a brilliant stay-at-home mom raising several children, an effective member of the PTA, a freelance graphic artist who volunteers this gift once a week at her church — and still she is able to cook a gourmet meal each night for her family. What if she looked over her fence into my life and decided that having and doing it all meant she needed to do all the things she’s wired to do and everything she saw me doing… even though she absolutely hates traveling and public speaking? Now, that would be a problem!

Her husband and kids would be frustrated that she was gone so often pursuing something she doesn’t even enjoy; plus she’d eventually get kicked off the PTA for too many absentee votes, and her church would be forced to revert to using clip art. And I don’t even want to think about the chaos my family would experience if I tried to accomplish her “all,” while simultaneously traveling and preaching around the world and helping victims of human trafficking.

Clearly, we should each pursue having and doing our own unique “all.” So relax… love yourself and be who God made you to be.

Moment of Reflection

Are you comfortable being yourself? Who are you trying to emulate?

Excerpted with permission from Living Life Undaunted by Christine Caine, copyright Zondervan.

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Your Turn

How often are you tempted to try to be someone you admire and do what she does? My sister, Becky, is smart, beautiful, kind, and so easy to love. She is like MacGuyver in her uncanny ability to decorate her home with flair with just $5, a can of orange paint, and a few branches she cut from the trees in her garden. Becky also has this quirky and unfailingly cool fashion sense on a budget so almost every ensemble ends up costing her what I would spend on a purse from Target. She’s got this quiet, low-key, dry humor that she saves for just the right moment and knocks everyone within earshot down with laughter. And, to add insult to injury, she’s petite, itty-bitty thin (but with all the right curves in all the right places). Sad to say, I cannot be my beloved Becky. But, I can be content being me — loved by Jesus, with all my brokenness, gifts, flaws, positive traits, and weirdness. How about you? Are you learning to love and be yourself, too? Come share with us on our blog! ~ Laurie McClure, FaithGateway Women