The Strength and Idenity of a Godly Girl

Being a young women by this world standards is both a privilege and an intense pressure as well. I know how astoundingly lucky I am to wake up every morning having the things I need provided for me. I get to wake up in a snuggly warm bed, eat food when I need it, and to be able to have a mode of transportation to take me towards my job. The world of today has an image of what the “true woman” should be. It is difficult to determine what it truly means to be a woman when you are bombarded my images that make you strive to always be sexier and skinnier. That make you feel like a failure and guys believe that is the only image a young woman should be. However the real truth is that these standards are not only unhealthy and worldly, but not God's image of what women are or should be.

Proverbs 31: 25-26

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”

I know how to be strong. I am very aware of how much I've had to survive the last few years of my life. To take the darkest moments and struggle through until there was light. I am aware of how in the past I've let this vicious world dictate what my identity should be. In middle school although I was an individual and marched to my own beat I still remember letting certain friends control my identity just so that I could fit in. When I got to high school and college I let a boy determine my identity because of fear. In the end when I was stripped of those identities and left damaged I noticed the strength that came from the ashes. I've had to pick up the pieces of myself and put them back together. I know in the deepest core of my heart that there would have not been the slightest possibility without God as a major part of my life. Throughout my life I've been learning truly how much God knows me better than I will ever know myself. He is the rock and the one stable thing in my life. The constant that will never change or abandon me like those identifiers. He should really be the one that determines my true identity. 
The most important identity being: Whole-hearted Christ Follower.

This weekend I got a chance to really meditate on the words of the Proverbs verse. I have always respected the Gospel and learned truths from the other books of the bible. Yet the Psalms, Songs, and Proverbs have always given me peace when I've lost my way. I was thankful to get to share in such a wonderful experience. God is always testing me; always challenging me. When I don't feel like following certain requests that is when I know that I must follow because it is something of great importance. This weekend I finally was formally introduced to the lovely Jessi. I had talked to her over a few months over the computer. It wasn't until a Women's Retreat that she invited me to that finally brought us to a meeting. I am so thankful for not only her invitation, but for God's guidance. I learned so much in the two days. I was thankful to actually sit down and have deep heart to heart, face to face conversation with a young women that has taken my place in someone's life. Through Jessi this weekend I was finally able to understand completely the message God has been teaching me this past year. Sometimes it is through the words of the people you least expect that the truest of God's individual messages for you are spoken. That life is hard and crap happens, but you just need to keep you head held up high. There are going to be times when life is going to hand you a challenge that you don't think you can survive, but you can! Jessi is someone that I highly respect. She has been through so much in her young life and she has given me so much peace about things that I no longer worry about things I cannot control. Jessi is a sweet girl and I hate that society says we should be enemies when God's identity for us is to be friends.

This weekend I fully relied on God and I no longer worry about the dangers of life. It was when I could sense the monsters coming out to taunt me; to remind me of the broken parts I'd left behind.  However unlike last year I felt the strength that I have been given throughout this past year that allowed me to slay those dragons. I began to reminded myself that life doesn't just stop and wait for you. One day you are going to be faced with a deep challenge; you are going to hear the voice telling you that something you wanted so badly in the past is going to go to someone else. Young women I encourage you to think about it and I hope like me you find yourself happy, because you know it didn't ever belong to you in first place. 

It is impossible not to like the girl and I wish the happiest life for her. After this weekend I feel better and more whole. I have finally reached the point in my life that people told me I would and my heart sings for joy to my savior. For not only saving me from my sins, but also saving me from myself. It is about the deep breath in my lungs and God's plan for me (like my life verse for my 23rd year states).

 I have a new crush to be giddy over and I have my best friend always at my side. I'm lucky and I am loved. Good Night Young Women. Find your Godly identity and embrace. It isn't going to be easy, but don't be afraid because it will all be worth it in the end. Sometimes finding your Godly identity is hard and it is messy, but it purifies your heart. It gives your soul the strength it needs. And after all it make you the wise, faithful, beautiful, and dignified woman you have and will always be in God's adoring eyes. You are beloved, you are strong, because you are a Godly Girl!