I started Classically Courtney as a way to share what's going on in my life... Whether it be fashion, home decor, interior design remodeling, etc... I wanted to share (hopefully for inspiration) what's going on in my world. Lately I have been thinking... All these themes are great, and I enjoy the artistic outlet immensely, but I feel like I'm leaving out one of the biggest aspects of my personal life when it comes to my blog.... My faith in Jesus Christ is the central focus of how I strive to live on a day to day basis, and I thought it only seemed appropriate to include some Faith based posts occasionally on the blog as well. I don't want to make any rules or schedules for this series on the blog... whether I'm sharing a current devotional book or Scripture I'm loving... Or just some random thoughts that have been going through my head... I want it to be a spontaneous, heartfelt part of my blog. So, from now on, you can expect to see me posting here and there on different topics that are currently catching my attention.
To start off this new series, I want to talk about something that I feel just about every woman has been effected by...
Whether we want to admit it or not... Who hasn't scrolled through their social media feed, seen a friend or woman that they admire, and thought... Wow! She is so beautiful... She has it all together! She has perfectly styled outfits, an amazing house, she's thin and in shape, adorable kids, handsome husband, she's always cooking gourmet dinners for her family, going on luxurious vacations, etc. etc. etc.... and the list goes on! Without even thinking about it, you can find yourself discouraged and feeling like you will never measure up to such an impossible standard. In the past I have been as guilty as the next girl of having these kind of thoughts.
I consider myself a decently young and inexperienced person, but one thing that I have learned at the age of 26 is... Things are not always as they seem. Yes, those ladies you are stalking on social media (Don't deny it! We all do it!) are undoubtedly blessed women... but we can never truly know a person from their online image. So many people that I have perceived to have it "all together" I have found out have gone through some really tough stuff in life. They have quietly suffered through things we may never know about. Comparing your behind the scenes, raw life to their glamorous highlight reel is hardly an equal comparison. If we allow it, comparison can sneak in and steal any joy, appreciation, or gratefulness that you should be experiencing.
When it comes down to it, why do we compare ourselves to other women when it is so obvious that God designed us to be different and unique? Why do we try to squish ourselves into a one-size-fits-all American beauty standard? Galatians 1:10 really stood out to me and I think it answers my question...
For am I seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10
When we are seeking the approval of others we constantly feel like our lives have to measure up. We don't want to be looked at as "less"... or Heaven forbid someone thinks we are boring! When we seek the approval of Christ, our perspective changes a bit...
What is more important? That we have the latest fashion trends, the prettiest house in town, the perfect complexion, the cutest husband or boyfriend on Facebook... or a personal, daily walk with Jesus that, in my opinion, makes a young lady much more lovely than any "picture perfect" social media post ever could.
When we begin to change the lens we are viewing our lives with, comparison becomes less and less daunting. It doesn't happen over night, but with time in His word, and surrounding yourself with women who share the same values, comparison can slowly but surely change to contentment...
Now, everybody knows I'm a girly girl... I don't think that will ever change, to be honest! I absolutely love picking out outfits, home decor, interior design... the whole works! I feel like God designed us as women to love the prettier, softer things in life. While there is nothing wrong with any of these things, I pray that God will help me to stay focused on what truly matters to Him... I don't know about you, but more than my style or online image, I want to be defined by my love for Christ and others. There is nothing more beautiful than that!
COMPARISON.
I consider myself a decently young and inexperienced person, but one thing that I have learned at the age of 26 is... Things are not always as they seem. Yes, those ladies you are stalking on social media (Don't deny it! We all do it!) are undoubtedly blessed women... but we can never truly know a person from their online image. So many people that I have perceived to have it "all together" I have found out have gone through some really tough stuff in life. They have quietly suffered through things we may never know about. Comparing your behind the scenes, raw life to their glamorous highlight reel is hardly an equal comparison. If we allow it, comparison can sneak in and steal any joy, appreciation, or gratefulness that you should be experiencing.
When it comes down to it, why do we compare ourselves to other women when it is so obvious that God designed us to be different and unique? Why do we try to squish ourselves into a one-size-fits-all American beauty standard? Galatians 1:10 really stood out to me and I think it answers my question...
For am I seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10
When we are seeking the approval of others we constantly feel like our lives have to measure up. We don't want to be looked at as "less"... or Heaven forbid someone thinks we are boring! When we seek the approval of Christ, our perspective changes a bit...
What is more important? That we have the latest fashion trends, the prettiest house in town, the perfect complexion, the cutest husband or boyfriend on Facebook... or a personal, daily walk with Jesus that, in my opinion, makes a young lady much more lovely than any "picture perfect" social media post ever could.
When we begin to change the lens we are viewing our lives with, comparison becomes less and less daunting. It doesn't happen over night, but with time in His word, and surrounding yourself with women who share the same values, comparison can slowly but surely change to contentment...
Now, everybody knows I'm a girly girl... I don't think that will ever change, to be honest! I absolutely love picking out outfits, home decor, interior design... the whole works! I feel like God designed us as women to love the prettier, softer things in life. While there is nothing wrong with any of these things, I pray that God will help me to stay focused on what truly matters to Him... I don't know about you, but more than my style or online image, I want to be defined by my love for Christ and others. There is nothing more beautiful than that!
