I just read an article about how due to some sort of sport illustrated photoshoot, women are now feeling pressured to have vaginal reconstructive surgery to pull back the skin. I know there are many debates on women and our image. So, I suppose in adding this article to the debate. Women are constantly accused of being overly self conscious and/or overly sensitive about our looks. We admire those who seem to have effortless beauty and near perfection, not knowing what they go through themselves. She points out in this article that there's always a new body part that society picks at for us women Ladies, Do you remember a time when you didn't want to wave to people due to your arm flab? I remember in school, if get picked on for my thick eyebrows. So, I had an obsession in college with paying to get the hairs ripped out of my face with hot wax. In college, I learned as a women, I shouldn't have hair down there, although years ago it was a symbol of my maturity. I've obsessed over my triceps to reduce my "flab", squatted like crazy to grow my butt, done crazy daily sit ups because my stomach should be flat, lowered the weights on my curls to avoid "looking masculine", straightened my hair because that's the most acceptable, dropped carbs so I don't seems fat, reunited with carbs so I don't seem too worried about my body image, and the list goes on. These are honestly some unnecessary changes that I've felt needed to happen in order to be accepted and beautiful. We as women are targeted by the society in all aspects. The way we speak, walk, act, dress....how we wear our hair, how much skin we show, how much confidence we exhibit. There's no aspect of us that has not been brought to the spotlight! They make shorts so short that suffocate our lady parts (want them longer? You've got to pay more), yet when something bad happens, it's because we were dressed in the same shorts that were forced upon us. I'm sorry this is long, but it's just so frustrating to know that the spotlight is now on such a personal area!
This isn't limited to secular society either. In the church, there is a movement towards modesty. We have to help our men remain pure. So we must conver up everything so not to tempt them. I understand and support dressing as modestly as possible, but if a button comes undone or if a skirt rides up in the back, I also don't think that as ladies we should feel ashamed. One of my biggest struggle when getting dressed has been my larger cup size and my not so large mid section. Most dresses are either long but with a low cleavage cut, covers up but dips in the back or covers up, but I feel myself stuff my twins inside the dress. I absolutely love buttons; unfortunately, buttons sometimes fail at the task of containing curves. It his dressing modestly gets more difficult eith more curves and honestly can get expensive. Older ladies in the church should really be helping other women in this movement. I've been scoffed at for showing my calves in church, and given looks when cleavage was unknowingly showing. Instead of giving looks, bring your fellow ladies a new shirt that you think they would love and would look cute. Use positive statements like, "This dress is very flattering on you, but it tends to [insertt problem here]. " Then include a solution. "Let's go shopping" " I can alter that if you'd like". Many women in the church who are showing are not doing it to show off to the men. Some may not realize it, others honestly want to change but are struggling, others may be too offended by prior attacks they don't want to be bothered. The trick is to approach your sisters in love, but do remember that she can choose whichever path she feels most comfortable with. God works on our hearts in different ways and timelines.
Finally, ladies, please don't continue to fall victim to these industries! Keeping us feeling inferior, ugly, fat, etc is just a business. You're all beautiful in your own way! Let your health be the measure of physical changes, anything beyond that is just a personal goal. Let the strong women of the Bible and Jesus Himself be a reference for any character changes. God has a plan for each and every one of us. Just follow his example and walk in love and don't worry about what the world has to say, that will drive you crazy and make you bitter. True change in character will result in an outward change. Let's pray each day to let self die so that Christ can live within us.
