Response to "Mirror Mirror..."

[DarkNebulaWelder]

This is in response to the topic "Mirror, Mirror...." which, for some reason, the system says I was not allowed tto respond to, so here goes:

I guess I would be classified as one of those Christians that downplays her looks. I have done quite a bit of modeling in the past, and am fairly tall, so I guess a lot of people consider me to be "extremely beautiful", and yes, I do downplay my looks because of it. I rarely wear makeup, and dress down quite a bit. I don't dress "dowdy", per se, but I do wear clothes that don't elicit a lot of second glances. When I do dress up, I get stared at quite a lot, which makes me feel very uncomfortable, so I just don't do it. There are 2 reasons for this:

(1) I find that, when I dress down, it is easier for me to talk to women. When I wear makeup and dress feminine, the women don't seem quite as friendly, and many of them will look at me as if I'm out-of-line, which I don't really understand, because I NEVER wear anything revealing. I love being a part of womens' groups, and sharing with other Christian women, and if I have to downplay my looks in order for that, then so be it.

(2) I find that it helps my Christian witness. When I was going to university, I was part of a street witnessing team, and even when I didn't wear make-up or dress up, I found that women wouldn't listen, and guys would approach me and try to hit on me. Ya, they'd start out by pretending to have questions about the faith, but then 10 min. into the conversation, they'd steer it in the direction of my looks, or try to hit on me. After a few weeks, I quit that area of ministry, because I felt I was hindering the cause.

It may sound contrived and lame, but I do feel that I get judged on my looks A LOT, even by Christians. This is actually one of the reasons I left the church in the first place...I felt no one really took me seriously, or cared about my walk with God, because I was deemed "pretty."

The final straw was went I went up to a certain evangelist who was preaching at my church, with a question re: if it's normal for me, as a Christian, to not like myself, and he said "Well, why are you worrying about that? You're so beautiful." It got to the point where I didn't think God could use me, and all I was good for was my looks.

Anyhow, that's why I downplay my looks a lot. I'm sure everyone has reasons for doing this, but this is just my experience.

[Guest lnj]

I find it sad that as a whole, we Christian women have been taught to believe that to playdown one's God given beauty is THE acceptable STANDARD in Church.

This is not true.

[DarkNebulaWelder]

I find it sad that as a whole, we Christian women have been taught to believe that to playdown one's God given beauty is THE acceptable STANDARD in Church.

This is not true.

I was actually raised by a mother who was a beauty queen, so she always put great emphasis on me looking my best...It's as I got older, and discovered that this is all I was good for, that I started downplaying my looks

[Scarletprayers]

I was never a "beauty" but I didn't make people wanna throw up either, but after I got burned, I've noticed people don't want to look me in the face anymore.........................can't win either way it seems.

[WayneB]

Hello DNW..

The reason that you couldn't post on the original thread is that it is the Controversial Forum, which requires 100 posts. We set that standard so new folks would focus on fellowship first before they dive right into controversial discussions.

I hope you enjoy your time and fellowship here at Worthy.

God Bless,

wayne

[DarkNebulaWelder]

I was never a "beauty" but I didn't make people wanna throw up either, but after I got burned, I've noticed people don't want to look me in the face anymore.........................can't win either way it seems.

WOW...I don't see why. I think that your being "burned" would be a beautiful testimony of how God was with you, and spared your life.

[Guest lnj]

I find it sad that as a whole, we Christian women have been taught to believe that to playdown one's God given beauty is THE acceptable STANDARD in Church.

This is not true.

I was actually raised by a mother who was a beauty queen, so she always put great emphasis on me looking my best...It's as I got older, and discovered that this is all I was good for, that I started downplaying my looks

That is another lie(about beauty).

We are not to concentrate on our looks for just looks sake.

It IS a part of who we are and it is to be used in conjunction with ALL other gifts, talents etc that God has given us.

Satan has been USING womens beauty AGAINST God's own Creation- ourselves- for far too long.

Look at all the body image problems we have in the world. Normal women with a self loathing when they look in the mirror.

Satan roams like a lion, devouring those who fall for his lies.

Self loathing and the rest fall into those lies, as well as all beauty issues.

[Scarletprayers]

I think people are afraid I might think they are staring, you know what, the scars are there, I know they are there, you know they are.........? Just ask me if you want to know, I'll tell you..............but looking past my shoulder or over my head gets kinda annoying after awhile.

[Guest lnj]

I find it sad that as a whole, we Christian women have been taught to believe that to playdown one's God given beauty is THE acceptable STANDARD in Church.

This is not true.

I was actually raised by a mother who was a beauty queen, so she always put great emphasis on me looking my best...It's as I got older, and discovered that this is all I was good for, that I started downplaying my looks

That is another lie(about beauty).

We are not to concentrate on our looks for just looks sake.

It IS a part of who we are and it is to be used in conjunction with ALL other gifts, talents etc that God has given us.

Satan has been USING womens beauty AGAINST God's own Creation- ourselves- for far too long.

Look at all the body image problems we have in the world. Normal women with a self loathing when they look in the mirror.

Satan roams like a lion, devouring those who fall for his lies.

Self loathing and the rest fall into those lies, as well as all beauty issues.

[Guest lnj]

I find it sad that as a whole, we Christian women have been taught to believe that to playdown one's God given beauty is THE acceptable STANDARD in Church.

This is not true.

I was actually raised by a mother who was a beauty queen, so she always put great emphasis on me looking my best...It's as I got older, and discovered that this is all I was good for, that I started downplaying my looks

That is another lie(about beauty).

We are not to concentrate on our looks for just looks sake.

It IS a part of who we are and it is to be used in conjunction with ALL other gifts, talents etc that God has given us.

Satan has been USING womens beauty AGAINST God's own Creation- ourselves- for far too long.

Look at all the body image problems we have in the world. Normal women with a self loathing when they look in the mirror.

Satan roams like a lion, devouring those who fall for his lies.

Self loathing and the rest fall into those lies, as well as all beauty issues.