Everyday I get on Instagram, Facebook, snapchat, or Pinterest. And everyday I scroll through and see more and more attention seeking photos and "contests." You know what I'm talking about. The contests where your followers or friends comment, vote, or rate different young ladies. I'm not writing to you to scold you or lecture you. I just want you to think about what you're doing. Have you ever thought about how this effects others? What about the self-esteem of the girls that maybe don't win or aren't "rated" as high? Have you ever thought about why you are posting what you are posting? Are you looking for someone to show you your worth? Do you just want someone to compliment you? I'm not saying selfies are all bad; but why are you doing it? What is your motive? I come across too many young girls who are looking for their self worth in the wrong things. Whether it be Instagram, Facebook, boys, or contests on social media, you will never find what you are looking for in those worldly things. But I do know where it can be found. Your confidence and self worth is found in the one and only Jesus Christ. Let me tell you a little bit about my struggle with my confidence and my worth. For the longest time, I thought I found these things in my "popularity." I let what people thought about me determine who I was. It ruled over me. I only cared about the thoughts of others and whether or not people liked me or not. I searched for my worth in all of the wrong places and my confidence and self-respect died even more. A few months ago I discovered the verse that says, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." Isaiah 40:8. My life verse. It finally clicked that the things of this world did not matter and what people thought of me did not matter. It only matters what God thinks of me and if I am striving to live for Him everyday, then nothing else matters. Because in the end, all we have is God. I began to find my confidence and I finally found my voice. Not in the ways of the world or the pictures I posted or by how many friends I had, but I found what I had been striving so hard to find in my savior. Hebrews 10:35 says, "So do not throw away this confident trust in The Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!" I trust God with my worth and I trust Him with my life. So I challenge you; if you are looking for your worth in something of this world, look toward God instead and you will find your answer. I love each and every one of you and I am praying God grows in each of you💕
❤️- Madelynn