The Ultimate Fashion Faux Pas

We will be remembered for who we are, not what we wear

I stood in my closet staring at the plethora of clothing hanging in front of me filled with frustration because I had nothing to wear! Several pieces already lay strewn on the floor that had been tried and rejected by the judgmental woman who wasn’t pleased with the reflection that she saw in the mirror. Ever been there? 

            Some days getting dressed for my day can become a task of monumental proportions if I let my insecurity be the judge of what’s good enough. One outfit might draw too much attention, another not enough. One outfit seems too revealing, while the other too frumpy. I wonder, are these shoes still in style or did they go out last season? What’s a girl to do when the fashion police are in her own head? 

            I once saw an interview where a famous fashion consultant was asked what he considered to be the ultimate fashion faux pas. His answer, “people who try too hard”. Maybe I couldn’t settle on the perfect outfit because I was trying too hard to be seen as beautiful by the world’s standards. 

Sometimes we can spend a lot of time trying really hard to look like we’re not trying too hard. Am I right?! We worry so much about how we look on the outside, when God is more concerned about how we look on the inside.  

The Bible is filled with many stories of women who were beautiful in appearance but there was so much more to them than just outward beauty:

·      Sarah was considered quite beautiful even in her old age, but we remember her as a woman of faith who trusted in God’s faithfulness even when her patience was tested.

·      In 1 Samuel, Abigail is called intelligent and beautiful, but she is most remembered for her good judgment as she sought David’s favor in order to save her entire household. 

·      Esther became the wife of a king because of her beauty, but we remember her for her courage as she risked her life to save her people. 

We don’t even know what the women we read about in the Bible looked like, but we have all learned from their stories. We see ourselves in their mistakes and we find hope in their faithfulness. None of these women are remembered because of their beauty, their clothing, or any other outward adornment. Their names are forever recorded in Scripture because of the faithfulness by which they lived.  

There is nothing wrong with wanting to look our best every day, but let’s not commit the ultimate fashion faux pas by being women who try too hard to look a certain way on the outside while losing focus of who God says we are on the inside. When we know whose we are, we can stop trying so hard. We will be remembered for WHO we are, not WHAT we wear.

Reflection

1. How have struggles with your outward appearance kept you from experiencing all that God has called you to do for His Kingdom?

2. Have you ever tried too hard to fit in by wearing what others say is fashionable? If so, how did you overcome the need to conform and find your own style?

3. What is one step you can take this month to start living like you want to be remembered?

Goals

What are three articles of clothing you can get rid of this month that don’t make you feel beautiful?

And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. (Hebrews 11:11 NIV)

David said to Abigail, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my own hands. (1 Samuel 25:32 33 NIV)

“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” (Esther 4:16 NIV)

Melanie Wheeler

December Box

Faith: 6-day Fashion Devotional,

• value of $11

• BONUS ITEMS: Quarterly we upgrade our boxes and for the month of December, subscribers will get 2 items!

  • Must have Leopard print faux fur tuck-in scarf, value $15

  • Christmas crew socks, value $10

    • Each box contains 1 pair of socks, pictured are the different options.

• Prayer Card to keep in your devotional or Bible.

• Monthly coupon from both CW.

Introducing our new subscription Box!

Faith + Fashion
Designed & Curated For You To Get Out Of The Box

The Created Woman Podcasts