Oct 03 2008
Natalie Nyquist Part 2
I put this questions separately because Natalie’s response is so crucially important. Really grab a hold of what she is communicating, it will radically change the way you live.
Christa: If there was one thing you could tell other young women what would it be?
Natalie: Our culture—even the conservative Christian sub-culture—often lives for approval. We hide any rough edges or signs of wear behind a carefully constructed mask of confidence, perfection, and success. Perhaps the Christian version of success holds a different form than pop culture’s, but it is every bit as constricting. Each group has their checklist and each of us mentally weighs self and everyone else against the ideal persona. Yet will we ever measure up?
Even if we could conceivably do everything right, neither life nor God offer a guarantee that our world will progress in the way we want it to. In fact, the one surety we have is that disappointments, hurts, and injustice will appear to shred our hopeful house of cards. Everyone’s expectations must ultimately adjust to reality.
Find and embrace the freedom God intends for us as His daughters. Be confident—not in your own attributes but in His love and faithfulness. Be courageous in the face of possible heartache, pain, and disappointment.
My challenge to young women: Find and embrace the freedom God intends for us as His daughters. Be confident—not in your own attributes but in His love and faithfulness. Be courageous in the face of possible heartache, pain, and disappointment. Strive not for any group’s ideals but only for the call the Lord proclaims in His word. Holiness (1 Peter 1:16). Purity (Philippians 1:10; 1 Timothy 5:22). Compassion (Colossians 3:12).
Some make their foremost goal to avoid pain, wounds, and scars. Yet by God’s sovereign choosing, pain and suffering are most often the way He chooses to teach about both His heart and yours, and to mold you into what He desires you to be. Refuse to allow fear of heartbreak to determine the direction or dynamic of your relationships. Fight against the temptation to be hesitant or overly guarded to the point of wearing a mask. Don’t be afraid of pain, whether it is in your relationship with a family member, best friend, or sweetheart.
This is the path of an Empowered Traditionalist.
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Christa, this is a great statement you made:
“My challenge to young women: Find and embrace the freedom God intends for us as His daughters. Be confident—not in your own attributes but in His love and faithfulness. Be courageous in the face of possible heartache, pain, and disappointment. Strive not for any group’s ideals but only for the call the Lord proclaims in His word.”
Your whole post was very encouraging and rang true to me. I’ve known young women who’ve struggled tremendously with idealistic mindsets, only to have those mindsets finally shattered by coming to grips with their need to rely solely on God/Jesus Christ and look to Him as their fulfillment. Young women and teen girls are especially prone to body image issues and trying to “fit in”, even in conservative Christian circles.
Victories through Jesus’ great love and acceptance of us will come, and I’ve witnessed these tremendous acts of God’s mercy and healing.
“Be confident—not in your own attributes but in His love and faithfulness.” It’s soo nice to hear that from the fashion world!! We’re so often told to have confidence in ourselves, but we can’t save ourselves; God is sovereign, and That is Whom we need to have confidence in. Thanks for that post!
Yes, we must remember to do things for God and not try to get the compliments or good opinion of others. It is but for Christ that we are here, and for Christ we must live.
Thank you so much for commenting, it was very exciting to get a comment back from you. About the calories . . . I threw the box away once it was empty, not thinking about upcoming questions. So, when we purchase some more, I’ll be sure to let you know.
God Bless You!
Miss Emily Rose
http://www.simplyvintagegirl.com/blog/
Thank you Natalie! You don’t know me personally, but I am a faithful reader of YLCF. I do hope I get to meet you and Gretchen and Lanier someday!! You girls always post something on YLCF that is perfectly pertinent to whatever I am going through at the moment. And to see you on other blogs is even more encouraging!!! Thank you for sharing your wisdom and your heart with us. I appreciate it so very much.
God’s love and blessings to you, dear!
Hannah M.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/hearthome
Sometimes it seems to me that men are naturally more free than women…
“Your desire shall be for your husband”
We are always seeking someone’s approvel. Can we be free without it? I haven’t mastered it yet…
But it also seems that when I am the most FREE, when I’m really letting God shine from inside me, I feel happy and fulfilled. But only for a moment. THen I look over at the girls who are trying so hard for approvel– and are getting it. They have (what my mom calls) the “cool” thing going on. And it seems like I would be having more fun if I were doing that. If I were trying really hard to be “popular”. I’m sure I could be inside. But I don’t really think I’d want to be like the particular girls that I’m thinking of. Thjey’re not neccesarily “pleasent”. And yet, they are the ones that move in the “cool” circles.
How can I get the “fulfilled” feeling to stay?
Dear Grace, faithful sister,
Time and time again I have faced the same struggle, I want to be desirable to the guys, have the competitive edge with the girls, to be popular with both guys and girls…the message is, “If you have these things you will be happy and fulfilled!” But it’s a lie- those things do not bring fulfillment. Until we repent of our own sinful desires and cravings, we will never find true satisfaction.
The starting point for any for repentance, for any true fulfillment is answered in
When our hearts are captivated by the world, we have lost sight of Christ. First, and foremost- direct your heart and your mind to God.
Proverbs speaks of 2 women,
Lady Folly and Lady Wisdom. Both are beautiful.
One is the doorway to an open grave, the other is the passageway to discernment, holiness and Life.
You want to be a woman who has the kind of beauty that flows from a heart at rest. The kind of beauty that Wisdom exudes, a beauty that invites others to be vulnerable, and find rest in your presence.
Leave an Indelible Mark
“popularity” or physical beauty only gives a brief, momentary impression. It may impress, but it does not invite. True beauty- a true woman- leaves an indelible mark on the lives of those she touches.
And may I mention- the beauty you exhibit will determine what kind of man you will attract. A Godly man will see through the outward “accoutrements” and look for the heart.
Pray for like-minded friends who have the same values and can remind you “Blesses are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with their whole heart.” (Ps 119:2)
Find a mentor who is a couple years (or many years) older at your church who can encourage you.
Plunge in deep with your walk with the Lord, be radical about pursuing your relationship with Him.
Be encouraged, you are not in this alone.