Tamara – Page 256 – REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES

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Working the Steps :: Step 7

In the first six steps we admitted powerlessness over our dependencies, turned our life over to God, looked honestly at ourselves, revealed hidden weaknesses, and became ready to change. Step Seven is the opportunity for God to remove our weaknesses.

BOOK REVIEW:

Feminism: Mystique or Mistake?

by Diane Passno

A candid look at today’s feminist movement and how it has affected every level of society.

Virtues ~n~ Vices :: HUMILITY

Next to love, humility is one of the most important virtues. Without humility it’s impossible for us to grow, simply because we don’t think we need to!

Healing Hurts :: Damaged Self-Image

What do you base your self-image on? Media influence, peer pressure, latest fashion trends? I think it’s safe to say most women struggle with their self-image. Let’s confront this battle head on and find answers that will lead to healing.

Look for these articles punctuated by beautiful music each week in July!

Blessings… Tamara

Inadequacy, Inferiority, Low Self-esteem, Poor Self-worth, Self-loathing…

These and other related emotional issues are prevalent in our society today not just among young girls, tweens and adolescents, but women of all ages from all walks of life.

Feelings of inadequacy usually have their roots in childhood hurts and wounds, a dysfunctional family environment, emotionally abusive parents, critical or shaming authority figures, and cruel peers.

The media and culture has created unattainable standards of beauty, power, wealth and fame that also trigger feelings of inadequacy. Even though we’re healthy and have all our basic needs met, we obsess over our body, clothes, job, and possessions, worried that they don’t measure up.

Inadequacy causes us to drift along in life with no purpose or meaning. We build our lives on philosophy, self-reliance, human morality, ethics, wealth, power, or self-interest and find ourselves on a shaky foundation with nothing of substance holding us up.

Do you struggle with inadequacy, low self-worth, inferiority? Are you…

Self-critical
Fearful of failure and avoid taking risks
Desperate for approval from others
Unable to set boundaries
Ashamed of your background
Unhappy with personal appearance and achievements
Constantly comparing yourself to others

How can we get off this treadmill of torture, depression and despair?

Overcome self-defeating statements, acquire a positive self-image and learn to value yourself as God does.

Read aloud and receive the following 7 truths about yourself:

I accept God’s Word that I am created in His image. (Genesis 1:27)
I accept myself as being acceptable to Christ. (Romans 15:7)
I accept what I cannot change about myself. (Romans 9:20-21)
I accept the fact that I will make mistakes. (Philippians 3:12-14)
I accept criticism and the responsibility for failure. (Psalm 32:5)
I accept that I will not be liked or loved by everyone. (John 15:18,20)
I accept the unchangeable circumstances in my life. (Philippians 4:11)

Looking at life through eternal lenses changes our whole outlook. Seeing God’s purpose and plan in all things daily can help us accept who and where we are, to be more stable in the now – for the future.