I have been in need of new eye-glasses for quite a while. I finally made the appointment.
Then came the daunting task of choosing new frames. Why was it so stressful for me? It seems like a simple choice for so many.
First, it is a big financial investment, so I better LOVE them.
Secondly, decisions like this always bring an inner fight to go with the super conservative or take a risk and get something different.
Do I choose the plain wire ones or the “radical” ones that seem sturdier? (Sturdiness is a concern factor when dealing with rowdy boys and a rambunctious little girl.) After much debating, I decided on the ones that weren’t so conservative.
I woke up in the middle of the night worried that I had made the wrong choice.
The panic attack had begun.
I lay there, my heart starting to race.
That voice telling me, “You should have gotten the plain ones. Do you want people to see you or your glasses when they look at you? People will only notice the flashy new frames and not you… well, you don’t matter anyway.”
I’ve grown weary of second guessing myself and of hearing that voice speaking to me in such a negative condemning tone.
RETHINK- verb:Β think again about (something such as a policy or course of action),
esp. in order to make changes to it
A wise Christian counselor once spoke with me of why I think the way I do and how to go about changing it. Making a lasting change actually has to do with changing how you think. There is a need to train your self to think differently. You actually have to make new paths for the neurons in your brain to follow instead of following the old paths.
“…be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
~Romans 12:2 (emphasis mine)
What made me think that way?
Is there Truth in it?
Will it be against God’s will for me to get different frames?
Will it really affect anything?
More importantly: whose voice is telling me that plain is better and more ‘godly and feminine’?
I found the voice was from years ago. Telling me that to be godly I had to fit into a particular cookie cutter.
As I thought about that, the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit asked…
Was it an opinion or was there a scriptural basis for it?
Is God going to love me less because I chose eye-glass frames that weren’t so plain?
Will I no longer be pleasing to the Lord because of my choice of frames?
Aren’t the non-conservative ones actually more feminine, being pink metallic and having pearl inlay on the sides?
The enemy fights to draw me into living my life under the thumb of condemnation.
I find myself very thankful that God’s grace doesn’t allow for it.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
~Romans 8:1
I choose to live in His grace.
I choose to enjoy my new frames.
Is the enemy trying to steal your joy today by keeping you under his thumb of condemnation?
Is there somewhere in your life where you need to choose to live in His grace?
By Sharon ofΒ Hiking Toward Home
Leave a Comment
I Live in an Antbed says
I’m glad you went for the “less conservative” ones! You are a Daughter of the King! You are of infinite value and worth. He calls you His Beloved!! There is NO condemnation for you!! We are so very blessed to be so Loved. May you hear Him singing over you as you sleep, instead of hearing the accusations of the evil one.
Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home says
Sweet Anne, thank you. What a blessing to me to have you “speak scripture” over me today. Thank you for encouraging me today.
Beth Werner Lee says
Love the new frames! Yes!
Even more I love God’s work in your heart. Praise Him!
And thank you for sharing it with all of us.
Is the enemy trying to steal my joy today by keeping me under his thumb of condemnation? Oh, yes. Difficult night, hard to know why God allows, and then I wake to your message reminding me that he does have renewing to do in my mind, heart.
Hope! Enjoying the walk, day to day, hand in his to keep me safe.
Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home says
Thank you, Beth. What a blessing to know He has used these words to speak to you today.
Holley Gerth says
Oh, yes, those new paths in the neurons–so hard, so good. I say this as a counselor a lot. And I need to remember to practice it myself! π Thank you for blazing the trails for those new pathways of truth. So glad you’re here with us today, Sharon!
Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home says
Its good to be here! Thank you for your sweet comment, it is very encouraging to me.
Craig says
Sharon,
Wisdom in these words. The Spirit speaks in these words. And from these words it is clear you walk in the steps of Our Lord and listen to that oh so small, still and quiet voice.
The world (and the negative inner voice) speaks loud and in an earthly language that is easy to recognize – and hard to ignore. The voice of God speaks softly, in the native tongue of heaven, is not always so easy to recognize, and is too easy to ignore.
I know you already know this – today you’ve reminded me.
God Bless you and yours.
Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home says
Craig, thank you for hiking over here today! π
Finally learning to listen and discern was a life-changing thing for me. I had been ruled by that LOUD voice for so long. Hoping I remain sensitive to it for the rest of my earthly days.
Paula says
It is refreshing to read such honesty. I, too, am forging new paths in my thinking that follow the way of grace rather than false guilt. I helps to hear this struggle so beautifully articulated.
Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home says
Paula, You put that so well, “follow the way of grace rather than false guilt.” Amen and Amen. It is a blessing to know this has been confirming for you. Keep Hiking in His Grace!
Linda says
Just wanted to say that I really like the frames you chose. I’m due for a new pair soon & I know what a big deal it is to pick the perfect pair that will hold up to active kids (I have 3 young boys). What stood out most in your post though was how you included the Lord in your decision making, how convicting. Thanks for sharing!
Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home says
Thank you Linda. I try to include Him in every decision. When I don’t I usually end up with a mess! 1 Peter 5:7 “casting ALL your care upon him”
Katie says
I am so encouraged by your post to know that I am not alone. I am currently choosing to retrain how I think… and it is so so hard. I am choosing the grace path more and more.
Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home says
Dear Katie, Keep on choosing grace! Keep hiking on that path! Hike in His grace.
mrshobbes says
OMGosh, this resonated with me so much because I went through an agonizing time choosing my new eyeglass frames! And my thoughts were pretty much like yours: something conservative and clean, or a little bolder and racier? I went with the latter, then I realized that perhaps my glasses don’t “go” with my personality (i’m notoriously conservative) or that they were too flashy, etc. You’re absolutely right in saying lasting change has to start with what thoughts are swirling in the mind. And the thoughts? They change once beliefs change in the heart.
I love how you included the Lord in this whole simple choice of what to get. Makes me realize that I should include Him in my mundane, everyday tasks. I think I’d end up living a happier, more joyful mundane if I included Him, haha! π
Thank you for your post! π
Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home says
I guess another part of the struggle is not knowing if they would go with my personality either… but then again… I haven’t a clue how I would describe my personality. π I just went for it. My husband likes them and that is who counts! He is the one who has see me in them the most.
Amanda K says
Beautifully worded Sharon.
Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home says
Thank you Amanda. π
Living the Balanced Life says
Working daily to be renewed in my thinking! Great post, and, I LOVE the glasses!
Bernice
Are you too busy to be yourself?
Sharon @ Hiking Toward Home says
Thank for stopping in and leaving such a sweet comment.
willowsprite says
Great post. I constantly struggle with my insecurities, always wondering what people think of me. I think back to a conversation with a friend and think “Why did I say that?? What did she think of it?” and so on. My whole life I’ve also stuggled with body image as well, looking in the mirror and mentally saying “I’m fat.” And the constant second guessing or stuggling to make a decision can be paralizing!
I haven’t succeeded in changing these patterns of thinking…yet. I thank the Lord every day though for my husband who accepts me for who I am, and all my insecurites. I like the phrase you wrote “Is God going to love me less?”
Sharon@HikingTowardHome says
Praise the Lord for such a supportive husband!
Sometimes when our decisions are overwhelming it is because we are leaving the Lord’s will out of the process or we need to view them from another perspective.
Thanks for sharing your struggle here, a great book for battling those insecurities is Beth Moore’s So Long Insecurity.
Ksenia says
Yes Sharon,you made a great point,now i know i am not the only one.As a newborn christian”so to say” i am changing my ways.” put off an old man, put on a new man” Some of my clothes,i used to wear, dont seem quite appropriate any more. i am trying to match my spiritual condition to the way i look and act(the hardest one) i like that “i choose to enjoy my new frames” “to live in his grace”
so God help me
P.S.
Sharon,could you remaind me please what are those verses from the Bible , new
outfit, the belt on rightiousness ,something like that, cant remember. thanks a lot
Sharon@HikingTowardHome says
Dear Ksenia, Thanks for hiking over here and commenting. π I will get those verses to you this week.
Ksenia says
thanks, i hope you feel better, take care
Mindy says
Love this post! Thank you for sharing. I love the questions, “was there a scriptural basis?” Good stuff. I find myself retraining my mind often. It’s definitely a learned discipline thats well worth it. Darn Satan!
Thanks again!
Mel's World with Melissa Mashburn says
Love these glasses, love your post and love the thought and heart behind the inner discussion. So many times we let the voice of others crowd of His voice. My heart jumped right off the page when I saw Romans 12:1-2 for that is my heart, life and ministry verse. Thank you for allowing God to use you to speak to us! ~ Melissa
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