This article is in no way aimed at a specific person or group of people.
Growing up in a fairly strict household with parents who had deep roots of belief in their faith, I was always encouraged (a.k.a. forced) to be modest. It was never crazy, but my littler sister and I did wear tank tops regularly, pulled up to a reasonable distance, of course, and our dresses always hung below or in the middle of our knees. I believe we have turned out pretty well, and we still keep those same thoughts now that we have grown up, without judging those who do not have the same foundation.
Now that I am older, I feel as if my parents were setting me up for life by teaching me how to be modest. They were not just trying to hold the “religious family” label; they taught us so that we could be respected, and they were trying to instill in us more than the way to dress, but to dress in a way that demanded respect.
You see, modesty is a way of life, a life led by Christ that is humble and obedient. A girl who is modest is a girl whose abilities cannot be approximated. She is someone who is okay with letting Christ shine through her, instead of her shining. A modest girl is one who receives respect because she is confident without having to show parts of her body, meaning she is confident within herself.
I am not saying that if you are not modest that you will not be respected because I know there are other features that can gain respect, but it will gain you genuine respect. Respect that you will want to have, that will be easy to maintain, and a respect that you will be proud of.
There are two main ways I have learned to be modest:
1) Being Modest While Dressing
Everyone should strive to be modest in their apparel. Say for instance that you are seeking to find the “love of your life.” Do you not want him to love you for you and your heart? Or do you want him to love you because so much of your cleavage is showing? Would it not suck so much if you fell in love with a guy who was with you because of your body?
Would you rather get the job promotion because you deserve it, or because you are making your boss lust? Wouldn't you rather be rewarded based on your real talents?
2) Being Modest Socially
Nobody likes that overly confident person who is self-centered and cares only about herself. Do not be that. Be modest. A modest person is more concerned with everyone than she is with herself.
Do not push your way to the top, step aside, do your part, and wait. Do not be boastful. Live a humble life that reflects how Christ wants us to live. Besides, the Bible says that those who are last will be first, right? Be modest. Let Christ shine through your actions.
In the end, I am not telling you to go to a thrift store and find you a dress that has sleeves down to your wrist and starts from your chin and goes down to the floor, nor am I saying to forget about yourself. I am simply saying that you should respect yourself in a manner that you would want other young girls and even your future children to admire. Let Christ be the center of your life and the glow from His love will radiate beauty through any and everything. Maybe a great life just might be that life that is modest. Maybe the best life is one lived truly letting Christ be the center of it all.
