It's very hard for some people to believe that there are several messages instilled into them through the media throughout their lives. One of the oldest messages in the book is to try and get people to envy the looks of others and want to be someone you're not. This message always hits hardest to people around my age group of teenagers.
I could go down a whole list of messages that are designed to conform us, that many of us have become blind to. Namely, the message of envying celebrities looks or wanting to change who you are has stood out to me the most lately.Ever since sin has entered the world, it has been the Devil's goal to achieve the complete opposite of what God has intended for the world. Even down to the simple things like loving the body that you were created in.
I'm sure that there is only a small percentage (if there is one at all) of people who are 100 percent happy with how they look and who they are. The particular message of needing to look like this or that had really gotten to me for a while. But then I finally recognized something: if I try and chase after obtaining that "socially acceptable" look, I'll be running forever because what's "in" now won't be "in" sooner or later. Also, why am I letting someone else control what I want to be and look like when their opinion has no relevance to my life?
See? If you really sit down and think about it, you'll realize fitting into a certain mold is not that important. You'll also see that the more we give in to trying to conform our looks to what's "popular," the more we feed these magazine writers with articles about who has the sexiest summer body, or we allow these TV producers to make episodes about a guy dumping a girl because she isn't "pretty" enough.
I've said it once and I'll say it again: we have to stop blaming society for the kind of world we live in when we are the society that created the world we live in. We tell girls that it's all right if they're not curvy or tall or we tell guys that it's okay if they don't have abs of steel, but then next thing you know we're praising a celebrity for having a big butt or biceps that are bigger than my whole body.
The next time you're watching television or listening to music, don't just be a lifeless drone. Wake up and pay attention the messages being conveyed. Sometimes it's not in plain sight for you to see the doubt and lies that are being planted. That's why it's important to be aware of the agenda so that no matter what subliminal messages the world tries to sneak in, you already know the truth for yourself.
"Do not let your adorning be external — the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear — but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious" (I Peter 3:3-4).