It's no secret that this culture is sex-obsessed. You see billboards for fast food restaurants and it's a woman in little to no clothing holding a burger with a seductive look on her face. Kim Kardashian has become someone we admire. We envy Cardi B's body and the "fabulous life" she lives.

My question is: why? Why do we envy seductive women? Why do we want the life of women who have shown the world everything there is to see? This is not how it should be. We live in a world where porn is so accessible and commonplace that nobody finds it wrong, a world where women have to show off their bodies to exemplify power. Again, why? Why do we give the world this much power over us?

We are taught that the more you reveal, the more people will be attracted to you. Guys will want you and girls will want to be you. You'll get the attention of more guys. You'll get dates. You'll have things to do on the weekend. So, why not show the world everything there is to see about you? Because all that attention is nothing compared to the empty feelings and self-hatred you try to cover up with more parties and guys. The endless cycle sucks the life out of you, leaving only feelings of defeat and heartache.

The world tells us that we should wear as little clothing as we want and have as much sex as we want, just like guys, without developing any feelings. The world tells us that it "empowers" women, that being sexually aggressive gives us control and calls for more respect. I don't know what's more contradictory, saying that degrading yourself gives you more power or that taking off your clothes results in more respect.

We, as women, are made in a beautiful way with a specific purpose that God has bestowed upon us. We are called to call "man up." We are called to require more from this world. "The level of any civilization is always its level of its womanhood," Fulton J Sheen. This couldn't be truer. If you allow yourself to be used only for a man's pleasure then don't be surprised when he leaves once the pleasure is gone. If we desire more from men but don't express it, then we'll be disappointed.

So I challenge all you women reading this to start to living contrary to the world. There's a reason for the empty, depressing feelings you've experienced. There is more to life and relationships than just temporary pleasure and using each other. There are true happiness and authentic love waiting for you. Start by shifting your eyes above and start living for God. The lies of this world are plenty, but none that satisfy our deepest longing. Look up and listen.