On Modesty. Again.

I've read lots of hype over a couple of (opposing) posts about modesty. Aaaaaaand, here we go again. If you missed my two cents about modesty from before, you can find that here.

I'm back on my soapbox, and you get to enjoy it today. I've seen so many perceptions of modesty that are simply inaccurate. Contrary to popular belief, modesty is not for others' protection. It is for me, and it is for my Father in Heaven. And it's necessary.

Why?

Because I made a promise to myself and to God that I would ignore the ways of the world, and that I would seek after "anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy."

Because it allows me to dress in ways that make me feel confident and comfortable, no matter what situation I am in.

Because I know that my worth is not defined in the clothes I wear, but that I have a purpose and innate worth.

Flashback to the middle and high school years, which is (whether you think so or not) still a huge reality that needs to be dealt with. I felt immense pressure to be attractive and to feel accepted. I chose clothes that matched these desires. I wore short-shorts, low-cut tops, and skimpy bikinis because I wanted the attention.

Of course I don't think that every girl chooses her wardrobe for the same reasons I did, but I do know that high school is a confusing time when being "hot" is all that seems to matter.

Today, I choose my clothes based on the morals and standards that I have set for myself. I don't wear short-shorts because my body deserves to be treated like a temple.

Regardless of the standards you have set for your own life, allow others to choose for themselves what standard they want to live by. Without criticism.

Courage.

I am at a weird point in my life that I never realized was coming. My schooling is almost over, and I am still unsure of what I will be doing after June. The question of what is next? seems to haunt my thoughts, and my fear of the future is more real than ever. 

My feelings seem to be the hardest part to control, and I find myself struggling to remember "the plan". I feel sort of small and really, really lost because the pressure of my future is coming into view more rapidly than I feel competent to handle. Even when I feel like I know what I should do, there is a wrench thrown into my plan and I am cornered again.

I think Satan is really working hard to diminish my self-esteem, and to be honest, it has been working. I feel drained. I feel incompetent. I feel lonely.

But today, I take comfort in knowing that I can put my trust in the Lord and follow His plan for me as best as I can. Courage is needed to move forward in life, and having faith in the Lord to follow through is what will guide me during these hard times.