The Images Before Us
Do you ever just feel bombarded by images? Images that aren’t bad, but seem to leave you feeling in a funk? Ever since I have started reading blogs, causally perusing Pintrest and even doing more online shopping (for clients) I find my mind filled with the ideal. Filled with staged shots. Images that aren’t reality. Images that leave me feeling wanting.
Like I came across this kitchen last night while hopping from one blog to the next. My ideal kitchen.
Wait, just a few months ago, I remember blogging about how I was so blessed to have a kitchen I love. Oh yeah.
This is just one silly example. I could list 1,000. I let an insane amount of images into my mind and before I know it starts to affect my contentment. I recently read Beth Moore’s So Long Insecurity and it had me really thinking about this area. In regards to what we as women are currently battling against in our culture, Moore says,
“Most of our great-great-grandmothers had access to compare themselves to a few hundred women in their lifetime. We can now throw ourselves up against tens of thousands if we are willing-and apparently most of us are. We’ve got travel, television, the internet, magazines, books, billboards, movies, storefronts, advertisements, camera, videophones, texting, sexting and twittering. We’d better step it up if we want to compete…”
She goes on to say, “the primary point, however, is that we no longer feel inferior to 10 women the way our great-grandmothers might have. We feel inferior to thousands.”
Exactly Beth! And deep down, we know comparing ourselves is pointless (however we are constantly tempted to do so) but we also compare our realities to the ideals presented to us in magazines, blogs, Pinterest etc…and we start to “feel inferior to thousands.”
There are some real root issues here. We as women need to work through our insecurities and our propensity to compare oursleves to others. I feel like one way we can help alleviate some of these feelings is to evaluate the images we are putting before us.
I am starting to do this.
What benefit is there in my looking at 1,000 kitchens I love if I have no plans to re-do a kitchen I already really like?
Just some raw thoughts. Not all neatly wrapped up, what are your raw thoughts?
Would love to hear from you.
Amanda- What a woman you are!! Love the truth you just spoke that bombards all of us. Thanks for your transparency. This is a great reminder how powerful images and comparisons can be in our life and also how important taking the small step to remove some of those can lead to freedom!!
Thanks Tam. Yes! small steps can lead to major victory! Thanks friend.
Yep! Completely agree. This is definitely a battle I think about and fight against. This is part of the reason I hardly blog anymore. When I do blog, I get sucked into reading the million other blogs out there, and it can become so discouraging. Like your previous post talked about, for me it also spurs on jealousy. :( It's ridiculous and frustrating how much the enemy can attack us and steal our joy through these things. I've definitely learned the art of, "out of sight, out of mind," when it comes to blogs/pinterest.
We are so blessed with what we already have! Our treasures are in heaven! As a Christian, I've been convicted that I should be encouraging others to build treasures in heaven more than a new kitchen or awesome pillows (preaching to myself here!). I'm sure this could be debated on, but If I've given myself a platform (a blog) and I'm sharing my house more than my God, am I really doing a service to people? This is something I personally wrestle with when it comes to my own blog. Thanks for sharing and gettin real girl!! :)
I agree! I have the same battle at times. I kno the Lord desires for us to ejnoy our homes and making them beautiful..but he also asks us to make him our first love. Sometimes I think I can get a little turned around.
Are you reading my mail? I can totally relate…Melanie, thanks for your comment as well… I know this will set in my heart today and challenge some priorities.
Chrystal..I am glad you can relate. I know I am not wrong in my love of design and great kitchens, just need to figure out how all this fits into my life priorities.
That's the thing…to find balance and keep perspective. Easier said than done! I am realizing I can too often miss truly and fully enjoying whats right in front of me while holding out for the ideal…whether thats the ideal decorating solution, ideal family time, etc. That's just silly.
I've been thinking about this a lot lately as we prepare to move overseas and I start comparing where I will be living or what I will have to what I could have here in the States. It totally is something Satan uses to make me discontent, and I have to realize how ridiculous it is to care so much about these earthly things around me, to make them such a priority. Thanks so much for the reminder!
Yes! Such a temptation. I have always struggled with the ideal vs the reality. I know this will manifest itself in different ways. So excited for you!!!
Good word. I constantly think about how the internet/social media affect us. This is such good food for thought. Thanks Amanda!!