"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more
abundantly." John 10:10b
Key Truths: A woman’s joy is not determined by her intellect, outward beauty,
circumstances, or features.
These things are actually not related to inward happiness at all! The women in the world who are
considered to be the most beautiful or the most intelligent are often the very ones who are the most unhappy and unfulfilled.
Just like most other people, they would like to change things about the way they were made.
God did not design an ideal outward appearance, and He does not want us to design one in our minds
and compare ourselves to it. God does have one universal ideal: the character of Jesus Christ. It is our
inward character and relationship with Jesus that will determine the measure of true joy in our lives.
CONCEPT TO THINK ABOUT:In some situations, God may sacrifice outward beauty in order to
develop inward character.
He does this because He knows that it is this inward character that will bring glory to Him and joy
and happiness to us. This is why God allows tragedies like accidents and birth defects. God makes it clear that it is inward
character that He values, not physical appearance or ability.
How is this truth revealed in Isaiah 40:29-31?
The devil attempts to limit our effectiveness for God’s Kingdom by tempting us to hate
ourselves and reject God’s design. "But indeed, O man, who are you to reply
against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, 'Why have you made
me like this?'" – Romans 9:20. The devil is the master of deception, and one of his biggest weapons is to convince us to believe
lies about ourselves and about God's relationship with us. If he can do this, he will have scored a great victory.
Satan hates how we are made in the image of God and that our bodies are the temple of the Holy
Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 3:16).
God has enabled me to yield the members of my body to Him and turn my members into
instruments of
righteousness. “… present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead,
and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” – Romans 6:13b.
How many ways can you recognize in which the world or the devil is trying to tempt women to reject
God’s design for them? List them.
Examine your own life to see if you are believing some of the enemy's lies in this area of design.
(Put a check beside any symptoms you find in your life.)
Over-attention to outward appearance.
Worrying about what other people will think about you.
Depression over defects and/or failures.
Envying what others have.
Shyness.
Not wanting to meet new people or try new things.
Mentally cutting yourself down.
Causes of self-rejection and truths to
combat them: (Look up the verses corresponding to each cause of
self-rejection, and list relevant insights.)
Comparing myself with other people or with an imagined ideal.
See 2 Corinthians 10:12.
Desiring the praise of people more than the praise of God.
See Galatians 1:10.
Thinking that my own strength, abilities, and talents determine the extent to which God can use me.
See John 15:5.
Focusing my goals and thoughts on outward appearance, achievement, etc., rather than on my
relationship with the Lord. See 1 Samuel 16:7 and Matthew 6:33.
Steps to conquer self-rejection:
Repent of self-rejection, ungratefulness, fear of man, and all other sins involved. Remember God's
promise in 1 John 1:9.
Accept how God made me (all physical features, abilities, life situation, etc.) and thank Him for
it.
Die to myself and dedicate my life to glorifying God no matter what people think.
Read John 12:24-25. How can these verses apply to my life?
Purpose to concentrate primarily on developing inward character rather than outward beauty. (Note:
this does not mean that neatness and personal care should be neglected!)
Dress to draw attention to a Godly countenance.
Take thoughts of self-rejection captive; arm yourself with applicable verses from the list above,
and use them to combat any thoughts of self-rejection.
Learn positive and Scriptural ways of dealing with “defects” in your life:
Specifically thank God for each of my defects.
List the possible benefits that God may want to accomplish through each “defect”.
Correct the defect if possible (i.e. glasses, braces, medication, treatments for skin or hair,
etc.)
Trust God to heal or continue the defect as He wills.
Look up the following
Scriptures and list insights and truths to apply from each one:
2 Corinthians 10:5
Matthew 5:1-16
1 Peter 3:4
Week 2 memory work: Choose at least one verse from the following list. Memorize the verse(s)
that you think will be the most helpful for you to remember.
2 Corinthians 10:12 John 15:5
Matthew 6:33 Matthew 5:16 1 Peter 3:14
Jenna and her family were visiting a new church when she first met “Miss Ideal”. The lady was
about twenty years old and had gorgeous blonde hair that curled just perfectly. Her clothes were so stylish and her fiance was so
cute! She looked confident and intelligent as she smiled and talked with all the popular people. Everyone seemed to know who she
was.
Jenna dreamed of being just like her one day. She tried to fix her hair the same way, but it
wouldn't curl. One day, she told herself, she would dye it blonde and get a perm. And then she would be just perfect. Do you think
Jenna is focusing on the right ideal? What should she be focusing on?
