Is it just me, or does Pinterest make you feel pretty inferior? I remember the old days, you know, like two years ago, when we could simply pull up a tutorial on how to hang Christmas garland or Google a recipe for “The Best Tasting Sugar Cookie”. Now, those same searches take us to pages and pages of professionally decorated homes and trays of homemade cookies, way prettier than I could ever imagine myself making!
I used to think I was a pretty efficient homemaker. Not anymore. Now I look through pages of pins, and I “covet” the ability to do more, and do it better.
There’s this pressure I put on myself, especially around Christmas. Every year I tell myself, “Don’t over-do it. Remember the REAL meaning of Christmas.” But every year I find that I’m forcing myself into doing more than I need to.
Where does this feeling of inadequacy come from? Probably not only from Pinterest, although I stand firm in my belief that this site helps create a sense of inferiority. I think most of those feelings of inadequacy are directly from the enemy! He has our number, ladies! He sees how we stress out over the little things. He sees how we long to be…. Perfect. And he plays on that longing.
If you’re like me, and find yourself struggling with these thoughts of inferiority in our longing to be perfect, God’s Word can be our refuge! We can turn to scripture to find truth and wisdom. For whom am I trying to appear perfect, God or man?
Galatians 1:10:
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
Let’s look at the Fruits of the Spirit. I know that I can put so much pressure on myself during the holidays that I end up feeling sick! I don’t even have enough left in me to enjoy everything I’ve worked so hard to accomplish! Is that what God wants? Chances are, if we aren’t experiencing these Fruits of the Spirit, then our lives, or the pressure we put on ourselves to be “better than…”, is not something God wants for us.
Galatians 5:22-23:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Is your self-worth tied to what others think of you? How do you fight against those feelings of inadequacy?
Lisa Strnad is a weekly contributor to the What’s in the Bible and JellyTelly blogs. She is a homeschooling mom of two, who works independent contractor in Christian media as a writer, marketing consultant, and public relations specialist. She speaks to Christian women’s groups on the issues of motherhood, home schooling and raising a child with special needs. Lisa and her family make their home in Nashville. Her blog, Talking Like A Girl, is currently being restructured.
