By Sheree Craig
With the thousands of diet plans and self-help books in society, you would think we could reach a healthy physical and emotional state easily. So, why do 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness each year? With depression and anxiety on the rise, I would ask if the pressures from society are contributing to the increase. Society grabs hold of an idea, advertises only the benefits and deems the idea as the only solution.
Each year, goals are created around improving one’s image. The goals usually focus on the outside appearance, growth of bank accounts, and moving up in the world. Society influences our goals by setting a standard for acceptance. If you do not measure up to the standard, don’t even think about trying to be successful in this world. Crazy!
When we base our worth on the world’s standards, we end up with depression, anxiety, shame, guilt, addiction, etc.
When we base our worth on God’s standards, we end up with purpose and peace.
I must confess, in 2019, I measured my worth up against the world’s standards. I began a new job while still coping with the loss of my stress reliever – running. I had a surgery late 2018 that took away the ability to run. Running was my go-to when managing stress in life; therefore, stress continued but without an outlet.
I looked to the approval at work to feel worthy. I conformed to the standards created by employees. I worked diligently to lessen the load of employees. I walked out the door every evening measuring the day’s success against the reaction of employees. Day by day, my standards moved further away from God’s and closer to approval of others.
Guess where I ended up within months of living like this? Yep, depressed, anxious, shameful and searching for peace in all the wrong places. Triggered by the stress of never measuring up to the world’s standard, I began looking to outward appearance for acceptance. Eating Disorder thoughts crept in, tempting me to use old habits to handle disappointments.
I hit rock bottom. Sounds like a bad thing, right? Hitting rock bottom is exactly what I needed to get out of God’s way. All along, I tried to live each day on my terms. I planned the way I thought the day should look and pursued that vision. I would pray in the morning on the way to work, then live the day as if I were on my own.
Enough is enough! I took a hard look at the results received in living by the world’s wavering standards. I asked myself a question. . .
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 (Galatians 1:10).
Now, my friends, I must confess that this is not the first time in life I have presented this question to myself. I am weak in the area of people pleasing. I want to be accepted and deemed worthy in this world. I can easily get distracted in this world when multiple opinions, ideas of others, and harsh words enter my pathway. I am not suggesting we do not consider others’ ideas and accept their opinions; but, we cannot allow their opinions to change our beliefs, faith, or plan God created.
Though the enemy loves when our weakness is tested, God can use these moments to shine through brightly.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10).
In a dark moment, the whisper of God’s voice reminded me who I am. His hand reached out, held mine, and pulled me from the dark pit in which I sat.
He is there for you as well, dear friends. He will bring clarity to a situation. He will strengthen you as the world works to weaken you. He will exemplify a solid, unwavering standard to base every decision upon. He will provide peace among chaos and love that never ends. Read His Word daily and focus on the Truths He presents in each chapter. He deems you worthy. Search His Word for everlasting peace!
