LOOKING BEYOND

FLAWLESSNESS BEGINS WITHIN.

Fashion is more than just about the clothing you wear. Anyone can wear a dress, but it's the woman in the dress that makes it stand out. Today I want to talk about going beyond what you wear; I want to speak about the wearer, YOU!

Ladies! Though you may be slaying that outfit or makeup when was the last time you paused and took a really good look at yourself in the mirror? When was the last time you did a heart check? We live in a culture that can be consumed with only what we can see that we aren't willing to look beyond.

How many are walking around looking like we're put together, but on the inside, we're broken? We have insecurities, hurt, and self-esteem issues that we keep hidden behind our fake smiles. What is the point of living if it's not authentically? We have to take our focus off of our outward appearance from time to time and check ourselves. You are more than what you wear! External things are not the source of your validation; the amount of likes you get from a post does not validate your value, intellect, or worth. When the end of the day comes, you take off the makeup and look in the mirror barefaced; who are you left with? Are you still the same person?

As much as we invest in buying new outfits and getting our hair and nails done, we are also worth being invested inwardly. But many times, we try to find quick fixes that will make our lives more convenient, for example:

• Trying to lose weight only to gain 10 more pounds
• Trying to deal with our anger in our own strength only to blow up on someone we care about.
• Trying to guard our heart only to be once again in a toxic relationship.

But what if I was to tell you that if we were willing to go a little deeper, we might realize that eating healthy and working out instead of taking another quick diet fix can keep the weight off. Talking to a counselor to help find those trigger points can bring revelation and healing. Knowing our worth and setting healthy boundaries can help keep toxic people at bay.

Let’s dig a little deeper than that, what about your spiritual life? How many of us put on a religious façade hoping that will to make up for our inward mess?

• Complete my Christian quota by going to church, singing the songs, listening to the sermons.
• Judge and point fingers at others so no one will look at my mess.
• Strive to act and be perfect (Having a form of godliness).

But what does going deeper even look like spiritually? Here are few practical tips that's' helped me along my journey:

• Pray honestly to God like talking to your bestie.
• Reach out to someone spiritually mature to talk to. (This was a challenge)
• Surrounding yourself with authentic people that would be honest with you and love you with no judgement.
• Start really reading God’s word like your life depended on it.
• Take it one day at a time.

You may walk into a room and have everyone checking you out, but let it not be just for what you're wearing or how you're wearing it. Instead, let it be for the power, the confidence, and the beautiful spirit shining from within. "Beauty is fleeting," your character will always outlast your outward appearance. Being a woman that stands out from the rest will require many adjustments, one being that you can't be fake. Being authentic will require vulnerability and looking beyond the surface.

I am not writing cliché words here ladies, what you just read was part of my testimony. I don't stand out because of what I wear; I stand out because I know who I am and who my God is. Let's all strive to go beyond the surface, invest in yourself inwardly, and help the next person do the same.

"...God doesn’t look at things like humans do. Humans see only what is visible to the eyes, but the Lord sees into the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7b)

Be encouraged and Be empowered - Makli Brand