Button Inadequacy comes to all of us, irregardless of our Body Mass Index. We catch a glimpse of ourselves in the department store dressing room, a friend posts a picture of us on social media that we think is less than flattering, or we look in the mirror in the morning and instead of seeing the beautiful woman that others see, we focus on our sagging neck, double chin, or pregnant looking belly.
When I first started my Button Journey, I walked on my lunch hour at work in a strip mall parking lot. As I huffed and hobbled along, I could see my image in the reflection of the department store windows and over and over again would tell myself that I looked as ridiculous as an elephant trying to ride a bicycle. That was Button Inadequacy at it’s height, and had it not been for God’s under-girding, and the tremendous support of my Button Buddies I would have given up.
Yes, Button Inadequacy is real, and if left unchecked, can eat away at the core of our being like so many terminates in an oak tree.
“We enslave in the manner we talk to ourselves. But the truth is, God already set us free. He secured our release. To constantly hurt ourselves, resting in our inadequacy, is to call Him a liar.”
― Mary E. DeMuth, Wall Around Your Heart
Button Inadequacy can cause us to compare ourselves to others.To see how we measure up against their beauty, their brains, their brawn. We see and admire other women’s unique place in the world, and we condemn ourselves for not being more like them. Sadly, Button Inadequacy can cause us to sink to such a deep place that we secretly accuse God for not making us prettier, smarter, stronger.
What’s really ironic is that just as we look at others and struggle with Button Inadequacy, so too others look at us and do the same. And this phenomenon isn’t just unique to those of us who want to lose weight.Skinny girls tell me they can struggle with many of the same Button Inadequacy’s as we do.
This is my friend Ruth, I love the way her eyes dance when she smiles. I see such beauty in her
This is my friend, Amanjit. She has a kind word to say about everyone.
Overweight Glasses
Seeing through overweight glasses, is when we see ourselves through our fat, our figure, our dress size, or some other physical feature that we condemn ourselves for. It means that somewhere along the way, we bought into the lie, that our value is determined by our body image.
These are some of my beautiful friends whose glow in the Holy Ghost shines so very bright!
If you struggle with inadequacy, do what I did this week:
Confess it to God.
Remind yourself (out-loud) of God’s affirming promises.
Reach out to a trusted friend and talk to them about it.. but not in a poor me, wimpy kind of way, but rather in a , “I have recognized this weakness in me, and need a word of encouragement.”
And then look around you to see who you can share this post with and say:
“I doubt you ever deal with Button Inadequacy, but I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you that I admire your beauty, and am so grateful to have the blessing of you in my life.”
Hi,
My name is Debbie. I loved watching sister Debbie on her button mission. She has encouraged me to start a journey as well. I need encouragement to walk and stay away from sweets. I am excited.
Yesterday was the perfect day for you to talk to me about, the button journey. I have so needed something to give me even a little push back into the right direction. God is glorious and does have perfect timing. Blessings to all of us beautiful women, no matter what type of buttons we are seeking.
Susan! What a glorious comment! I love, love, LOVE your words: “Blessings to all of us beautiful women, no matter what type of buttons we are seeking.” How profound! How encouraging! Thank-you for commenting!