I once came across an image of two little girls looking down at a bathroom scale. This was the caption:
“Don’t step on it. It makes you cry.”
Troubling.
Indeed, as a child, I had my own painful association it. There was once a time when I only saw a weird square in our bathroom. I didn’t give it much attention; I was more interested in the blue windmill stencil designs lining the tub and my rubber ducky. It was just a square, taking up space.
However, suddenly, Mom placed me on this square – and I became conscious of what I weighed. Apparently, it wasn’t a good digit as, with more frequency, I needed to get on this square. Now, suddenly, I had a “weight problem.”
And ever since, I no longer see just a square.
Throughout my childhood and adolescence, it dictated my worth, which was never good enough, always too big and always too heavy.
That drove me to eating disorders, with the hope as I became more punishing of myself, more “dedicated,” well, then my two-digit weight as a young adult would mean triumph. It, however, never really did become that reality, of course. Because, I could always lose more weight and somehow, magically, “be better.”
On and on and on I went, into my own hell…
It’s incredible what we think of this square. It’s supercharged with value, guilt, fear, loathing and importance. A staple in so many homes, it yells at us to think less of ourselves.
Right this second, in many a bathroom, there are people, of all ages, of both genders and from all walks of life who are subjecting themselves to a cruel verdict. Depending upon the numbers which appears, many will decide if they are worthwhile…or worthless.
We give it that power.
We don’t have to, however. We could choose to give something else power in determining our value: God’s Word.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8
What if we measured ourselves by the following?
“Behold, thou art fair, my love; behold, thou art fair; thou hast doves’ eyes.” Song of Solomon 1:15
“O my dove…let me see your form…for your form is lovely.” Song of Solomon 2:14
“Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.” Song of Solomon 4:7
God created our steps for far better things than to settle for what this square device tells us!
The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Psalms 37:2
What if we stepped into these scriptures instead?