Before You Follow That Trend
Trends think they are the ones who should rule us. Trends tell us what we should look like, how we should eat, what hobbies we should take on, or what success looks like. Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, is this trend even right for me?
Romans 12:2 ESV says:
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”.
Let’s break down this scripture:
“Conformed” means "to comply to standards; abide by; keep to. Behave accordingly to socially acceptable conventions or standards; be similar in form or type, agree."
When you conform to the ways of this world you are being like the world. You follow their standards, even if it may hurt you, whether emotionally, physically, or mentally.
But there’s hope if you find that you’re stuck following what the world says, you can be transformed. It starts by the renewal of your mind.
You start with your mind, with your thoughts. Conforming to the world started with constant meditation on certain things, chanting mantras like “I need to lose weight”, “I need to look like this celebrity”, or “I need to eat how everyone else is”.
The world’s beauty standard, dear, is not realistic. You can see in documentaries or studies that show women taking dangerous measures like surgeries and eating disorders in order to look like supermodels or celebrities. Why would God want to make you go through all this hurt and physical trauma when He created you? He does not make mistakes. Babe, you are beautiful the way you are.
“Transform” means "to make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character of."
When you are transformed by the renewal of your mind, you won’t be like the world, you won’t think like the world, and you won’t act like the world. You will be different, but you will be your true self. This transformation will show in different ways. It can be from you taking certain actions that you wouldn’t have before, like uplifting a person rather than criticizing them. It can show by what you choose to consume for entertainment, like movies or music.
“Testing” means "to take measures to check the quality, performance, or reliability of (something), especially before putting it into widespread use or practice."
I believe the testing stage can be used when you're interested in a certain trend. It's before you go hardcore, before making a final change, you can test it. If you’re interested in trying something new you can examine it first. One way of examining is by doing research, for instance, there might be a certain diet you’re interested in trying. Before starting a new diet you would plan out a grocery haul, read articles or books on the effects of certain food, study proper food portions, etc.
What's great about this stage is you can also include others on this change you want to pursue. You get to ask for advice from people with different points of views, people you can trust have your best interest in mind. Who know you and love you.
The world may be crying out: this is the way, this is what will work; but if you’re getting another feeling inside, then that is discernment, that is Holy Spirit talking. It might be disappointing at first if it’s not the answer you were hoping for, but it’s just stepping you closer to what is best for you. God knows what works best for you. You hear that? The best, just for you.
It can seem harmless at first to follow a trend. There are countless options and choices to make that we need to make wiser decisions, thoughtful ones that are not ruled by what everybody says is right for us. They don’t even know you, what gives them to right to say it’s what you should be doing?
I followed the voices of many recently that led to a horrible reaction on my skin. After reading books, articles, and listening to podcasts on women who needed to make a change to all natural products I swiftly made the same changes. I didn’t ask anyone for their opinion, I did not ask a doctor, I did not pray about it, I just did it.
For some of the swaps it caused major skin reactions, and some plainly did not work for me. Even when these things happened to me I continued to use the products, telling my body you will conform to this! Thankfully my husband just had to tell me it’s ok to stop using these products and switch back to what works for me. I am not like those women who needed to make the change, they followed the advice of doctors, I on the other hand was following the voices of many who weren’t intending to speak directly to me.
This is a small example but that’s how much this scripture should relate to our lives. We should consider all aspects of our choices and see if we are conforming to what society says or are we being directed by the Holy Spirit, thus making better changes in our lives with God’s perfect will for us?
Is the Holy Spirit convicting you or are you listening to what the world says? He cares about everything in our lives and the way we live it, nothing is too small to ask about.
What God has for us is good, acceptable, and His perfect will. That shines more to me than anything this world has to offer.
Let’s break down this scripture:
“Conformed” means "to comply to standards; abide by; keep to. Behave accordingly to socially acceptable conventions or standards; be similar in form or type, agree."
But there’s hope if you find that you’re stuck following what the world says, you can be transformed. It starts by the renewal of your mind.
You start with your mind, with your thoughts. Conforming to the world started with constant meditation on certain things, chanting mantras like “I need to lose weight”, “I need to look like this celebrity”, or “I need to eat how everyone else is”.
The world’s beauty standard, dear, is not realistic. You can see in documentaries or studies that show women taking dangerous measures like surgeries and eating disorders in order to look like supermodels or celebrities. Why would God want to make you go through all this hurt and physical trauma when He created you? He does not make mistakes. Babe, you are beautiful the way you are.
“Transform” means "to make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character of."
When you are transformed by the renewal of your mind, you won’t be like the world, you won’t think like the world, and you won’t act like the world. You will be different, but you will be your true self. This transformation will show in different ways. It can be from you taking certain actions that you wouldn’t have before, like uplifting a person rather than criticizing them. It can show by what you choose to consume for entertainment, like movies or music.
“Testing” means "to take measures to check the quality, performance, or reliability of (something), especially before putting it into widespread use or practice."
I believe the testing stage can be used when you're interested in a certain trend. It's before you go hardcore, before making a final change, you can test it. If you’re interested in trying something new you can examine it first. One way of examining is by doing research, for instance, there might be a certain diet you’re interested in trying. Before starting a new diet you would plan out a grocery haul, read articles or books on the effects of certain food, study proper food portions, etc.
What's great about this stage is you can also include others on this change you want to pursue. You get to ask for advice from people with different points of views, people you can trust have your best interest in mind. Who know you and love you.
It can seem harmless at first to follow a trend. There are countless options and choices to make that we need to make wiser decisions, thoughtful ones that are not ruled by what everybody says is right for us. They don’t even know you, what gives them to right to say it’s what you should be doing?
I followed the voices of many recently that led to a horrible reaction on my skin. After reading books, articles, and listening to podcasts on women who needed to make a change to all natural products I swiftly made the same changes. I didn’t ask anyone for their opinion, I did not ask a doctor, I did not pray about it, I just did it.
For some of the swaps it caused major skin reactions, and some plainly did not work for me. Even when these things happened to me I continued to use the products, telling my body you will conform to this! Thankfully my husband just had to tell me it’s ok to stop using these products and switch back to what works for me. I am not like those women who needed to make the change, they followed the advice of doctors, I on the other hand was following the voices of many who weren’t intending to speak directly to me.
This is a small example but that’s how much this scripture should relate to our lives. We should consider all aspects of our choices and see if we are conforming to what society says or are we being directed by the Holy Spirit, thus making better changes in our lives with God’s perfect will for us?
Is the Holy Spirit convicting you or are you listening to what the world says? He cares about everything in our lives and the way we live it, nothing is too small to ask about.
What God has for us is good, acceptable, and His perfect will. That shines more to me than anything this world has to offer.
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