To Be or not to Be Submissive?

For those who are familiar with the Bible, a quick way to stir up controversy among women is to bring up the topic of submission. The most famous Bible text regarding this (Ephesians 5:22) states: “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.” The quoting of this text often incites swift responses such as, “I’m not going to let a man walk over me!” or “This doesn’t apply anymore! It’s the 21^st century!” These reactions are usually heated and emotional, but the passion behind them doesn’t necessarily mean that they are in line with sound reasoning. Learning the art of submission is essential in every woman’s path to becoming her ideal lady.

Submission is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary as, “The state of being submissive or compliant; meekness.” Being submissive is important in healthy relationships because concessions are often more effective in gaining and maintaining peace than compromise. With a compromise, nobody is happy. With a concession, one person is pleased to receive, and the other, to give. Submission is a great gift that adds health to every relationship. However, it surely has its limits. Submission is not meant for a woman to endure any abuse. In the same way the Bible encourages women to submit to their husbands, it also encourages husbands to love their wives as themselves, even to the point of death. There is no way abuse falls within these guidelines. Submission is not an order for women to be “door mats” for people to walk on.

Most importantly, submission is not only useful within the confines of a marriage, but also extremely helpful in other settings.  Submission can be less defined as weakness and more as humility. Humility will take you far in school, at work, and in friendships. No ideal woman can exist without a great measure of humility. Those who humble themselves will eventually be elevated. I encourage you to embrace your submissive side, and take notice of the results you will reap. Your personal, academic, and professional lives will likely be much more peaceful once you add a little humility to your demeanor. Now you’re one step closer to your ideal self!

Tags: being submissive, ideal woman, meaning of submission, submission, submissive women, topic of submission

Carrying Your Faith in a Bag

For many women of faith, there is a major struggle with sharing the good news. For some of us, the issue simply stems from indifference. For others, there is a desire to share one’s faith, but fear of rejection may hold us back. This issue is even more magnified for those who attend public schools, where believers may feel alone or lack sufficient support system to carry them through hard times.

Many people, both men and women, are silent about their beliefs due to mere nonchalance or fear of rebuff. We place our faith in a bag so that people cannot tell what it is when they look at it. We fear that if others identify it, they may judge or view us differently. 

Although very difficult many, including myself, have found that the best way to share one’s faith is to live it. People would rather see a message lived out than preached. When we go shopping, are we most proud when we carry our new clothes in the shopping bag or when we wear it? We should wear our faith with pride, as though it were beautiful new clothes.

Living out your faith naturally communicates your virtues to everyone you meet. After all, as an ideal woman, it is important to be an excellent beacon of light to those around you. This not only causes you to become a blessing to others but you experience that yourself!

Tags: faith, ideal woman, virtues

An Ideal Sense of Style

What defines an ideal sense of style?  Who defines an ideal sense of style?  Have you ever seen a woman in an outfit that you thought was ugly or right on point?  By now I hope you have caught on to the notion that an ideal sense of style is determined by each woman.  The type of style that any woman decides to model should ultimately be left up to her.  Yes, there is a place and time for suggestions, but that should not be the final say; women are entitled to what they want to wear and how they want to look.

This, however, does not mean any and everything is appropriate for different occasions.  For example, what you would wear to a job interview should be different than what you would wear out to dinner.  I am not suggesting that you cannot incorporate your personal style into your everyday look.  Instead, you must know how to tactfully blend it with the appropriate style for that specific occasion.  For instance, there are certain functions at which you do not want to appear either under or overdressed. But there is always a way to twist a style and make it as unique as yourself.

In essence, there is no ideal sense of style.  Just like there is an ideal woman in every woman, every woman also has an ideal sense of style.  The flare and flavor of each individualistic style is one of the things that make women very unique.  My prayer for every woman is to be proud of her individual style.  Do not be afraid to try out new things and explore other possibilities; what is the worst that could happen?  If you happen to not like the new things you try, it is ok.  Keep your individualistic ideal sense of style alive.

Tags: ideal sense of style, ideal woman, individuality, personal style