Hey Friends,

Happy Thursday!

Thank you to everyone who entered my blog birthday giveaway. I was thrilled to read each comment – thanks for making my first giveaway a success. I wish I could give each and every one of you a copy of my E-Book! I have chosen three winners to receive a copy of the Radiant Modesty E-Book, and they will be announced at the end of this post.

During the preparation for my E-Book, I read a lot of things relating to the topic of modesty– and since then I have learned even more! I am continually finding things (or thinking of things) that I want to share with you! However, today I want to share a little bit about my own personal struggle with modesty during my teen years. Modesty has not always been the easy choice for me.

My Personal Struggle With Modesty

As a teen girl, I didn’t always realize how much modesty matters, but as I continue to read about this topic (I’m becoming increasingly passionate about it!) I am convinced that modesty matters a great deal more than most of us realize!

Modesty not only pleases the Lord, it openly reveals the character of our heart. Modesty is primarily a heart issue.

As a teenager, there were times of struggling and fighting this issue in my heart because there were articles of clothing I wanted to wear. There were times when my mom would tell me I was not allowed to wear or buy a certain article of clothing, and inwardly I would feel frustrated and sometimes angry. Many times (especially during shopping trips) choosing modesty felt so hard.

I remember seeing and liking various fashions and styles on Pinterest and Instagram and I wanted to follow those trends. Many of them were “modest” in terms of covering the chest and thighs but they were form-fitting and sexy looking. (Unfortunately many of today’s “modest fashion” trends are still sensual and not necessarily modest!)

Deep down inside I knew these outfits were not modest but they looked attractive and stylish. So, I shrugged off some of those feelings and desired to wear them anyway.

Looking back, I realize those desires and my subsequent attitudes toward fashion and clothing were not just innocent desires, but rather little roots of rebellion towards what I knew was right.

From what I can remember, I never wore anything extremely brazen or immodest (my wise and discerning parents that would never have allowed that!) but I definitely wore some things that were borderline.

Instead of asking the Lord, “what can I wear so that I will be unquestionably modest?” there were times when I chose to be fashionable and stylish instead of absolutely modest.

I was choosing the styles and fashions of the world instead of modesty.

But God got a hold of my heart and I am so glad He did!

God used a summer away at a camp and some very godly people to help me see that my heart attitudes towards clothing and fashion needed to change! He opened my eyes to the fact that I was beginning to love the world and I was allowing the world’s idea of modesty to define my own idea of modesty.  It’s God’s opinion of modesty that matters most!

Needless to say, that summer away at camp caused a big shift in my thinking.

Since that summer, God has been teaching me even more about this topic. Growing up, my mom was always the biggest “champion” of modesty in my life. Now my husband has challenged and encouraged me along the way (both before and after we got married). Adam was one of the first ones to open my eyes to the sensual appeal of many modern styles and fashions that most Christians adopt without thinking. I am so grateful for a godly husband who is wise and discerning in this area!

Looking back, I am amazed at how the Lord has changed my heart and turned a struggle with modesty, into something I’m incredibly passionate to share with others. If it weren’t for my mom, or going to camp that summer, or marrying a godly husband, my opinion of modesty could be much different today.

I am just so thankful that the Lord got a hold of my heart when He did. Now He is allowing me to share my passion and convictions about modesty with all of you! God is so good!

This does not mean that choosing modesty is always easy for me. It is still hard at times.

But now I know without a doubt, that my efforts to dress modestly are not in vain! God is pleased when we clothe ourselves in modest apparel and seek His approval above all else!

“In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. ” 1 Timothy 2:9-10

“Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life.” Philippians 2:14-16

Do You Have Questions About Modesty?

As a teenager, the most common struggles for me had to do with clothing, modesty, and appearance in general. Obviously, this is a common struggle for women and young women alike. It’s logical for me to assume that you have lots of questions about modesty and dress as well, especially with all the posts I have been sharing about this topic!

So, here’s what we are going to do.

I want to hear all of your questions about modesty, dress, and appearance. I will take the time to answer as many of your questions as I can in next Thursday’s blog post. Any/all questions are welcome, as long as they are polite and appropriate. I don’t wish to debate any controversial topics, I just wish to answer any questions you may have about modesty.

Please submit your questions via the contact page right here. Please put “modesty question” in the subject line so I don’t miss your questions!

I am really excited to hear your questions, and even more excited to answer them for you!

Giveaway Winners!

And now to announce the winners of my blog birthday giveaway!

Thank you again to everyone who entered the giveaway. I was thrilled to hear your responses.  It was really hard to just pick three winners, but the three lovely ladies who won a free copy are…

Kathleen Rast

Leona Ruth

Andrea

Congratulations ladies, and thank you for entering! I will be sending you a copy of your E-Book sometime today.

For those of you who did not win a copy, pease feel free to use the coupon code: NEWFRIEND for a discount of 30% off!

Before You Go…

Take some time to catch up on this months posts about modesty:

• My Favorite Books on Modesty
• The Radiant Modesty E-Book is Here!
• Three Reasons Why Modesty Matters Today
• How to Dress Modestly in the Summer
• Four Reasons Why I Don’t Wear Pants
• Mondays, Modesty, and a Blog Birthday Giveaway!

Now, go send me your modesty questions right here!

See you on Monday!