New Clothes!

S

(1 Timothy 2:8-10) I desire that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control ... with good works.

O

"Likewise" is a key word here: what God said (through Paul) to one sex applied equally to the other sex. The Holy Spirit longs to adorn each of us in beautiful, practical clothes. He uses a clothes metaphor to describe His longing to beautify us through His well-designed, good works: our works, like good clothes, should be respectable (our inner goodness fits well and is obvious to observers). They should also be modest (we value goodness because it is good, regardless of whether we or others always meet that standard).

A (Personal)

I love clothes that fit well, that comfort and protect my body, that are appropriate for whatever my present activity is. The right clothes make me feel good whether I'm hiking, swimming, working, or sleeping. So, too, doing good, comforting others, choosing the right thing--all of that makes me feel good and look good (at least to people with good discernment).

A (Psychological)

Adlerian goals of psychotherapy is intended to help clients redirect their naturally selfish, self-absorbed and compensatory strivings and goals toward socially useful, self-enhancing values. Prochaska and Norcross describe it this way: "The paradox of self esteem is that it vanishes as a problem when people are encouraged to forget themselves and begin living for others. A solid sense of self-esteem can be created only by creating a style of life that is of value to the world. Live a life that affirms the value of fellow human beings, and the unintended consequence will be the creation of a self that is worthy of the highest esteem. Those who would be free from pathology must have the strength to carry the double burden of both personal and social responsibility" (Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis. 2003. pp. 76-77).

P

Lord, I'd never thought of You as my tailor, but the wardrobe You give me each day fits me perfectly. Each piece is awesome! Not only am I perfectly outfitted, they work together to help me look like You: gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Thank You! (Joel 2:13; Revelation 19:8; Isaiah 61:10; Ephesians 6:10; Psalms 93:1; 104:1; 132:9,18).