Confidence That Lasts — Rooted in Faith, Not Comparison

A gentle, faith-filled reminder that your confidence doesn’t come from looking younger — it comes from who God says you are. If you’ve ever caught yourself comparing your skin, your face, your body, or your life to someone else’s… you’re so not alone. As women over 40, comparison can sneak up on us in the quiet moments — in the mirror, online, or even in our memories of who we “used to be.” But confidence — the real, lasting kind — grows when we stop staring at what’s fading and start seeing what God is growing in us.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:04):
Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of our podcast,
Slow Beauty, Skincare and Self Care for Women forty plus.
I'm your host, Carrie Sharf. Today we're diving into a
topic that's often overlooked yet impacts many women over forty
the quiet, sneaky kind of comparison, you know, those little
thoughts and feelings that creep in when we least expect them.

(00:26):
But before we begin, let's set a gentle, peaceful tone,
take a moment to relax, and let's take a soft,
slow breath together. You know, I had a pretty honest
moment this week that truly shifted my perspective. It all
started when I found myself standing in front of the mirror,
inspecting every little detail of my face. Maybe you've done

(00:47):
this too, just looking a bit too closely and noticing
all the tiny flaws that no one else would likely see.
Crow's feet here, a new wrinkle there, And before I
knew it, I was going down an unkind spiral of
co co Harrison. I started thinking about how I didn't
look as youthful as so and so, or how those
new lines surely made me look tired. It wasn't just unfair,

(01:09):
It was downright mean. And that's when I got a
bit of a spiritual nudge. It was like a gentle
whisper reminding me you're searching for flaws I never asked
you to find. Wow, did that hit me hard? It
made me realize how much time and energy I was
wasting on being my own worst critic. This gentle nudge
shifted my focus from criticism to kindness. Instead of being

(01:31):
a detective of my perceived shortcomings, I decided to be
a bit more compassionate with myself. It's important to remember
that being gentle with ourselves isn't just about skin care
or self care rituals. It's about how we talk to
ourselves and perceive ourselves every single day. So next time
you find yourself scrutinizing that mirror, take a step back
and remind yourself to look with kinder eyes. In moments

(01:55):
like these, it's so helpful to turn to some powerful
reminders from our faith. Let's look at Psalm one hundred
and thirty nine fourteen, which says, I praise you because
I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful.
I know that full well. This verse reminds us that
Our worth is inherent because we are made by a
wonderful creator. We are wonderfully made just as we are.

(02:18):
Then there's Isaiah forty six to four, even to your
old age and gray hairs. I am he. I am
he who will sustain you. I have made you, and
I will carry you. I will sustain you, and I
will rescue you. This is a beautiful reassurance that God's
care and sustenance for us never fade, no matter our

(02:39):
age or how we feel about our appearance. Lastly, let's
reflect on Ephesians two ten. For we are God's handiwork
created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God
prepared in advance for us to do. Here, we're reminded
that our purpose and value are rooted in who we
belong to, not in how we look. We are created

(03:01):
with a purpose that goes far beyond our outward appearance.
So I encourage you to shift your focus upward, both
literally and spiritually. When those sneaky thoughts of comparison start
to creep in, look up and remember who you belong to.
Let these verses soak into your heart and mind. Embrace
the truth that your worth comes from being a beloved
creation of God, not from any fleeting standards of beauty.

(03:24):
And that's a wrap for this segment. Next, I'll share
some practical tips on how to cultivate this spiritual confidence
in your daily life. Now, let's talk about a simple,
yet powerful practice that you can incorporate into your daily
routine to build a more confident you. All you need
to do is stand in front of a mirror, place
one hand over your heart and thank God for your face,
your season, and your body. Feel the warmth of your

(03:45):
hand and let it be a reminder of the love
and care God has for you. Take a moment to
truly appreciate the unique person you are. This small act
can make a big difference in how you see yourself
each day. If that doesn't resonate with you, here's another
simple practice. Keep a journal and write down one thing
you appreciate about yourself each day. It could be anything,

(04:08):
your kindness, your resilience, even the wisdom that comes with age.
These small daily acknowledgments are incredibly powerful. They help to
gradually build a deep seated confidence that isn't easily shaken
by external circumstances. Remember, confidence isn't about being perfect It's
about recognizing and appreciating who you already are. These tiny

(04:30):
moments of self acknowledgment can slowly but surely transform the
way you see yourself. So why not give it a try.
Incorporate these simple rituals into your daily life and watch
your confidence grow. Now, I'd like to talk about what
we can do instead of falling into the comparison trap. First,
let's bless the women we find ourselves comparing to. This

(04:50):
might sound unusual, but try it out. When you feel
that twinge of envy or comparison, send them a silent blessing.
It helps to dissolve those negative feelings. Next, let's be honest.
Social media can be a big trigger for these feelings,
so taking breaks from those feats that make you feel
small is truly beneficial. Step away from the scroll and
give yourself some mental peace. Another thing that can help

(05:13):
is leaning into community and having conversations that focus on
life and meaningful connections. Find your tribe, surround yourself with
uplifting people who encourage you to be your best self.
It's powerful and can really fill your spirit. Speaking of spirit,
start tracking what truly strengthens yours, What activities or moments
make you feel alive and positive. Focus on these instead

(05:35):
of perceived flaws. Finally, let's remind each other that building
confidence is a daily journey. It's something we can all
do together. So let's commit to supporting each other in
this beautiful journey of self acceptance and love. Each step
we take forward helps us grow stronger and more confident
in our own unique beauty. As we wrap up today's episode,

(05:57):
I'd like to take a moment to offer a closing prayer.
Dear God, thank you for each and every listener tuning
in today. We ask for your help and seeing ourselves
as you see us, help us to release the grip
of comparison and to develop a confidence that is deeply
rooted in peace and faith. We are grateful for the
unique beauty and purpose you have given each of us.
For those seeking more support, consider joining our memberships in

(06:20):
Oil and Light, where we dive deeper into these topics
and support one another in our journeys. Thank you everyone
for joining me today. This is Carrie Sharf, host of
Slow Beauty, Skincare and self Care for Women forty plus,
inviting you to check out the show notes for more information.
Until next time, take care and be kind to yourself.