DUCK DYNASTY’s Sadie Robertson Has an Important Message for You!
By Diana Tyler, Contributing Writer
Psalm 8:2 says that God “[has] taught children and infants to tell of [His] strength.” DUCK DYNASTY’s Sadie Robertson seems to prove that Scripture true as, at just 17 years of age, she boldly and unapologetically proclaims her faith and trust in God whenever she can, no matter who’s watching.
The “Dancing with the Stars” runner-up’s latest pulpit, if you will, was her own bedroom, where, while wearing pajamas and not a stitch of makeup, she encouraged people to stop comparing themselves to others and to look to God to reach their goals.
Millions of people today have found social media to be a remarkable tool for keeping up with friends and family, getting the latest news on current events, as well as connecting with total strangers with like interests, but, to paraphrase Aristotle’s Ethics, on either side of a virtue lie two opposing vices.
In the case of social media, which possesses the virtue of Awareness, its surrounding vices could very well be labeled Self-Righteousness and Jealousy.
With the constant influx of information coming from myriad social networking platforms, many judge what they see and hear from the way a person phrased a politically-themed Facebook post to what someone wore in their Instagram selfie on Saturday night. Silently, self-righteously, they might fall into the comparison trap and embark upon critiquing every word, expression and article of clothing, all the while secretly sizing people up against their own intellect, achievements and abilities. The second vice, Jealousy, is another negative result of using social media to set up false, harmful comparisons with other people.
Recently, Miss Robertson addressed both of these vices beautifully and genuinely on her YouTube video simply titled, “Just be you and live original.”
While some people, filled with pride or low self-esteem, tend to criticize others – either publicly or privately – on social media, many others tear themselves down by comparing his or her own physical beauty, personality, accomplishments, etc., to someone they know or follow online.
“I wanted to hit you with a reality,” Sadie began. “And, I’m just going to be straight up honest about everything.”
She then proceeded to detail her height, weight, clothing sizes, lack of abs and the presence of a thigh gap…the latter of which she says is a result of being bowlegged and the fact that she eats “all the time. . . like all the time.”
Miss Robertson then candidly confessed her own battle with Jealousy.
“I struggle with jealousy, and I struggle with comparing myself with other people. I struggle with worry, and I’m really hard on myself. I over think everything. I have a hard time when it comes to people not liking me.”
The teenager then quotes the Bible and explains how jealousy is cancer to the bones and that nothing good ever comes from envying another person.
Sadie, who started speaking publicly about the importance of confidence one year ago, urges her audience not to “look at somebody and say that’s what I want to be, because in reality, if you’re seeking self-approval or human approval, you’re never going to reach your goal. You can only reach it by God.”
With equal parts confidence and compassion, Sadie tells viewers they will “never be content with who [they] are unless [they] allow God to come into their lives.
“I’m not saying that’s what you have to believe,” she said. “But I’m saying that’s the best option I’ve ever found. You know, humans have never given me a better comfort zone than what God can give me.”
Sadie ended her inspiring message by suggesting that those struggling with comparison and jealousy should talk to God:
“Maybe open your Bible. Maybe pray about it. Maybe just see what God has to say about it.”
What a powerful, timely message for teenagers and young women to hear today as they navigate through a self-image-crazed society that loves to label fashion trends, hairstyles, body types, you name it, as hot or not, loved or loathed. Following the example of her mom who she says “keeps it real” with her, Sadie refreshingly reminds us that trying to live up to others’ expectations, adopting Hollywood’s fickle fads, or comparing ourselves to the people we admire will never bring us true contentment or fulfillment.
The young star seems to echo the sentiments of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians:
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).
Indeed, those words written over 2,000 years ago to a congregation halfway around the world are just as needed now as they ever were. Miss Robertson is to be applauded for shining bright with the hope of Christ and for using her platform to courageously proclaim His ageless truth and undying love to billions.
Diana Anderson-Tyler is the author of two Faith and Fitness books and she is a co-owner and coach at CrossFit 925. Diana can be found on Twitter here.
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Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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