What Should I Wear?

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12

Do you like trying new clothing styles? There are a lot of styles to choose from, and new clothing is being designed each day. You can go to an expensive store and buy new designer fashions that are modeled on the runways in New York or Paris, or you can put together secondhand clothing items bought in a thrift shop to create a cute new outfit just for you. Clothes are an important part of life. If you opened your closet, you might see shoes, jackets, sports uniforms, swimming suits, clothes for playing in, uniforms for school, and clothes to wear for church. Worldwide, people spend close to $180 billion on children’s clothing each year!

The Bible doesn’t say much about the clothes you wear, but God does want you to be modest and to honor him in everything you do, including what you wear. The Bible also mentions what God wants you to clothe your spirit with. According to today’s verse, the characteristics of tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience should cover you just as your physical clothing covers your body.

How can you clothe yourself with godly characteristics? By asking God to help you face each day with your heart filled with those things. When you’re tempted to get angry, take a deep breath and remind yourself of the compassionate way to react. When you are jealous, step back and allow yourself to put others’ needs and desires ahead of your own. When you are impatient, count to ten, and allow yourself to relax and respond with patience.

God doesn’t expect you to be able to do it on your own, and he’s waiting to help you.

Write the words tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience on an index card. Place it where you will see it as you get dressed each morning. While you put on your clothes for the day, ask God to clothe your spirit with each of these characteristics.