stripping?

[Athalia]

sorry sorry sorry about this post. but sometimes hearing someone else stating firmly something helps keep us on the right track or something....

I am in college, have zero money.... and I can't seem to get a job. If I don't get one soon I am kicked out of school because i can't pay. anyway I know I should trust God and I do. but I have made soo many mistakes lately concerning what i thought was "God's will" that I do not trust myself to discern what i should do. I mean in some cases I waited years to make sure I was doing right and when i was sure and I acted, it was sooo wrong.

so ok. this is embaressing because I do not want to be judged in a bad light but here it goes. The only place that might hire me is this strip joint. Is it wrong I mean really wrong to do it? because I can't find any other way.... it isn't even that i want to do it cause i don't. but with the amount of money I would be payed I could work there for a month and then I would be able to quit. I am confused. I know that most people would consider it a sin, but if you need something - gah i don't know. I am wavering in more then this desion. help, and please don't be harsh

 

[93fleetwoodlowlow]

sorry sorry sorry about this post. but sometimes hearing someone else stating firmly something helps keep us on the right track or something....

I am in college, have zero money.... and I can't seem to get a job. If I don't get one soon I am kicked out of school because i can't pay. anyway I know I should trust God and I do. but I have made soo many mistakes lately concerning what i thought was "God's will" that I do not trust myself to discern what i should do. I mean in some cases I waited years to make sure I was doing right and when i was sure and I acted, it was sooo wrong.

so ok. this is embaressing because I do not want to be judged in a bad light but here it goes. The only place that might hire me is this strip joint. Is it wrong I mean really wrong to do it? because I can't find any other way.... it isn't even that i want to do it cause i don't. but with the amount of money I would be payed I could work there for a month and then I would be able to quit. I am confused. I know that most people would consider it a sin, but if you need something - gah i don't know. I am wavering in more then this desion. help, and please don't be harsh

whoa... stuck between a rock and a hard place kinda thing? the only positions they have open are stripping? what about waitressing or something? really, you shouldnt strip. yes it is good money but as a Christian, you shouldnt be in or around a place like that. i would say keep looking somewhere else. you say you will only work there for a month but how sure of that are you? i worked with a nurse here at the hospital who was a good friend of mine, she wanted a part time job so she could afford a very expensive vacation she was going on. she too was a christian woman. very beautiful girl, couldnt find a job anywhere. she was offered a job at a strip joint part time. well after a lot of consideration she took it. she said she was only going to work there for a few weeks maybe two months or so. well after about 3 weeks i never saw her again. she quit her job here at the hospital and went full time at this place. well, i did see her once here at the hospital recently. she fell and broke her ankle backstage and had to come out to the hospital. she was very mean and bitter toward people... me included and we were good friends. i dont know what happened to her. she said that in the time she was here instead of at work she could have made about 2k dollars. yes the devil will show you everything but the price tag. my friend didnt even look like herself anymore. i dont know but i think she is a druggy. i am not saying this will happen to you but be careful. keep thinking on God and praying to Him. He will direct your path. my prayers will be with you.

 

[vibrant]

here's a link http://www.christianforums.com/f550-survivors-of-sex-industry.html

go ask these ladies if it's worth it.

 

[KristiLee]

Hi Athalia, I am sorry you are so tight for cash. It is hard to know what to do when money seems to be disappearing.

To sell something (yourself, or your talent, for example) for an unworthy purpose, is called prostitution. This is what the Bible says about your body and prostitution.

1 Cor 6:15
15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself?

Eze 16:15&16
15" 'But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his. 16You took some of your garments to make gaudy high places, where you carried on your prostitution. Such things should not happen, nor should they ever occur.

Hosea 4:10-12
10"They will eat but not have enough; they will engage in prostitution but not increase, because they have deserted the LORD to give themselves 11to prostitution...

Call on God, pray to Him and ask that His will be done. Pray that he would line a job up for you. When you pray this prayer, claim it as if it were already so. Look for the job as if you just need to find the one God has laid out for you.

The bible says:
Mark 11:24 (also found in Matt 21:22)
24"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe you have received it, and it will be yours."

I know your heart is in the right place or else you would not have posted your question. You will be in my prayers. I will pray that God places in your lap a job that provides well for you. God bless you!

Be encouraged by the scripture Luke 12:22-35.

Do Not Worry
22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.
23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes.
24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!
25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!
29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.
30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.
31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.
33Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.
34For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

[Athalia]

Thank you guys, I guess it is a good thing to hear people tell you stuff.... I guess more then anything it is freaking me out that I am and or was... considering it. that is not at all who i am "supposed" to be or think...

 

[Mr.Cheese]

It's easy for money issues to freak you out when you're young. I don't think less of you for it getting the ebst of you for a second.
But you don't even want to go down that road. It's pure self-destruction.

 

[Spicy McHaggis]

self respect is worth more than money IMO.

 

[moses916]

respect to God is also worth more than self respect

 

[kittystrawberry]

I would never recommend for you to strip. I feel that stripping is what the devil want you to do. You need to do what is right.
Take out loan. Speak to someone at the school in the office and explain your situation. Speaking to the dean would be good. Try other ways, instead.

 

[Richard]

It's easy for money issues to freak you out when you're young. I don't think less of you for it getting the ebst of you for a second.
But you don't even want to go down that road. It's pure self-destruction.

I agree.

 

[Athalia]

*ducks head*
yea... I sometimes need to be told these things, like affirm them I guess, I can't go home with them cause that would be very bad. And I don't have any good christian friends here, I try but they all never have time for me or they get all supirior liek they never struggle with anything and have no sin. and I think that is messed up because no one is perfect and we should all help each other and not judge but lift each other up...IMO... and there really isn't anyone at my church either...so i am looking for a new one...I mean I do have christian friends but they aren't the ones that are nessassrily walking the life.. neither am i though but I am trying to learn to do that as an adult, cause it is way easier when you are kid.

 

[Sketcher]

I'm glad you're making the decision to not work there. Your reputation would never recover. Even if you didn't have sex with anybody during this time, no one would believe it.

You really are better than all that, give Psalm 37 a read. It's really hard to not sin to get ahead, but really. God will find a way of taking care of us one way or another.

 

[DailyBlessings]

Thank you guys, I guess it is a good thing to hear people tell you stuff.... I guess more then anything it is freaking me out that I am and or was... considering it. that is not at all who i am "supposed" to be or think...

You don't have to feel guilty for considering it, Athalia- everyone's strapped for cash once in awhile, and when you're getting desperate even a bad option doesn't seem that bad...

All the same, I don't think it's a terribly good idea, for all of the reasons everyone above has mentioned.

Good luck in your walk, and I hope things start looking a little brighter soon.

 

[Alejandro]

First of all... I admire your courage.

Sorry to hear your tight money wise. But I know that you'll take the right decision. That is between you and God. BTW what are you studying?

Let me share some info about stripping. You'll find many "friends" who are there with the same stories. When you're a stripper.. you can make lots of money. And some of them end uphaving degrees.. but most of them got themselves caught in a whole.

Let's say you're there just for a few months.. make some money.. and quit. Happy ending right? Well.. is it? let's put it this way.. when you'll be a mom.. how will you feel if your daughter is a stripper.. or how would you feel if your future husband was a stripper? If this sounds harsh to you.. then it means you have a good moral and you know stripping is not for you.. God always give a doorway out of trouble.. and we all know God is Holy.

Now to the sad ending.. most strippers get caught cause they'll never make as much money somewhere else. And there's many other things coming along. Do you find it hard being in College with few Christians? The the strip joint will be Hell for you. You'll find drugs, competition.. jealousy, and sometimes prostitution. You'll be tempted every day at work.. you'll be envited to very "interesting" and "fun" activities after work. Don't get caught in that trap.

God loves you the way you are.. and you have been chosen by Him... to please Him, not the world.. remember that our God is very jealous. And my friend.. once again I must tell you I admire your courage and strength to share this problem with us. You'll be in my prayers

 

[BeautyForAshes]

here's a link http://www.christianforums.com/f550-survivors-of-sex-industry.html

go ask these ladies if it's worth it.

Ditto. Pose this question to ladies that have actually been there.

Are there no jobs available on campus? (the library, student center, ect.) What about your local Wal-mart or food place (Applebee's, TGIF, etc.)?

Push come to shove, take out a student loan (you don't need your parents approval or permission to do this). I know everyone hates loans, but look at it as an investment in something that can't ever be taken away, destroyed or repossed. Its an investment in YOU and you're definitely worth it. At least this way, the loan will cover your education expenses while you find a job to help support you.

I'm praying for you and your situation.

 

[julietheartist]

Hi Athalia,

I understand your desire to acquire your college degree & feeling like stripping is a logical & rational solution to helping obtain this goal, even being Christian. I'm glad you asked & are seeking wisdom & direction in making this decision.

I have been right where you are now, debating whether it will be profitable & worthwhile. I rationalized that I had to do what I had to do - as no one was helping or even encouraging me getting a college degree - as I was the first in my family to pursue a collegiate education. I was a triple major, on the Dean's List, taking 17 hours and barely getting by working 5 different jobs (bank teller, aerobic instructor, bus driver, hostess & high school coach). Having thought that I had weighed out all the consenquencess & costs (after all I was a Christian) I rationalized that it would only be a stepping stone and then one day it would be behind me, I'd have my degrees, God would forgive me & then I would go on with my life..... NO ONE EVER HAD TO KNOW.

It all started out very sweet and I found myself working in the top gentlemen's club in Indianapolis, 60 minutes from Purdue University where I attended classes. I thought no one would find out & made more money the first three nights I worked than I had in months. I asked my roomates to move out & enjoyed living alone in a cozy home near my classes. Working only 3 nites a week, Thursday, Friday & Saturdays was perfect, as I had no classes on Friday & was out of class by 2 on Thursdays. I had it all together, was a woman 'hear me roar' and no one or nothing was stopping me from obtaining my goal. I was proud of my decision & even prouder that I was a clean 'artful' dancer that no one could touch.

What I never realized was that I would find myself bound in the industry and unable to escape.....even AFTER I obtained my college degree....7 years later! Oh, I quit, but always returned out of desperation for money. Besides that, my lifestyle was significantly different & I had very expensive taste now (big change from the poor farm girl!)....a brand new sports car, new SUV, expensive clothes, limos, partying with celebrities, eating out regularly.....my once thought 'simple/harmless pot smoking habit' had progressed into harder drugs: cocaine, xtasy, crystal meth, crack, etc. I rarely had to buy the drugs either....they found me....more and more regularly as the years went by. I must've quit 20+ times over the years, then eventually returned to be a waitress in a club in West Palm Beach. After all, waitresses are 'good girls'....they leave their clothes on. That lasted about 3 months & I was fed up with being the clean up girl & knew that I could get on stage & 'clean up' the cash, not people's drinks & trash. (Being a waitress is a lure to get dancers. In that environment it's only a matter of time before they are on the stage and most of the waitresses & bartenders are former dancers trapped in the lifestyle/industry).

Only now I had another problem.....bigger problem.....remember the decision to dance to pay for college? In reality that only lasted a year, or less, that I actually used the money to pay tuition. I started applying for loans after that & was facing a debt of over $65,000 for my college education with interest piling on at an alarming rate! No regular job could pay me enough. Now I thought I really had to dance, to not only survive, but to try to pay that HUGE monthly payment & rationalized again that it would only be to pay off the loans....for a year or two. I even started traveling and following large sporting events, as being a house dancer didn't pay enough, I was going after the crowds & wanted to be the 'special guest'.....plus in my lifetime I had traveled rarely & now I could see places I had never seen. I even rationalized that I'd show my artwork & get gallery exposure while traveling....that stepping stone mentality again. (I would inquire & find out what the best gentlemen's club was in the cities I traveled to, but I don't think I ever inquired what the best galleries were. Unfortunately, I rarely set foot in a gallery and never showed my portfolio professionally during those years. I was always too exhausted & distracted). I always had a plan, but found myself hating myself & what I was doing more and more.

The shame & embarrassement, the judgement you receive is unbearable @ times. What you subject yourself to degrades you...even if you are a 'clean dancer.' Remember that idea I had that no one would find out? One night I radiantly came off stage to a young man with a look of shock on his face to find out it was an athlete that I coached when he was in high school! I was once his swimming & track coach! He was embarrassed and shocked & left immediately. I left early that night, as I could not 'get into work' and became physically ill, realizing that I now was a woman with a sordid reputation.

Yes, I got that degree. Yes, I am working the in the profession I studied to pursue (but only acquired this since I redicated my life - to God be ALL the glory!). Yes, God has forgiven me. No, I am still not healed of damages that I subjected myself to over those 7 years, but with Christ, I am working through the process. No, it's not a secret & yes, God is taking what was meant for evil & using it for His good now. No, it was not worth the cost I have paid for that degree, mentally, physically or spiritually. Yes, I still pay on my student loans & will for the next 20 years of my life unless God miraculously provides the ability for me to pay them off quicker. By God's grace & provision I am able to pay more than I am required to decrease the principal. But over $300 goes to interest alone and less than $30 goes to principal! No, it's not worth it to strip to try to get your college degree. There are other ways that you don't have to sell your soul, lose your self esteem, degrade yourself & do something that you will regret.

I saw numerous young women like you come in to work while they were in college to only drop out of school and NEVER obtain their degrees. They are still stuck there....it's like a vacuum that sucks you in, then pulls all the life out of you to leave you empty & discarded like trash. I was older when I started dancing, 30, to be exact and had went back to college @ the age of 28. I only know of a few women (& I ended up working with 1000's of them over the years) that did acquire their college degrees and most of them are still stuck in the industry. If it weren't for Jesus Christ & God's faithfullness to me, I would still be there, too.

It was all a lie by none other than the father of lies. His purpose is to steal, kill & destroy us. He lures us patiently & slowly convincing us that we can remain in control of what we're about to do that we know instinctually is WRONG.

I strongly warn you to NOT DO THIS. It's a TRAP to take you down a long, painful road that won't seem painful at all @ first. It will be fun & exciting at first, but sin only feels good for a season & scriptures say clearly that if a man looks @ a woman & lusts in his heart that it is the same as commiting the act. Whether they physically interact with you for pleasure or only watch you to fantasize about you - you will be used by satan to lead them into sin......yourself as well.

I sincerely advise you to ask God to reveal His plan for you. He's got one and it's in your best interest. I know that it is not for you to become a stripper. Read His word, my dear sister, and seek His direction. He will guide you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. If you seek Him, you will find Him. He guides us down a narrow path, not the wide one that leads to destruction. I know of NO ONE that went down that path without experiencing some kind of destruction. He will make a way where there seems to be no way for you. Trust Him & obey Him for there really is no other way.

Please believe me, you don't want to ever be in the shoes I once wore. Trust me.

I'll be praying for you & that you will hear His voice as He leads & protects you.

In His love & service,
Julie

[bible]Matthew 5:27-28[/bible]

[bible]1 Corinthians 6:12[/bible]

[bible]Galatians 6:7[/bible]

[bible]John 10:27[/bible]

[bible]John 10:10[/bible]

 

[KristiLee]

What a testimony, Julie. Although I am not interested in stripping, you have encouraged me very much. Bless you, God surely has used evil for good.

 

[ChildOfGod20]

yay! i'm so glad u decided not to do it athalia! just keep following God and prayin and i'll keep prayin for ya and things will get better!

 

[dews]

I understand that you are strapped for cash, but trust God for the money. He has ways of making the impossible, possible. I have seen it happen in my life. My husband and I were just married, suddenly his self-employed business was making hardly any money and I couldn't find a job. During that year we had credit collection agencies calling us all the time and we had hardly anything. $20 was something we had rejoiced over. At tax time, our yearly income was about $500. At least we were living ok- eating Kraft Dinner, hot dogs, and fried noodles with raisins. So, I understand the money situation. God put people in our path who had given us money as well as families who suddenly appeared on our doorstep with a trunk full of groceries. Everything is great now. This had been almost 10 years ago now and we have learned many lessons. Trust God. He will find a way. Do do something drastic like being a stripper. You will regret it in the future. Maintain your dignity and find a different job. Maybe an employment agency can help. I will be praying for you.

 

[KristiXP]

Oh sweety, I've been where you are. I actually considered pole dancing just because I was in a tight situation with money, but it's not rewarding at all. I actually ended up getting a job at a local bar as a cocktail waitress. I love my job. I meet tons of great people and it's not as dramatic like people think it is. A lot of people think, oh you work in a bar, you wear hoochy clothes, you put yourself out there, guys will be groping you and trying to hang all over you. But it's not that way at all, it's more of a classy sports bar.

Anyhow, there's always another option that is a better fit for you and your lifestyle. I knew I wouldn't feel good about myself if I danced on poles for money. Working in a bar isn't much better, but atleast all of my clothes are on. I know you can find something that you'll be happy with.
If you'd like, feel free to PM me and I can help you look for jobs in your area. There are tons of different sites you could use. Definatly check your local newspaper in the Help Wanted ads. That's how I found both of the jobs that I have now, all in the same day. There is a way hun, if you need help, let me know!