Beauty From the Inside
"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight." 1 Peter 3:3-4
Every woman longs to be beautiful. Starting as little girls, we try on our mothers' make up, beg her to paint our tiny nails, and we twirl around in big poofy dresses. That desire is in us all. It's how God made us. But unfortunately society has distorted beauty so much. If you turn on the TV or flip through a magazine, the definition of beauty is extremely unrealistic. It causes us women to compare ourselves and be insecure. Women are never satisfied with their image because they are constantly trying to measure up to a photoshopped "model".
However, this is not how God intended us to view ourselves. The scripture above explains God's view of beauty perfectly. It is not saying that we can't be externally beautiful and that we can't dress up, wear make up and do our hair. It also doesn't mean that you can't be outgoing or confident. But what it is saying is that our worth should not be in those things. We should find our confidence in Christ first, and then all those other things are just extra additions. A woman could be stunning on the outside, but if she doesn't have Christ to beautify her from the inside first, then her outward beautiful means nothing.In Luke 11:39 Jesus tells the Pharisees, "You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy--full of greed and wickedness". We've all been a "Pharisee" before and have cleaned the outside while neglecting the inside of our cup. I know I definitely have before, and everyday I have to continue to ask God to renew and transform my heart and mind by reading his word and spending intentional, uninterrupted time with him. That is the only way, by having an intimate relationship with Christ. First seek him, and he'll shine his light through you so that your beauty will be effortless, unfading, gentle, and of great worth.Until next time,