I think it's crazy but true how much we (girls especially) base our definition of beauty on what we see in magazines, tv, etc... why do we do that?? I confess it's sometimes easy for me to fall into that trap of comparing myself... what if I lost 15 pounds or wore this makeup or got my hair cut in this way... and on and on?? This will never lead to a right attitude!!
How do we keep a right perspective then?? Two thoughts come to my mind:
1) Stop the comparing, and replace it with an accurate (God-centered) view of ourselves. Beauty is good. God created us, and said it was "good". He wants us to take care of ourselves. It's important to me to exercise, eat healthy ...I want to continue those habits (or get better at them in some cases :). I even want to try to look my best...when I know Brandon is coming to see me, I've found I just naturally want to look nice....I can't help it! I think God is honored by those attitudes, but he hates when we compare ourselves to others!!
Psalms 45:11
The king is enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.
Psalms 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
2) What we look like on the inside is more important than what we look like on the outside.
Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
I Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
4Instead, 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.
When I draw near to God and fix my eyes on Him, I naturally become more radiant.... it's true ... the look of contentment and peace in my heart that shines through when I'm walking with Him will always be more beautiful than my outward appearance. Unfortunately the opposite is true too.. when I'm focused on myself, what's in my heart will come out and it may not be pretty. Thankfully God refines me and continues to make me more like him. I remember a wedding of a friend of my sister's I went to about two years ago... the pastor talked about how a husband naturally "beautifies" his wife (makes her more and more beautiful) by loving and understanding her. He talked about how this is a picture of Christ and the church. His love for us (and our understanding of that love) makes us more beautiful.
How do we keep a right perspective then?? Two thoughts come to my mind:
1) Stop the comparing, and replace it with an accurate (God-centered) view of ourselves. Beauty is good. God created us, and said it was "good". He wants us to take care of ourselves. It's important to me to exercise, eat healthy ...I want to continue those habits (or get better at them in some cases :). I even want to try to look my best...when I know Brandon is coming to see me, I've found I just naturally want to look nice....I can't help it! I think God is honored by those attitudes, but he hates when we compare ourselves to others!!
Psalms 45:11
The king is enthralled by your beauty;
honor him, for he is your lord.
Psalms 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
2) What we look like on the inside is more important than what we look like on the outside.
Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
I Peter 3:3-4
Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.
4Instead, 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.
When I draw near to God and fix my eyes on Him, I naturally become more radiant.... it's true ... the look of contentment and peace in my heart that shines through when I'm walking with Him will always be more beautiful than my outward appearance. Unfortunately the opposite is true too.. when I'm focused on myself, what's in my heart will come out and it may not be pretty. Thankfully God refines me and continues to make me more like him. I remember a wedding of a friend of my sister's I went to about two years ago... the pastor talked about how a husband naturally "beautifies" his wife (makes her more and more beautiful) by loving and understanding her. He talked about how this is a picture of Christ and the church. His love for us (and our understanding of that love) makes us more beautiful.
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