"Real Beauty is Inside"

I’ve been reading a book, “Lies Women Believe (and the truth that sets them free)” by Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth.  One of the lies she points out is “Physical Beauty Matters More than Inner Beauty.”  One might wonder, “who would ever say that?”  I certainly would never say to myself that my physical beauty matters more than my inner beauty.  Truth be told, you wouldn’t either.   

Interestingly, no one usually says this overtly, yet it is very much implied.  It is implied on social media, in pop culture, in music, and many other sources.  When we really think about it, the amount of time we spend on our outer selves in comparison to our inner selves raises a fair question as to which one we really believe is most important.  What makes this so dangerous is the implications seem so natural and harmless that many don’t see them as a ploy of the devil to undermine TRUTH. 

So, what’s the truth?  God’s Word is the best place to start. 

“Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.  You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” 1 Peter 3:3-6 NLT  

I understand that this passage is directed to wives; however, I believe there still remains an important principle that can apply to all women.  Putting more attention on our outer selves puts a burden on us that the Lord did not intend for us to carry.  The truth is there will always be something about our appearance that we are not happy with.  However, when we put the focus in the right place, the burden is not so much on us as it is on our Creator.   

Jesus said something in Matthew 11:29-30 that I view as an invitation for an exchange,

“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (NLT) 

Jesus invites us to exchange our burden for His—whatever that burden is.  The burden to live up to the world’s standard of beauty is heavy, but Jesus said that His burden is light.  To want to look good or to care about your physical appearance is not a sin, nor is it wrong.  The sin comes in when the balance is off.  When we put too much attention on outer selves, we are bound to neglect what’s most important—the inner beauty of the heart. 

PRAYER:  Dear Father, thank you for creating me in your image and likeness.  Help me to recognize that I am Your beautiful workmanship, no matter what I look like on the outside.  Help me to be satisfied with how You designed me, and to clothe myself with the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit that comes from within.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen