As a woman of this generation, we are so much exposed to media which taught us the measurement of beauty on the outside. Women are so enticed with grooming themselves on the outside that they forget to polish their inside. It’s amazing how these beauty products, cosmetics, surgery, and other forms of beautification lured a lot of women to think that these things can satisfy and comfort them. Women, in particular spend a lot of effort and money to feel good about how they look. The world has indeed redefined “beauty “that exactly contradicts the bible. As we read magazines, watch TV, or even walk along the way, pictures and images of women who are flaunting their bodies are being admired by many people who believed that beauty is having a perfect face, sexy figures, and white glowing skin. When I was younger in the faith, I also believed this lie. I experienced how I would spend so much time thinking about how I look and how I could enhance my physical appearance so I could gain confidence. But, never did I feel gratified nor satisfied. I always ended up frustrated because when I look around, there are so many beautiful women and the idea that I am not one of them left me pitying myself.
As I mature in the faith, I have come to deal with the issue of being beautiful on the outside. I like how the Psalmist mentioned that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God himself (Psalm 139:14). I realized that as a Christian woman, my beauty should come from the inside. This would not mean that I am to be messy or disorganized, but it means that my focus should be how to make my heart and soul beautiful. Then, I would be able to reflect this beauty that God intended me to have.
So, how can I have that, you may ask. I have listed some principles that I keep on reminding myself every time I feel that the world blinds me on the real definition of beauty.
1. Be assured of your identity in Christ.
The very first thing that you need to look at is where you anchor your identity. Most of us women anchored our identity in beauty, achievements, money, possessions, fame, power and even relationship with the opposite sex. Do you notice one thing? All of these can be taken away from us in an instant. If this so, where would be our identity? We are bought with a price which is the blood of Jesus who died on the Christ. We are already dead to sin and alive in Christ. Our identity is in Christ Jesus who gave us the everlasting life. Be therefore convinced.
2. Our confidence must come from the Lord.
One of my favorite verses is found in Psalm 118:8-9 which states “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes. ” This is indeed true. Everyone or even everything may fail us, but the Lord will always be on our side. We don’t get our confidence from outside but God who empowers us to do things according to His will.
3. Draw closer to God each day.
David always encourages himself in the Lord. And the result of this is the Lord never left him during his dark times. As we draw closer to God, we are able to know Him in a more intimate way. And as we know Him more intimately, the more we see His attributes, the more we long to be like Him. I believed that when Leslie Ludy said that the more she gets closer to God, she realizes that the opinion of the World does not matter to her that much anymore indicates her close walk with God. And it’s true. When we are walking closely with God, we barely notice people’s opinion about us and the things around us.
4. Learn from the women of the bible and apply it on your life today.
One of my favorite women in the bible is Ruth. For me, she is a woman who is not after her physical appearance. As being mentioned in her story, she gleaned in Boaz’ field. Can you imagine how hard it is for a woman to work under the pressuring heat of the sun? I wonder if you and I would be happy to do that. But for her, it was the only means to feed her mother in law, whom she loved most. This cause Boaz to say that Ruth was a woman of noble character.
There were enough bible characters in the bible like Esther, Hannah, the Shunamite woman, Sarah and others who seemed to be unimportant on the surface level, but then in the Lord, these women were appointed by God to bring glory and honor to Him. Their lives might not be perfect all the way, but at least, they brought about lessons in our lives.
5. Inspire others to be a woman of God.
In Titus 2:3-5, Paul defined how older women should walk a godly life and teach and encourage younger women in the church. We, women should reflect our inner beauty by exuding a life that is comparable to the loveliness of the Lord Jesus in words and deeds. This, by the grace of God, can lead younger women to walk closely with the Lord and encourage older women to do the same.
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