True Beauty

“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.

This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They trusted God and accepted the authority of their husbands.”

1 Peter 3:3-5 NLT

Peter wrote this thousands of years ago. Evidently women have always enjoyed hairstyles, jewelry and clothes. Peter told them not to place too much importance on these things.

Today we are surrounded by advertisements for products and gadgets to improve our beauty. We are bombarded with pressure to look perfect or at least to keep trying.

When I was a teen in youth group, someone told us we should spend the same amount of time preparing our inner selves for a church service as we spent preparing our outer selves. I can’t remember who said it, but it must have been a man. Ha!

This certainly left an impression on my mind; but while this man placed emphasis on the church service, I feel his idea is better applied to every day life. Each day we can prioritize our inner life. Besides, his measly ten minutes to get ready for church compared to my hour would leave me much holier than he. Ha!

Peter said it this way, “clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within.” Common sense tells us he was not telling women they should not wear jewelry and clothes, and not fix their hair. I believe he wanted women to place greater attention on the most important thing; beauty that never fades no matter our age or physical characteristics.

Proverbs 11:22 (TPT)

Not a pretty picture. Outer beauty is meaningless when the inner life is a mess.

From the time I was a little girl, I have always closely watched godly women. When I was in my twenties, I met a woman in her thirties who taught me so much. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and friend. Some things she taught me by her words, but many things I learned from watching the way she lived.

When I first met her, I did not find her to be especially pretty; but after I got to know her, I saw her as one of the most attractive women I have ever known. She had a sweet spirit and was full of joy. The thing I remember most was her smile. No matter what, she was smiling.

I learned so much from her about beauty. If we are beautiful on the inside, we will radiate that beauty on the outside.

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

Proverbs 31:30 (ESV)

As Peter said, “clothe yourselves with the beauty that comes from within.”

True beauty.