A Woman's Value: More than Skin Deep

A wimpy woman lets the world determine her value. But a woman of strength lets God determine her value.

I want to specifically address the area of Beauty here, as often I think this is one of the first things that can affect our idea of our worth.

1 Peter 3:3-5 says:

"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  For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful."  

That doesn’t mean that you can never wear cute scarves or earrings or braids in your hair. As you know, we love these things and I think that we reflect God’s character in having a love for beauty. 

What this verse is saying is that your definition of beauty should not COME from these things. Rather your beauty should come from this inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit.  

Many women, including myself, have struggled with the term gentle and quiet. Yet I think it means something different than you think:

Gentle, according to Theologian Wayne Grudem:

“’Not insistent on one’s own rights’ or ‘not pushy,’ ‘not selfishly assertive, not demanding one’s own way.’” 

Likewise, the root of the word 'gentle' stems from trust in God's goodness and control over the situation. It’s the idea of strength in God under control in me.

Quiet here doesn’t mean volume wise, but it means at peace, living with a sure confidence in who you are and who the Lord has made you to be. 

We rest in what Col 1:21-22 says that through the Blood of Christ you are holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

Picture courtesy of http://becuo.com

Proverbs 31: 30 says:

 ^"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised."

The only way we can live in this confidence is to have this spirit of selflessness and strength under control, appreciate others around us without feeling threatened, jealous or inadequate. It means to turn our eyes to Jesus, and live out of who he says we are. The beauty that comes from a secure heart does not spoil, fade, or leave. And it surpasses all earthly beauty making us more unique, lovely, and true. Its what people close to us talk most about in us and its what makes us look different from the world.

I pray that we would embrace this confidence and faith and focus more on what the Lord is to us then what we look like coming to a fellowship time! That we would prepare our hearts to see God more than prepare what the world will see in our make-up, clothes and hairstyle.

That is the kind of beauty that shines beyond our outward appearance

This Blog inspired by all the fun, more than skin deep, beautiful ladies in the collegiate ministry I get to work with on a daily basis.