That Looks Beautiful on You
In our culture today, we are constantly inundated with beauty tips. Through many forms of media we are promised that anti-wrinkle creams, the latest fashions or even cosmetic augmentation will somehow improve our lives and fill the emptiness we feel inside. But, from God’s perspective, our physical qualities are of least importance. God sees our inner self, our heart, and our soul. We cannot fill the void in our lives by “fixing” our external appearance. Physical beauty is lovely, but it does not last nor does it bring us true joy. “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:30).
Some of the most wonderful words I once heard a husband say to his wife were, “That looks beautiful on you.” This Christian sister tells that those words were the greatest compliment she had ever received. Was she wearing a particularly nice looking outfit when her husband spoke them? No. Was her jewelry something out of the ordinary? No. But what she was doing at the time he said those endearing words is what makes the statement so special to her. You see, she was reading her Bible.
Her husband had been watching her and observed her actively spending time with the Lord. He saw the beauty God was producing in her and through her and he praised her for it. What a blessing! This husband could see that God’s Spirit was with his lovely wife and he admired the qualities that God was developing in her. “But the fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Can we all develop this kind of beauty? Certainly! As we turn our lives over to Christ and seek to deepen our relationship with Him, He will transform us into new, beautiful creatures. This true beauty will be seen in our lives through the fruit we bear. As we turn our focus to the Lord, our hearts are changed and our true beauty, the beauty of Christ, will shine for all to see.
Living for Him, Joan
If you would like to read more of Joan’s devotionals you may visit her blog by clicking on the logo to the left. May the Lord bless you today in all you do.
What you have written is so true–particularly in these times of plastic surgery to augment or delete a portion of ourselves, constant reminders from advertisements for products to enhance ourselves.
God loves us for who we are in our hearts…not for what we are wearing or what we may have done with our hair on this day. Are there things God would like me to change about myself? Of course…but, He will guide and direct me as to the what and when.
This is a wonderful truth..one I sometimes have to remind myself of…
Thanks for a good article to wake up to!!
Beth
Such wise words dear, bless you.
Oh sweet Joan, this brings tears to my eyes today. I’ve felt like the most un-beautiful woman in recent days. When I look in the mirror, I see scars and a bald head and so little of the woman I was even two months ago.
Others tell me I’m beautiful; so does my husband, but to be blessed with that label because of my intentional investment into the Word of God? That’s something I don’t hear often. And in this moment, even though another human hasn’t said it, I hear my Father speaking those words over me.
And I feel less concerned about my outward appearance. I see something deeper that radiates in accordance with my Father’s gaze.
Thank you for this.
peace~elaine
Joan, what a timely reminder, especially as I’m getting older. Looks are fleeting, that’s for sure. And yet I pray that the fruit of the Spirit will be evident to others, especially my husband.
I’m so glad to see how you touched our friend Elaine’s heart today with this message. With hair or not, she is beautiful as she reflects Christ to all she comes in contact with. Just check out her videos; amazing.
love, Debbie
This was so beautiful. It is the Lord Himself and the Word of God in me that makes me who I am. I spend way too much reflecting on what others see and forget that God sees all of me and loves me just the same.
What a beautiful compliment. Perhaps it was the reflection of the Bible on his wife’s face that he saw.
Andie
Great post and something we should all be working towards exemplifying in our lives. Thanks for sharing. Have a great week.
Bethany
What a sweet compliment indeed.
Thank you for sharing those beautiful words – they are honey to my soul.
How sweet,thank you for sharing these inspiring words with us.
Fantastic post! The husband telling his wife was beautiful while reading the bible so touched my heart. Thank you.
I know when I started trusting God more instead of myself, reading His Word and seeking Him more I can feel myslef becoming more beautiful inside! This had a ripple effect in my family. It was so nice when my husband noticed the internal change in me.
I love this post Joan (but anything you write is good!)
I am so glad that God is not concerned with our outside appearence as much as we are and those around us. I do however know that He thinks each and every one of us is beautiful on the outside too, as he handmade each and every one of us. We don’t have ‘flaws’ we have unique mouldings that the Father put there HImself – and He thinks everything about us is beautiful! xoxo