Incorruptible Beauty

I have been thinking a lot about the beauty of the Christian woman. Scripture tells us~            

Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.

(1 Peter 3:3-6 ESV)

I was at a baby shower a couple of years ago and I heard a few Christian women talking. Fitness, babies, church, and the topic of beauty came up; it was very interesting to hear some of what they said.  One woman said she saw a mother recently out of the house that just looked awful= sweat pants, ponytail, no make-up, tired ( it was probably me), and then said she could never leave the house looking like that. It was quick words sputtered out but isn’t that the reality of a woman’s heart? Most of us are mortified just if someone sees just our everyday getup( and if you act like you have NEVER been insecure about this, you are lying). Many times we work on the outside thinking we can hide what is within, shielding our deep need for Jesus. Because there is a deep deep need inside of every woman that can only be met by a loving and gracious Savior. Now don’t get me wrong. Make-up, jewelry, clothes, fitness, etc….are all good and fun things. But it just seems like God is concerned mostly with the Spirit or the heart of a person.

I believe the NKJV states that we are not merely suppose to be thinking about external things as women. I like that wording. It’s not wrong, but focus more on your Spirit. Even the apostle Paul says ~ for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

(1 Timothy 4:8-10 ESV)

It is also interesting to note the last line of 1 Peter~ And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening. I love that line!!! Fear nothing nothing that is frightening. It makes me think of Philippians 4 that says to bring all of your anxieties to God by prayer and supplication and HE will give you the peace that surpasses all understanding and guard your mind and heart in Jesus Christ.

We as women struggle to stay here. We make it here, we are doing well, then life gets away from us, kids wake up in middle of the night puking, or our husband loses his job, death in the family, an unruly teenager, input your life struggles here---- point is; life just happens. In the midst of those times, Gods promise is that if you come to Him, pour out your fear and anxieties and trust in Him. Read Isaiah 26:3 He will give you peace and a gentle and quiet Spirit that cannot be corrupted by this world.

I want to note that it is not wrong or sinful to be anxious or scared. It becomes sin when you try to handle that on your own and do not take it to God. When it consumes you.

My encouragement to my precious sisters this morning is this. Sit with the Lord. Eat and receive of His love, grace, and forgiveness for you. Read His tender words. Let Him cultivate a gentle and quiet Spirit that is not anxious and is fully satisfied in Him. Remember that you, YES YOU!! Are fearfully and wonderfully made by an amazing God. Compliment other women when you see this incorruptible beauty that this world cannot steal or replicate. It is an eternal beauty given by the Spirit of God. Love you ladies. Walk in the beauty of the Lord today!!