So some of us Christian gals despise our beauty. We don’t say that out loud. But we get nagged by a guilt that says we don’t deserve to be beautiful.
We feel guilty for getting a new outfit. We can’t imagine taking money out of the family budget to get our hair done. And taking the time to put a little effort into our appearance seems like a luxury we can’t afford.
We think we must be selfish and vain if we desire beauty and our neglect of it makes us a saint and martyr.
Ladies, that is a lie from hell plain and simple. How do I know?
God made beauty.
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Ecc. 3:11
God is good at beauty.
Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. Ps. 96:6
God put beauty in women.
The sons of God saw the beautiful women and took any they wanted as their wives. Gen. 6:2
Beauty represents grace.
To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. Is. 61:3
God delights in your beauty.
For your royal husband delights in your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord. Ps. 45:11
Soaking in this truth has been years in the making for me.
After my baby died I was afraid of everything that made me a woman. The day after, my mother and I bound my breasts to dry my milk. I didn’t undress for days. The part of me that made me a woman and contained the essences of life-giving beauty, instead tortured me with reminders of what I lost.
I didn’t look at my body for months. I didn’t dress in regular clothes for months. I didn’t wear make-up for months.
Then He said, “Live.”
“I’m scared.” I said.
“I know,” He said.
Then He pulled me back into life. He gifted me that crown of beauty for my ashes. Jesus picked me up. Washed off my ashes and said, “Be beautiful.”
Then I took his hand and jumped head first into beauty and not just my own beauty. He led me into a ministry of beauty.
I am, just 2 1/2 years after losing my son, the owner of a salon. We do hair and nails and clothes, but more we help women embrace beauty. We help them embrace life.
Thank you Jesus.
And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. Rev. 21:2
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