What is true beauty?

What is beauty?

According to Webster, beauty is defined as the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit.

My mom used to say "Pretty is as pretty does." I can almost hear God saying the same thing. Jesus was not attractive to look upon when He hung upon the cruel cross for you and for me. However, I am sure He looked beautiful to the people who really knew Him, the ones whose lives He had touched. I know His death transformed me. He took a young woman made ugly by sin and made me acceptable in the Beloved.

I was raised in a home where my father did not think I was pretty. He would take my older brother and younger sister places but leave me at home. I often heard I was dumb and ugly. Even today when people tell me I am pretty, it is hard for me to believe but I am still learning where my beauty comes from.

Beauty in Gods sight

Our self-image should not come from what we wear or what we look like but who we belong to. I am not against make-up but I am against girdles (they are very uncomfortable). Some of you younger ladies may need to Google that. 

1 Peter 3: 3-4 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.”

Another thing my mom would say frequently was that ‘God's make-up kit’ was found in Philippians 4:8: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Ladies, if we dwell on the things in this verse, we will not have time to think about things that displease God.

· We will not be jealous or envious

· We will not covet

· There will be no time to worry or judge people

· We will not occupy our mind with complaints

So why fret over already confessed sin?

I think it would be a good idea to write Philippians 4:8 on an index card and tape it on your mirror and ask God to make you beautiful in His sight as you go about your day.

What does true beauty mean to you? Please share and comment below.

by Hope Gilmer

Hope Gilmer was born on Easter Sunday 1956 and born again on Easter Sunday 1974. She loves to read, write and craft. Hope is a retired teacher who lives, loves, laughs and worships in Kountze, Texas. She is an active member of the loved+blessed community and we are grateful that she allowed us to share her writing with you. This is her heart on paper.