Have you ever been around a guy who can’t stop talking about some other girl? It’s kind of humbling isn’t it? It’s in our very nature as girls to want to feel and be attractive. I know I certainly don’t feel that way when a guy is raving about another female while he’s talking to me. I want the attention, I want to be praised and admired, and when that doesn’t happen, my flesh kicks in and the green-eyed monster comes out. I suddenly start looking at myself to see what needs to change. The ‘if only’s’ start to reel through my mind: “If only I could ….if only I were … and so on.
In today’s culture, women are supposed to be skinny, have great abs, a perfect complexion and a dazzling white smile. Is it wrong to try and improve ones’ physical appearance? Not necessarily. However, if your sole reason is to try and draw the attention of a guy, then you will never be satisfied with yourself.
Do you realize who you are, truly? You are a woman whom God took the time to create, shape and form into His very own image. God is the very essence of beauty. When Jesus becomes Lord in our lives, His beauty dwells within us and we become a reflection of all that He is. This is the kind of beauty that never fades; in fact, it improves with time if we let Him work His will in us.
You’re probably thinking right now, “Oh yeah, this is another one of those ‘true beauty is on the inside,’ spiels, but think about it. I’m not saying it’s wrong to care about our outward appearance. The key is making sure we have it in the proper perspective. If someone gives you a compliment, accept it with joy and pleasure, but don’t let it become something you live for. Let your praise come from the Lord. Remember, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised,” Proverbs 31:30, NASB.
We are here on this earth for a very short time. A blink of an eye (seriously, stop right now and blink—that’s how short of time we have here compared to the rest of eternity,) and it’s over. Why in the world should we place so much emphasis on outward appearances when it won’t matter in *300 to 400 milliseconds anyway? (The average time it takes a person to blink.)
Like I said before, am I in favor of letting oneself go and wearing potato sacks for the rest of your life? Of course not. I like dressing up and getting pretty just as much as any other girl, but your self-worth shouldn’t rub off with your make-up.
Written by: Calun Long
Calun is currently attending Southeastern Seminary working on her Masters of Divinity in Apologetics. She enjoys late nights and good conversation with friends over a hot cup of java.
*Blink of an eye fact: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blink
Comments (2)
wow, that was good. it encouraged me alot!!
Posted by Ellie | August 31, 2007 7:33 PM
This article was a real gift to me. I know i hear people say you are beautiful and things like that but sometimes i don't feel that way. This article truly did show me my "real worth" and help me remember that i am pretty because god is with me and i reflect him. I was glad i was reminded of that and i am going to make a confession to read every morning saying my real worth so i will never forget that. Thank you so much! You have no idea how much this article has blessed me and i pray it blesses more girls just as it blessed me.
Posted by Nicole | July 20, 2008 6:37 PM