God's temple.

The problem with trying to measure up to the images we see on TV and in movies is that often girls do harmful things to their body. Too many young women are starving themselves or making themselves throw up to try to achieve the look they want.

Others cut themselves to get attention, express hurt, or just feel something. If you or someone you know is dealing with any of these issues, remember that if you are a Christian, your body belongs to God-it is not your own (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20). When you hurt yourself, you hurt him too. During those times when you are feeling particularly low about yourself that should be focusing on your God worth, not yourself worth.

“YOU ARE HIS TREASURE, HIS PRINCESS.”

The Bible was way ahead of us in exposing the beauty myth for what it is. It points out the vanity, danger, temporary quality of mere personal attractions and instead calls attention to the higher and more permanent beauties of mind, character, and personality. It’s called outward versus inward beauty.

The Book puts it this way:

Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within.

1 PETER 3:3-4

Yeah, but……

·         I won’t be accepted for who I am.

·         I will still be compared to others and not measure up.

·         People judge me by how I look before they get to know me.

·         Others______________________________________

We know you’ve heard this talk about the inside package versus the outside package before. But our guess is that none of it has yet to change your beauty response. And we know you’re probably thinking, inside beauty? Try telling that to the guys. They avoid describing us on the outside by saying we’ve “got a great personality” or we’re “really nice”.

The Bible is not saying that the outer appearance doesn’t matter. It’s saying:
Don’t be concerned about the outer beauty.

Don’t let it define you. Don’t let it cause you undue stress. Don’t make it your most important priority. Don’t let it replace the more important parts of your life.

Outer beauty is nothing more than packaging. And unless the inner content is good too, the outer display won’t make any lasting differences.

Do BE KNOW for the inner beauty.

Outer beauty is the first impression someone gets of you: inner beauty is the second and lasting impression. We call it holistic beauty, and it’s real, honest, and lasting. It reveals the contents on the inside of the package that enhance the outer. You can’t fake holistic beauty- it’s the way women look, feel, think, and act. It’s the whole beauty shebangs!

The more we live our life out before God, the more beautiful we become.

Sue Cary Mayer, makeup artist.

♥