“Beauty is only skin deep.” – Thomas Overbury

Some people do not love themselves because of the importance they have placed upon beauty.  It could be because something negative that was said about their outward appearance, or maybe they have a physical feature they do not care for.  They feel that being beautiful (or handsome) equates to being “loved”, but it does not. It’s superficial, it’s shallow.  It’s like artificial sweetener, an imitation that is “less” than the real thing.

God does not place any importance on physical beauty or even how we style ourselves.  Let’s see what He says:

• “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.”1 Peter 5:3 NIV
• “…Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature… God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.”           1 Samuel 16:7 MSG

Physical beauty is short-lived, but an inner beauty that resides in our hearts lasts forever. So what does God look for?

“You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” 1 Peter 5:4 NLT

“Charm can be deceiving, and beauty fades away, but a woman who honors the LORD deserves to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 CEV

As we continue on the journey of learning to love ourselves, I pray that you seek after an inner beauty that is pleasing to God.

May the words of Jenn Proske encourage you, “Love yourself. It is important to stay positive because beauty comes from the inside out.”

Thank you for your time. Be Blessed… LR Maddox
Note: On Facebook, get notified once new entries are posted by following Author LR Maddox and then turning on “notifications”. The direct Facebook link can be found on the Contact page or at the bottom of this page.