Negative self-worth, I'm too fat, too skinny, hair not perfect, clothes do not fit just right; I wish I were that way instead of this way or even low self-esteem on a daily replay.
Let us put the perspective of the world to the side for a minute. I acknowledge that to a degree, our health should be held important, hygiene is equally good, and wanting to look nice for a potential boyfriend, current boyfriend, fiance, or husband is also valuable. But have you let the world disrupt the way God wants you to see yourself altogether?
1 Peter 3:3-4
New International Version
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 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.
We let culture dictate what is perfect, what is beautiful, what is in style, but God wants you to look at the inner self above all else. The inner self can be an unfading beauty, a gentle and quiet spirit. This beauty reminds me of how Elijah was comforted by God.
1 Kings 19:11-12
New International Version
11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
The love of God wasn't found in the great wind, the earthquake, the fire, but in a gentle whisper. Lovingly, God saw and heard Elijah's prayer. He answered Elijah in a gentle and calming voice, which gave Elijah the confidence to keep on with the remainder of his ministry.
Pursue this inner beauty that ultimately comes with our close relationship with God, and the outward approval, outward beauty, the external appearance will be kept in the proper perspective.
Even if it is health issues, the inner beauty will fight off the moments of low self-esteem and ultimately keep you motivated to focus on healing rather than hating who you are or what your appearance may be.
When in the proper perspective, nothing is wrong with outward beauty, styles, or appearances. I'm simply stating that inner beauty is eternal as it is intertwined with your soul. Not only unfading but eternal.
Cultures and different civilizations have their differences in the realm of what is considered beautiful, the study of aesthetics. God is outside of time and immaterial. Which means He is not bound to time. God's idea of beauty doesn't change and will never change. We find beauty in what is good vs the dreadfulness of evil. We are told what is beautiful in the Word of God (the Bible). The Bible is where we define beauty. Spiritual beauty surpasses all physical beauty. Even the most attractive human can be detestable in the eyes of God if their heart is filled with evil.
Do not be so hard on yourself, and remember it is in God where we measure our self-worth. Amen.
1 Samuel 16:7
New International Version
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the same things people focus on. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Let us put the perspective of the world to the side for a minute. I acknowledge that to a degree, our health should be held important, hygiene is equally good, and wanting to look nice for a potential boyfriend, current boyfriend, fiance, or husband is also valuable. But have you let the world disrupt the way God wants you to see yourself altogether?
1 Peter 3:3-4
New International Version
3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 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.
We let culture dictate what is perfect, what is beautiful, what is in style, but God wants you to look at the inner self above all else. The inner self can be an unfading beauty, a gentle and quiet spirit. This beauty reminds me of how Elijah was comforted by God.
1 Kings 19:11-12
New International Version
11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
The love of God wasn't found in the great wind, the earthquake, the fire, but in a gentle whisper. Lovingly, God saw and heard Elijah's prayer. He answered Elijah in a gentle and calming voice, which gave Elijah the confidence to keep on with the remainder of his ministry.
Pursue this inner beauty that ultimately comes with our close relationship with God, and the outward approval, outward beauty, the external appearance will be kept in the proper perspective.
Even if it is health issues, the inner beauty will fight off the moments of low self-esteem and ultimately keep you motivated to focus on healing rather than hating who you are or what your appearance may be.
When in the proper perspective, nothing is wrong with outward beauty, styles, or appearances. I'm simply stating that inner beauty is eternal as it is intertwined with your soul. Not only unfading but eternal.
Cultures and different civilizations have their differences in the realm of what is considered beautiful, the study of aesthetics. God is outside of time and immaterial. Which means He is not bound to time. God's idea of beauty doesn't change and will never change. We find beauty in what is good vs the dreadfulness of evil. We are told what is beautiful in the Word of God (the Bible). The Bible is where we define beauty. Spiritual beauty surpasses all physical beauty. Even the most attractive human can be detestable in the eyes of God if their heart is filled with evil.
Do not be so hard on yourself, and remember it is in God where we measure our self-worth. Amen.
1 Samuel 16:7
New International Version
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the same things people focus on. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
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