You are altogether beautiful, my love; there is no flaw in you.
Song of Songs 4: 7 (ESV)
After years of uncontrolled thyroid levels, autoimmune thyroid disease has taken its toll on my outward appearance. It’s something I find myself struggling with when I look in the mirror and see another bald spot on my scalp or when I’m sitting in the dentist chair getting a root canal and another dental crown to restore my crumbling teeth. Add to that my excessively dry skin that no amount of lotion helps and the chronic fatigue revealed in the dark circles under my eyes.
My self-confidence has taken a hit, and if I could muster up the energy, I would probably have a good cry. Others have told me it’s normal to feel this way, and I’m sure it is, but what does the Bible say about our appearance and how does God see us? I’m a firm believer in going to the word of God for every situation in life, and the Bible has a lot to say about appearance.
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Proverbs 31: 10 (NIV)
Charm is deceptive and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Proverbs 31: 30 (NLT)
In the entire chapter of Proverbs 31: 10-31, not once is the woman’s appearance mentioned. Instead, we see her character defined. She is spoken of as a hard worker, someone who helps the poor, and one who looks well to the ways of her household. She is clothed with strength and dignity, faithful instruction is on her tongue, and she fears the Lord.
Your beauty should not come from the outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, 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. For this the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were submissive to their own husbands. I Peter 3: 3-5 (NIV)
How comforting to know our inner self is of great worth in God’s sight rather than our outward appearance. Does our attitude reveal the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit? That’s what is important to God.
Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. Proverbs 11: 22 (NIV)
The meaning of Solomon’s proverb above isn’t hard to figure out. Old testament law prohibited God’s people from eating pork. This is a stark contrast between a beautiful woman and an animal that was considered unclean during that time period. Beauty on the outside means nothing if our inner self is ugly and married by sinful choices.
Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4: 16 (NIV)
Let’s face it, our outward appearance is fading fast. It’s a comfort knowing we should not lose heart because inwardly we are being renewed. Praise God for inner renewal!
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. Psalm 34: 5 (NIV)
I often find myself feeling ashamed of my thinning hair and appearance. How do we develop a radiant glow to our skin? By looking to him. It’s not found in an expensive cream or lotion, but being intimate with Christ is what makes us radiant. We don’t need to feel shame about anything when we turn our life over to Christ and live for him.
We may not be able to control what happens to our outward appearance, but thankfully we have full control over our inward beauty. I don’t know about you, but that is a great encouragement to me. Whether our outer looks are fading simply due to the natural aging process or due to a chronic health condition, we can still be beautiful women of God, and that’s what truly matters.
