What is genuine beauty?

Today while preparing for an upcoming ladies bible study the question was posed "What is genuine beauty?". I was also challenged and made to think about being strangers with family and friends. Sometimes “what we think” others are going through is actually way different than what they are actually going through. As humans a lot of times we assume things. We have an outward view of others and our viewpoints are skewed a lot of times because we do not know the "whole story" or we just assume instead of seeking out the truth. These questions got me to thinking about true inner beauty and outer beauty. 

We are all special and uniquely made. God created each individual beautiful and special. We know He loves us by the promises that he gives us. In 1 Peter 5:7 we are told that we should cast all of our anxiety on Him because He cares for us. “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” 1 John 3:16. We were made in God’s image and we should be at peace with ourselves so whenever others might put us down or talk bad about us we should remember that the Lord will never forsake us. “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said ‘I will NEVER desert you, nor will I ever forsake you’” Hebrews 13:5.   

Beauty comes from the inside. It does not take into consideration what one has on or how one appears. True beauty radiates from within someone and beams out for others to see. God is the provider of "beauty" and it is His spirit that shines through us that others see the outward form of beauty on the outside.

Inner beauty can be attributed to the “fruits of the spirit” that are mentioned in Galatians 5:22-25. These “fruits of the spirit” are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. We are all human and seek out the advice of others and the help of beauty products sometimes. Yes, we put emphasis on outward beauty at times whenever we focus on our hair, makeup, nails, skincare, fashion, body shape and size. Some people do this more than others, but in the whole scheme of everything we should ask ourselves “what really matters”. We should seek out a balance of inner and outer beauty. I believe it is genuine beauty and “inner beauty” that should be our main focus. However, tonight many around the world watch the biggest sporting event of the year…the “Super Bowl”. Viewers will be inundated with what the world says is “beautiful” and great for us as consumers to do, to be, to wear, etc. Tons of people hold “outward beauty” as important…hence the commercials and millions of dollars spent on making them. I believe that true “inner beauty” and personal satisfaction come when one loves their own self and their body. We should put God first and everything else will fall into place because with Christ all things are possible…“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13. We can achieve genuine beauty if we trust in Him. 

These were just a few ramblings that were running through my head this afternoon as I prepared for my bible study class. My challenge and hope for you is that you seek out true inner beauty within yourself.