Beauty is, as beauty does

“Be beautiful in your heart.”

1Pe 3:4 CEV

Princess Diana was considered to be one of the most beautiful women in the world. Yet she disliked what she saw in the mirror. This led to an eating disorder known as bulimia, which is caused by self-loathing. And the “beauty cult” has infected many of us with a similar sense of inadequacy and inferiority. The problem is—we’re looking in the wrong mirror. It’s a good thing to stay physically fit and dress in a way that compliments you. But it’s a bad thing to base your worth on your physical appearance. Why? Because you are fighting a losing battle against Mother Nature and Father Time. Here are three Scriptures you need to think about: (1) “A beautiful woman who lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig’s snout” (Pr 11:22 NLT). That Scripture could be reduced to one sentence: “Beauty is, as beauty does.” (2) “Charm can be deceiving, and beauty fades away, but a woman who honors the Lord deserves to be praised” (Pr 31:30 CEV). That Scripture could be reduced to one sentence: “Beauty may attract attention, but only character will earn you respect.” (3) “Be beautiful in your heart…This kind of beauty will last, and God considers it very special.” That Scripture could be reduced to one sentence: “God measures by a different yardstick; with Him, beauty is an inside job.” And here is one more thought: People will treat you according to how you treat yourself. So as you begin to appreciate the “beauty” God has placed within you, others will begin to appreciate it too.

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