The Proof Is in the Pudding

In God's eyes, inner beauty is what matters most. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." 

1 Peter 3:3–5 which states, "Your beauty should not come from 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 is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful." 

As Christian women, your focus should be your inner beauty. You get that the message the world is peddling that outer beauty equals worth is bunk. When God's searching for your beauty, He doesn't consider your hair, your clothes, your skin, or your weight. 

But do you live like you know those things? Have God's truths about your beauty and worth changed the way that you behave and relate to others? These are important questions because if you're truly committed to embracing God's vision for your beauty, it should change the way that you live. And the answers to these questions can be found in the way you spend your time. 

How much time do you spend each day cultivating outer beauty? Let me be specific. How much time do you spend on hygiene, hair, makeup, picking out clothes, looking at magazines,shopping for clothes and makeup, and thinking about your appearance? How much time do you spend talking with your friends about outer beauty? Contrast that with the amount of time you spend cultivating inner beauty. How much time do you spend reading your Bible or in prayer daily? How much time do you spend ministering to others? How much time do you spend talking with others about the fruit of the spirit? 

These questions aren't rhetorical. I really want you to think this through because when it comes to how you really feel about beauty, the proof is in the pudding (or in the way you live).