What does true beauty look like? To me in many ways it is how this photo up above looks like. I love landscape that is beautiful to the eye, so serene and peaceful and you know when you look at it, it’s God’s handiwork. The world’s perspective of true beauty is how we look physically. We are constantly been told how we should be and how we fall short. Sometimes we often feel as though we can never measure up. Then we find ourselves hiding in our dark bedrooms, medicating ourselves or having depression or anxiety. We lose our courage and then become numb.
True beauty only comes from God. To me it’s inner beauty that only God and others who know us can see it. I have a hard time seeing myself as how God sees me. I am very harsh on how I see myself for me at times , it’s easier to hide in that dark room then face who I am in Christ. ” You should be known for the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty and quiet spirit which is so precious to God. ” Fierce Beauty by Kim Meeder p. 33 . I have tried to change my appearance because I don’t like how I look, or I drink too much to fit in; because I’m socially unacceptable. Pretending you are something you are not is hard to keep up and it forces you to put on differnt masks for different environments. In the end it hurts you more and isolates you from who God wants us to be.
” I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. ” Romans 15:13
” Don’t be afraid for I am with you, don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthened you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious hand.” Isaiah 41:10
” True beauty – We often chase after this world’s definition of beauty and value and reject genuine worth offered by our Lord. Will we live in fantasies of our own creations or choose God’s best purpose for our lives? ” Fierce Beauty by Kim Meeder p.32 ”
God is calling all of us to be beautiful to lay down ourselves and pick up the cross and fight for those who cannot fight for themselves. That is my passion in this world to stand in the gap for those that need encouragement and hope. ” However righteous beauty is like a sunrise ; it cannot be stopped no matter what circumstances surround it. It is not effected by weather of percieved emotions. It is stable, secure, and dependable. It does not merely sparkle from the outside in; it radiates from the inside out, because it’s inside those perishable containers that the glory of our God is held. This glory——— His glory within us is what makes us beautiful. ” Fierce Beauty by Kim Meeder p.33.
That is what true beauty is all about and I need to remember this when I think about who I am in Christ. He is shaping and molding me into who He wants me to be. This beauty grows within us when we open our eyes and our hearts to those who are hurting. God has given me a huge heart for those who hurt, He has given me compassion and grace to know how to reach out to others. When they hurt I feel their pain and know how to pray for them or just come alongside them. Reach out to those who are around you, pray for them, give a kind word, show them love, understanding and compassion. We all need to know there is someone in our court. Who will you reach out to today?
Beauty from Ashes. 