One of the things I talk about a lot around here is beauty begins on the inside. It’s part of the reason I do a Beauty for the Heart each day. But what does beauty on the inside look like?
- But truthfully, that’s what it is; a lie. Outward appearances are fleeting. Proverbs 31:30 says, Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
- What that means is, physical beauty fades with age. Wrinkles and gray hair will come but we need to have a healthy attitude about it. Growing old gracefully can be beautiful!
- Also, to fear the Lord means to be in awe of Him. True beauty begins when we are in awe of all he has done for us!
Should we care about our outward appearance? 1 Peter 3:3-4 says, 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.
- This does not mean it’s wrong to braid your hair or wear nice clothes and jewelry. The verse was written to warn women not to follow the customs of some of the Egyptian women who, during that time period, spent hours and hours working on their hair, makeup, and finding the perfect outfit.
- We can look nice and dress nice but God wants to see us work on becoming beautiful on the inside. That’s the kind of beauty that lasts forever!
Lastly, Psalm 139:14 says, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
- Let me speak this loud and clear! You are created in the image of God, and God doesn’t make junk!
- Like a snowflake, every person is unique. No two are the same. God sees you as a masterpiece that he created.
- Look in the mirror and repeat Psalm 139:14 and know that you are amazing!
Do you struggle with growing older? Do you know that true beauty begins on the inside?
I hope you know that know matter your past or your present, God can turn it into something beautiful! He’s the only one who can!
Have a blessed day!
Wow…I do struggle with the aging process. Not getting older but looking older. Not everything is in the same place that it used to be but who cares! I just want to look presentable and somewhat current…hahaha!!! My husband and I have different views on what a Christian woman such focus on. He thinks Christian women should be totally about God and any focus other than that is wrong. I disagree…it’s nice to see that you definitely have a heart for the Lord and can still pull an outfit together. I may need to show him your blog. Thanks for shining your light!
Thank you so much for this <3
In the last few weeks, my husband and I have gotten "senior discounts" three times at three different places….we are 55 and 56…and don't really feel like "seniors". But the truth is we are closer to that than a "young couple", and so much in media and the world can program us to fight that. You are so right, wrinkles and other changes will come, and only a heart surrendered to the Lord will help us age gracefully. We have much life ahead, til the Lord takes us home; but each day is for Him! Bless you for sharing beauty for the inside of us as well as the outside =0)
You are so right Laura with your comment on changes as we get older and what really matters is a heart for Jesus.
Thank you Cyndie for the daily splash of God’s love that keeps me in perspective : )
I really like your blog but just wanted to let you know I appreciate that you view the Sabbath differently than other days. Thank you,
Thank you Kathleen. We all need the Sabbath!
Blessings,
Cyndi
Thank you for reminding us that our focus should be to search out the best relationship with our Heavenly Father! He is where our focus needs to be and He deserves our very best efforts. So thankful I found your site. I look forward to reading your words daily.
Thank you Danelle!! Appreciate you stopping by!
Blessings,
Cyndi
I learned from a mentor woman that I should spend more time in my quiet time with the Lord and less time on my appearance..That has helped me get perspective.
I also want to spend less of God’s money on earthly “treasures” (clothes, makeup, etc.) and more for laying up treasures in Heaven!
Wise words Carla and great perspective.
Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,
Cyndi
Thank you, Cyndi, for constantly pointing us to true beauty. We need to hear this again and again as we are bombarded every day by the world’s idea of what is beautiful.
Yes we are bombarded every day!! We need to focus on true beauty.
Thanks for stopping by!
Cyndi
Thank you so very much this is a message that I needed to be reminded of at this time in my life.
So glad Kimberlee! Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,
Cyndi
Thank you!!! Need to hear this today!!!
So glad to hear these words today! A wonderful reminder! Thank you Cyndi!
Aww thanks Lisa!! Hope you have a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Cyndi
Thank you, Cyndi, for your words of encouragement! I’m so glad I found you 🙂
Blessings to you and yours!
Thank you Catherine for stopping by!!
Blessings,
Cyndi
Thank you so much for this message. This is medicine for my soul; exactly what I needed. I thank God for your ministry through this blog every day.
Aww thank you Jennifer and I’m so glad it was medicine for your soul.
Have a wonderful week!
Blessings,
Cyndi
As a Christian woman I often struggle with if it’s okay to enjoy fashion and makeup and spend money on these things. Does anyone else struggle with this? I know that He wants to posess our hearts and we have to guard them to ensure that nothing else takes the place of Him.
Thank you for a safe place to ask questions and be transparent.
God bless you.
Beth Harris
Beth, I hope you don’t mind me chiming in here. I, too, have always struggled with the same questions. In recent years, I’ve come to realize that, at least for me, it is GOOD that I struggle. For me, the struggle is a safeguard that serves to remind me not to obsess over clothes and to remember my first love. The struggle is like a caution light that is there to keep me grounded. Does that make sense? Without the struggle, I might not be as mindful as I should be about putting God first.
I needed to hear that! Thank you, Suzanne!
Hi Suzanne, I sure don’t mind you chiming in at all. In fact I am grateful for your thoughtful response. I see what your saying in that it is a good struggle. It is evidence that we have His Spirit within us and are sensitive to Him. I struggle with feeling guilty for shopping and buying clothes. I wonder how much do I really need when so many have so little in our world and I am trusting Him when He said that He would clothe and take care of me. I see now that the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit will always be with us until we go to Heaven. But, like you say we need to focus on Christ as our first love. He is a jealous God and won’t take second place. Thank you for your wise words and God bless you.
So thankful you ask this question. The have been struggling with the exact same thing recently. So thankful for the thoughtful responses! I am very thankful to have found this blog. Such a safe place to ask questions without fear of judgement. Thank you wonderful ladies!
It’s a comfort to know that others struggle with the same issues and to know we are not alone. So grateful for the comments and encouragement.
Suzanne said it perfectly. The struggle reminds me of what’s important. I think as women we all struggle with this issue.
Love the conversation!
Blessings,
Cyndi
I’ve struggled with this, too, but have come to realize that it is really about how we prioritize our time. If we spend all of our time and money on clothes and make-up, yes, it’s wrong, as it would be with spending all of our time/money on any interest/hobby to the detriment of our time with God. But if our priorities are in place – not only God first in our lives, but God first in everything we do – then there’s nothing wrong with enjoying clothes and make-up. The truth is clothes and make-up are part of how we present ourselves. Cyndi, with her style, presents herself as confident, modest, not afraid of aging and, most importantly, approachable. If we’re seen as unapproachable or lacking in confidence, it’s hard for us to get God’s message across. (Just as it is if we’re too vain about the ‘labels’ we’re wearing.) One of the things I’m loving about being 54 is being able to ‘counsel’ younger women. But our counsel can’t be just in words but action. If you can show that growing older can look good – and that looking good can be modest – and that it isn’t something to fear, so much the better. My body isn’t what it was at 24, but why should I dress as if I’m ashamed of that fact?
In addition, we also need to take time to care for ourselves, something we need to teach other women as well. I learned the hard way that if you don’t do that, you risk reaching a point where you have nothing left to give. And let’s face it, many of the outfits Cyndi styles take no more time to put on than it would take to put on a frumpy housecoat and slippers, so why not put on the nicer clothes? I find I spend a lot more time thinking about what I’m wearing as I go through the day if I’m wearing something I don’t feel good in than if I’m wearing something I like.
Hi Sue, I love what you said here. I will be 54 in April and my daughter is 22 . I see how part of our witness can and should be personal care, modesty and attractiveness. I so want to be a good example to her and her friends. I know they are observing me and listening to me though they don’t always make the decisions I want them to make. Also, I think of other women my age and how I might inspire them to be their best and not least of all my husband who I am sure would be grateful for me to be a woman that he is proud to call his wife. Thanks for this discussion. What could be more important than talking about how best to live out our faith in Christ and wrestle these topics together. Beth
This is such an inspirational message, I’m so very thankful for you and feel so very blessed by you and your blog. I agree with Melody and Teresa J! I really think you should consider writing a book inspiring women to become all that God wants us to be. Do you ever travel to other areas to speak? Have a blessed day 🙂
I would love to write a book and it’s not on my bucket list. Yes, I do speak at women’s conferences and would love to do it more. 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Blessings,
Cyndi
This is also one of my favorite posts…I know and believe the words but still struggle with the physical realities of aging….a friend says let’s stay contemporary at every age and I love that advice as well
Lori I do struggle with the realities of aging. I wrote this post for me too!!
Blessings,
Cyndi
Thank you for these wise words that remind us what is truly important; His majesty and love and our seeking Him in all that we do. Blessings to you for faithful study and grace to your readers. 🙂
Thank you for stopping by Gaby!!
Blessings,
Cyndi
I started following your blog a few weeks ago because I had been feeling frumpy over the past few years and I wanted to learn how to dress and look more fashionable while maintaining the dignity of a woman who has “lived a little.” Funny thing is… I find myself scrolling past the outfits to Beauty for the Heart first and I look forward to your Sunday posts the most. What a beautiful picture of a Proverbs 31 woman you are Cyndi. You are an inspiration and I thank you for sharing yourself with us!
Melody I’m so glad you go to the Beauty for The Heart first. It’s the most important part!
Thank you for stopping by!
Blessings,
Cyndi
So far, Cindi, this is my favorite post yet….at 58 it took me a long time to come to the realization of everything you wrote here. God bless you for your faithfulness to the Lord and to evangelizing so beautifully.
It took me a long time too Teresa. The older I get the more I want my beauty to shine from the inside out!
Thank you for stopping by!
Cyndi