Does God think you’re beautiful?

​​In Christian circles we like reminding each other that beauty is not found in outward things like hairstyles and jewelry, but in having a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Peter 3:3-4). 

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Another popular verse is Proverbs 31:30 which describe beauty as vain, suggesting a woman should rather fear the Lord.

Let me be clear; I’m not about to disagree with Scripture – true beauty is found in our hearts.

I am, however, going to be honest with you. The way these Scriptures have been emphasized; has left me feeling guilty. It has filled me with shame for having a desire to be physically beautiful. I happen to think God gave us these Scriptures to encourage and free us and not to fill us with guilt and shame.
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So what is His idea of beauty?

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It’s His creation

God created beauty. He also created us with the ability to appreciate it. Think of sunsets, mountains, the sea or even a delicate flower. These things capture something of God’s essence. They reveal His beauty to us.
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 In an even greater intensity He created women. 

​As women we possess a physical beauty - it’s part of our nature. In order to enhance this beauty many women turn to makeup, hairstyles and jewelry. True beauty, however, is found through inward adornment. 

"True beauty is found through inward adornment." 

It’s Biblical

The Bible doesn’t forget to mention that women like Sarah (Genesis 12:11), Rebekah (Genesis 24:16), Rachel (Genesis 29:17), Abigail (1 Samuel 25:3), Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:2) and Esther (Esther 2:7) were beautiful. 

​1 Peter 3:3-6 uses Sarah as an example of a woman with inner beauty, but this doesn’t mean she wasn’t physically attractive. Abraham wasn’t afraid they would kill him and take his wife because of her inner beauty (Genesis 12:11-19 and Genesis 20). God created Sarah with a physical beauty; which was enhanced through her inner beauty. 

"Abraham wasn’t afraid they would kill him and take his wife because of her inner beauty" 

​Song of Songs portrays the love relationship between a husband and a wife – a representation of God’s relationship with us. Chapter 4 starts off by describing the physical beauty of the maiden:

“You are altogether beautiful; my darling, there is no flaw in you.” – Song of Songs 4:7

Psalm 45 (the Scripture that inspired this blog) describes a royal wedding. This wedding most likely points toward the forthcoming wedding between Jesus and His Bride (Revelation 19:7). I’ve always loved this instruction to the Bride:

“Let the King be enthralled by your beauty; honor Him, for He is your Lord.
​– Psalm 45:11

It has a purpose

One of my favorite books is “Captivating” by John and Stasi Eldredge. They do a really good job of describing the heart of a woman and how it differs from the heart of a man. They explain that “the essence of a man is Strength” and “the essence of a woman is Beauty.” 

​Although a woman can poses strength and a man beauty, beauty is something especially highlighted in the way God created women. 

“the essence of a woman is Beauty”

​Think of the story of Esther. It was because of her beauty she was chosen to be queen and because of her inner strength she saved her people (Esther 2-5).
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God gave us beauty, because through it we bear His image (Genesis 1:27). So many Christian women walk around telling themselves their not allowed to be beautiful and consequently miss out on what God designed them to be. 

It’s deeper than the physical
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​True beauty is much deeper than what the world perceives it to be. It is for this reason Proverbs 31:30 calls beauty “vain” and the New Testament instruct women not to make physical appearance their priority (1 Tim 2:9-10; 1 Pet 3:3-4). 

"True beauty is much deeper than what the world perceives it to be"

Our beauty shouldn’t be measured by worldly standards, but this does not mean we’re not supposed to be beautiful or that our beauty should be exclusively inward.
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Proverbs 31 describes the ideal wife. Except for a Dr Victor song cover; I doubt any man will tell you that the ideal wife is ugly! The Proverbs 31 woman is most definitely beautiful and even more so because of her Godly character. 

It’s who you are

John and Stasi explain that the heart of a woman has three core desires: To be romanced; to play and irreplaceable role in a great adventure and to have a beauty to unveil.  These desires are all first and foremost met through our Saviour. He wants to romance you; take you on a great adventure and show you how beautiful you are!

"The validation for your beauty is found with the King and not in the world" 

​Your desire for beauty is legitimate and you are made wonderfully (Psalm 139:14).  The validation for your beauty is found with the King and not in the world. 

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