What Is Beauty?

 Listening to something on the radio today got me to thinking... and we all know that's dangerous. That's why it doesn't happen often. ;P

 Anyway, the man on the radio said "Women are the center influence in the home; whatever they do effects everyone around them, inside or out." And I have to agree with that... it seems whatever attitude we girls have, effects the attitude of those around us. This works negatively, and positively. As to which one... that depends on us.

The positive effects:

 Proverbs 31:23

  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

 The negative effects:

 Proverbs 5:3-6

  For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:

  But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.

  Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. 

  Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

 The strange woman's ways not only effect those around her, but herself as well.  

 Believe me, it's easier to be the strange woman than the virtuous woman. 

 Okay, so now you're wondering what this has to do with beauty, I know. Just hold on, we'll get there.

 Proverbs 31:10
  Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

 Often times we girls forget just how powerful our actions and attitudes are. No, not as in how feminists  talk about "girl power", but as in how God talks about "girl power".

 We forget just how much influence we have on the world, from our own home.  We influence our family, and all who come to our homes, and then they go out into the world, and that influence then carries into how they influence others.  This is pretty serious ladies.



 Now we get into what this has to do with beauty.

 We girls (generally, but not always) put a great deal of importance on looking good.  We have this idea that guys like pretty girls (and they do) so, the thing to do is try to be pretty always.
 There is nothing wrong with looking nice. We need to be careful about dress, cleanliness and all that.  But there's something far more important to being pretty that we need to pay closer attention to.

 Inner beauty is much harder to acquire. But it's far more important.

 As the man on the radio said "We have to be beautiful inside before we can have outward beauty that is genuine."

 Whatever is in the heart will show on the face. Make sure your heart is right, then the rest won't matter so much, because it will be taken care of.

 We get things backwards here.  We're trying to look good outside, and not paying as close of attention to inner beauty, instead of working on inner beauty and letting the rest take care of itself.
 Before you say "But wait! The other matters too!" I know.  But outward beauty is a side effect of inner beauty.
 You can try all you like to be pretty outside, but if your heart isn't pretty, the outer beauty won't last.

 Something the man said about what inner beauty is, that caught my attention... "Not winning arguments, but people to Christ, is the goal."
 That struck me.  We are so easily distracted by wanting to look good, either in form, or in our intelligence level.  We have this desire to "win the argument" so we don't look stupid.  But part of inner beauty is caring about the other person, not about making a good impression.

 Proverbs 31:20
  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

 But remember, not only is charity/kindness a main aspect of inner beauty... but so is wisdom.

 Proverbs 31:26
  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

 True beauty is more than skin deep. Inner beauty makes outward beauty so much prettier.

 Proverbs 31:30
  Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

 God is the source of true beauty. God is beauty.  We need to keep our focus on Him, and trust Him with everything else.  When we do that, we're more beautiful than any beauty queen.

 Proverbs 31:29
  Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.