Beauty Beyond Looks: Helping Women See Themselves as God Does

Lift Her Chin with Love: A Biblical Perspective on Beauty

As I sat across from my wife, I couldn't help but notice the tennis ball-sized bulges in her cheeks. She had just undergone oral surgery, and the aftermath was not pretty. Her hair was a mess, and she wore her pajamas in the middle of the day. But even with all that, I still found her beautiful. She, on the other hand, wasn't so sure. In fact, she asked me not to look at her.

It's a common theme among women. We look in the mirror and see flaws. We compare ourselves to others and feel inadequate. We worry about our weight, our hair, our skin, our clothes. But what does God say about beauty? And how can we help the women in our lives see themselves as God sees them?

What Does the Bible Say About Beauty?

Beauty is a topic that comes up frequently in the Bible. From the very beginning, God created a beautiful world, and he saw that it was good. He made Adam and Eve in his image, and they were "very good" (Genesis 1:31). But even in this perfect world, sin entered in, and things began to change.

In 1 Samuel 16:7, God tells Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." This verse is a reminder that God cares more about our character than our looks. We can spend all the time and money in the world on our appearance, but if our hearts are not right with God, it doesn't matter.

In Proverbs 31, we see a description of a virtuous woman. She is not praised for her looks, but for her character. She is hardworking, kind, and wise. She takes care of her family and serves others. These are the qualities that make her beautiful in God's eyes.

1 Peter 3:3-4 says, "Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear—but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." Again, we see that God is more concerned with the state of our hearts than our outward appearance.

How Can We Lift Her Chin?

So, how can we help the women in our lives see themselves as God sees them? Here are a few ideas:

1. Compliment Her Character

Instead of always focusing on her looks, compliment her character. Tell her how much you appreciate her kindness, her wisdom, her hard work. Let her know that these are the things that make her beautiful.

2. Encourage Her Gifts

God has given each of us unique gifts and talents. Encourage the women in your life to use their gifts for God's glory. Help them see that their talents are a reflection of God's goodness and creativity.

3. Pray for Her

Pray for the women in your life to see themselves as God sees them. Ask God to reveal to them the beauty that he sees in them. Pray that they would find their worth and value in him alone.

4. Set an Example

As men, we have a responsibility to set an example of how to treat women. We can do this by valuing them for who they are, not just what they look like. We can show them love and respect, and we can encourage them to see themselves as God sees them.

Conclusion

Beauty is a complex topic, but at its core, it's about more than just looks. God sees us as whole people, with unique gifts and talents, and he values us for who we are, not just what we look like. As men, we have a responsibility to help the women in our lives see themselves as God sees them. We can do this by complimenting their character, encouraging their gifts, praying for them, and setting an example. Let's lift her chin with love and help her see the beauty that God sees in her.