Developing Inner Beauty

Like many women, I enjoy fashion and beauty.  However, God teaches us that we should be more concerned with our inner beauty.  That can be hard to do in a world that is so focused on the outer.  So today I want to share some ways that we can let our inner beauty shine in hopes that it will inspire each of us to get our inner beauty glow on.

What is Inner Beauty

Inner beauty refers to our demeanor and our conduct, including toward others.  We do not have to struggle to maintain it as we do with outer beauty because it never fades. Jesus said that we should treat others the way we would want to be treated and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  That means, first and foremost, we need to know how to love ourselves in order to know how to love others.  And the only way to know how to love ourselves is to know and believe what God says about us.

This can be hard when we get into comparison, and when we consider what the world defines as beautiful.  We must not spend time on that to the detriment of what really is important, which is what is on the inside.  It is only after we learn to value ourselves as daughters of God that we will be able to extend that same love to others.

“You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.”

– 1 Peter 3:4 NLT

Displaying Inner Beauty

How we spend our time can be a reflection of our inner beauty if we are spending it on things that please God and advance His Kingdom. Women of God are to spend time teaching younger women His will as we are taught in Titus 2:4-5 (NLT):

“These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.”

Mentoring Younger Women

The wisest thing I recommend anyone do is to pray whenever you have a decision to make, even (or especially!) when you ask someone for their advice. God’s guidance is always best, so listen carefully for it. Some other ways to live wisely and be pure include not participating in gossip; keeping private things private rather than posting about it on social media; and demonstrating your trustworthiness by keeping confidences shared with you.

The best way to do good is to put yourself in another person’s shoes and treat them how you would want to be treated in any given situation. Some simple ways to practice the Golden Rule include always saying please, thank you, and excuse me.  Give sincere compliments and accept them graciously when given.  Apologize when you are wrong and accept apologies when they are given, without holding a grudge.

See Related: Becoming a Daughter of God

Training Children

We learn in Proverbs 22:6 (AMP) that we are also to spend time teaching children God’s ways.

“Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

I do not have children, but even those of us who do not still should help parents with the awesome responsibility of parenting. We can do our part whenever we are presented with teachable moments. For example, we can teach our nieces, nephews, godchildren, neighbors how to be a good sport; that they need to get their parents’ permission first; or how to behave in a restaurant.

Helping Others

And we should spend time helping others. Help others, even when no one knows; God will. Provide help when asked if you are able, and do so cheerfully.

“Now [remember] this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to others] will also reap generously [and be blessed]. Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 AMP

Express sympathy and be there for someone when they have suffered a loss, even if just to listen.

Another way to help others is by using your creativity to express beauty and to share it with others. For example, creating pretty place cards for your dinner guests or picking out a thoughtful gift will make them feel special and important.

Above, I spoke about giving a thoughtful gift as a way to display your inner beauty, but how you receive one is another. Taking the time to write a thank you note for every gift you receive helps the giver know that you appreciate the time and effort they expended on your behalf.

What may seem like a small thing to us, could brighten another person’s entire day, or more. We are blessed to be a blessing to others.

See Related: Appreciating Your Own Beauty

Let Your Light Shine

Even though I saved this for last, first impressions are very important.  Greet others with a smile and make eye contact.  Use the person’s name when saying hello.  If you are with someone, introduce her. Including how you know each other in your introduction is a conversation starter that helps the newly introduced feel more at ease.

Dress appropriately for the occasion. It is better that the impression you make be about something you did rather than something you had on. For example, you may not want to wear a T-shirt with obscene language to church or designer clothes to serve in a soup kitchen or on a missions trip. It is a matter of being sensitive to and considerate of those around you.

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

– Jesus (Matthew 5:16 AMP)

Why Inner Beauty is Important

Many of us, myself included, maintain consistent fitness routines. That is great, however, taking care of your temple includes more than just working out and eating right; it also includes knowing that we are not our own and allowing God to work through us to reach others.

When we learn from our mistakes and remember that God makes all things new, we can be of service to Him to help others. Believing what God says about you, that you are His, is beautiful.

Blessings! 👸🏽

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