Beauty by the Creator

Nowadays you can't turn on the TV, switch on the radio, or scroll your social media feeds without finding negative comments. With the vast presence of social media platforms at your fingertips it's nearly impossible to escape comments about a woman's "flawed" appearance. As a society, it is sad that celebrating the beauty of people from all walks of life is not the norm in this day and age.

With that being said, I think it's time to get back to the basics. 

First, let's explore what scripture says about ones appearance and what God has said about the topic.

Psalm 139:13-14

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

Song of Songs 4:7

7 You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.

1 Peter 3:3-4

3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, 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.

I don't know about you, but these scriptures clearly explain what the Lord has to say about beauty.

Reading Psalm 139 what stands out to me is the importance placed upon God knitting each of us in our mother's wombs, knowing our inmost being, and being fearfully and wonderfully made. This is a great reminder that every inch, nook, and cranny that makes up each of us was wonderfully made by the hand of the Creator. Using myself as an example this is a great reminder that every smile line, forehead wrinkle, crows foot, stretch mark, and many other changes yet to come all were made during my life that means something. I wouldn't want to erase the scars from the tumbles when I was child playing with friends, or the forehead wrinkles that were created from those difficult times in life that helped me grow, or the crows feet or smile lines that were made every time life brought a moment of laughter or tears, or the stretch marks on my mid-section that came from carrying my child, nor would I want to erase the stretch marks from breastfeeding that are a reminder that God made my body to nourish my child. You see each one of these things tells a story from my life. Why would anyone want to erase these memories? 

Now lets talk about Song of Songs. I choose to view the world with the "glass half full mindset" and look for the positive in everything. When this scripture says you are beautiful and there is no flaw in you, BELIEVE IT! You know why? Because the Lord made us in His own image which means we are not flawed. The Creator DOES NOT make mistakes people so that means WE ARE perfect. Why not turn what society calls negative into a positive and wear those so-called "flaws" with pride? In this life, I choose to wear my "flaws" proudly because the Lord created me this way. 

In 1 Peter, scripture emphasizes how outward beauty is not worth anything in the eyes of our Lord and that inner beauty is what He wants for His children. The Bible depicts many people that were adorned and beautiful on the outside, but were the opposite on the inside.

All too often I see people commenting on photos of others with something negative or saying something negative about themselves. Please remember that God made us all in different shapes, sizes, ethnicities, and those differences make us special. We are all beautiful in our own way so when you or someone online is degrading someone else's beauty or telling someone that they should have surgery to fix themselves, you are talking about God's Creation. Do you want to desecrate the product of the Creator? I think not! Make a difference in your corner of the world by changing this outlook and refrain from disrespecting and degrading each other.

If you are on the receiving end of someone's negative comments, just remember that whomever is making the comment obviously is in a negative place, is not centered, or happy with themselves, and the spirit is definitely NOT in control of their lives. All you can do is pray for people like that. Do not allow their negativity to enter into your life or change your outlook. After all misery loves company and you do not want that!

In closing, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all!