Timeless Beauty - Imperishable Charm

As women there are many unhealthy pressures and expectations placed on us by our society, our family, our friends, and by our very own selves. We're taught that we should maintain a certain size; that we should be more assertive or less forceful with our opinions; that we should be more educated; that should be more successful; that we should be better mothers; and the list goes on and on.

From a young age we're taught that our inner beauty comes from being confident in who we are, from having a positive sense of self, from a combination of qualities that help us feel good about ourselves, from being a really good person, from appreciating our own individual uniqueness, and from recognizing a remarkable quality about ourselves. While there's some truth to all this, God's Word teaches us about INCORRUPTIBLE BEAUTY.

Incorruptible beauty is the type of loveliness that won't disintegrate or decay with age. It's a magnificence that's immortal and everlasting. It's possessing a disposition that is real, truthful, reliable, trustworthy, authentic, transparent, and above suspicion. Most importantly, this kind of inward beauty reflects the very nature of God in our conduct and character.

1 Peter chapter 3, verses 3 and 4 gives us a beautiful description of incorruptible beauty. The Apostle Peter tells us that or "beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of our inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which of great worth in God's sight".

Does having a gentle and quiet spirit mean we shouldn't assert ourselves, or be a go-getter? Absolutely not! It's not about being weak, or shy or silent. It's about having such an inner peacefulness that we can weather any challenges that come our way. It's about being able to love and care for others, even during tough times. It's about not being easily angered or frustrated.

In fact, the author of the book of Proverbs, tells us in chapter 31 that a woman of incorruptible beauty is "industrious, fastidious, frugal, generous, determined, charitable, sympathetic, empathetic, joyful, not concerned with outward charm and outward beauty. She is not self-centred and not selfish". so we can have a gentle and quiet spirit and still accomplish much in our lives.

And last, but certainly not least, the Apostle Paul teaches us in Galatians chapter 5 that "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance (patience), kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control". He continues to say that "since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other".

These three passages in the bible which perfectly describe the idea of incorruptible beauty, present a tall order which seems an insurmountable achievement for any of us. But we must persevere, fight the good fight, and run our race to the finish line, because our Heavenly Father sees our feminine hearts, and as we attempt to follow his recipe for incorruptible beauty in our lives, he helps us become women after his own hear, true women of excellence, whose outward beauty is a reflection of what is happening on the inside, the depth of our hearts and souls, mirrors his character, and reflects a timeless beauty and imperishable charm that we will take with us into the next life!