Who can find a wife of noble character?
For her value is far more than rubies.
The heart of her husband has confidence in her,
and he has no lack of gain.
She brings him good and not evil
all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:10-11
For her value is far more than rubies.
The heart of her husband has confidence in her,
and he has no lack of gain.
She brings him good and not evil
all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:10-11
In the same way, wives, be subject to your own husbands. Then even if some are disobedient to the word, they will be won over without a word by the way you live, when they see your pure and reverent conduct. Let your beauty not be external – the braiding of hair and wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes – but the inner person of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight. For in the same way the holy women who hoped in God long ago adorned themselves by being subject to their husbands, like Sarah who obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You become her children when you do what is good and have no fear in doing so.1 Peter 3:1-6
“Woe to you, experts in the law and you Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs that look beautiful on the outside but inside are full of the bones of the dead and of everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you look righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.Matthew 23:27-28
Likewise the women are to dress in suitable apparel, with modesty and self-control. Their adornment must not be with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive clothing, but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God. A woman must learn quietly with all submissiveness.1 Timothy 2:9-11
These verses cut to the core of who I "think" I am. In all honesty, according to what is said in scripture, I would not be so beautiful in God's eyes. It digs deep into the dark recesses of my soul, revealing the ugliness of my own thoughts. Pride masquerades in so many different forms.
I have been forced to deal with reality. I had a moment of sheer ugliness. A thought that seemed so unlike me...a judgement out of a critical, self-righteous spirit. It was so clear. In that moment God gently whispered...Honey, these are all external things. Don't you remember that I care about what is in the heart?
In that moment I had clarity. It was sickening to see it so clearly.
I am superficial. I do judge based on outward appearance. I put far too much weight on my own outward appearance.
Seeing my true self as God does...ouch! It hurts. It is ugly. It is messy. I asked for this. I am thankful for His gentle guidance and gracious truth. I am thankful He is too jealous of me to leave me this way. I want to see the world around me as He does. My whole being wants to change to be more like my Savior. I desire God's view of beauty in the way I see others and myself. Truth is so much better.
Broken...a bit. Crushed...nearly. Hope...absolutely. The Lord is good. He knows our hearts and what we need to come to that place of dependence on Him. I know that in my brokenness there is hope for His beauty to shine through.
Lord, give me your eyes. Let me see things like you see them. Let me find beauty in the things you make beautiful. Help me to be adorned with inner beauty. Help me to fear you, love you, and obey you. I desire that inner beauty that only you can give. Let me see beauty as you do despite the culture I find myself in. Burn away everything that breaks your heart in my thoughts, heart, and life, then replace those things with You. Make me more like you because you are beautiful!
I have been forced to deal with reality. I had a moment of sheer ugliness. A thought that seemed so unlike me...a judgement out of a critical, self-righteous spirit. It was so clear. In that moment God gently whispered...Honey, these are all external things. Don't you remember that I care about what is in the heart?
In that moment I had clarity. It was sickening to see it so clearly.
I am superficial. I do judge based on outward appearance. I put far too much weight on my own outward appearance.
Seeing my true self as God does...ouch! It hurts. It is ugly. It is messy. I asked for this. I am thankful for His gentle guidance and gracious truth. I am thankful He is too jealous of me to leave me this way. I want to see the world around me as He does. My whole being wants to change to be more like my Savior. I desire God's view of beauty in the way I see others and myself. Truth is so much better.
Broken...a bit. Crushed...nearly. Hope...absolutely. The Lord is good. He knows our hearts and what we need to come to that place of dependence on Him. I know that in my brokenness there is hope for His beauty to shine through.
Lord, give me your eyes. Let me see things like you see them. Let me find beauty in the things you make beautiful. Help me to be adorned with inner beauty. Help me to fear you, love you, and obey you. I desire that inner beauty that only you can give. Let me see beauty as you do despite the culture I find myself in. Burn away everything that breaks your heart in my thoughts, heart, and life, then replace those things with You. Make me more like you because you are beautiful!
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