Beauty Redefined

The Proverbs 31 Woman is probably one of the most misunderstood passages of Scripture. No matter how many books or blog posts we can write even videos we can watch that teaches us about her, we have a tendency to roll our eyes at the thought of another teaching on this character found in Scripture.

I don't blame you. I have done the same thing. Especially if she is taught during a Mother's Day sermon. To our pastors, we love you so much. But know we are rolling our eyes at you. haha! (Just kidding. Kind of. We love you!!!)

May I spend a brief moment to remind you that the Proverbs 31 woman you see in your precious Bible, what you see listed there is not our job description. It bears repeating. She does things, absolutely. But it is not our job description. I believe God placed her in the word for a purpose, and I don't believe it was to shame us into being this super human type of woman and wife and mother. I don't believe it was for our shame at all.

It was so we could see her character. She was not loved or revered or the most beautiful among women because she fulfilled her entire checklist. No, friends. She may have done all of those things, but her heart is what gets the attention. Her heart was postured before the Lord. Her heart believed God and who He was. She longed to serve Him and obey Him. So naturally, out of the overflow of her love and devotion to her God, she did the things she did because she also loved her family.

I love how it says in Proverbs 31:30 (which is a verse we have all written down or highlighted in our bibles at some point!)

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain;

But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Can I encourage you, sister friend? It does not matter your to do list. It really does not matter whether you are the most beautiful, the most popular, the most liked on Instagram or Facebook. Going viral does not equal your value, and it certainly does not define who you are or your message to the world. You don't have to use any type of product or purchase anything that tries to sell you the message that you are only beautiful if you use their product. They don't get a say in how God sees you.

You love Him? You desire to love Him, and love His people? My friend, you are altogether beautiful in His sight.

A woman who fears the Lord will be praised. Not the one with the most checkmarks on her to-do list. If our worth was equal to our works, then what on earth would we need a Savior for?

Does this mean that as women, it is frivolous and useless to wear makeup or do our hair or have beauty routines? Of course not. Is there a danger where we can get caught up in our own vanity and believe the false messages from the enemy about how our appearance equals our worth?

Yes. And it happens everyday. I see it happen in myself from time to time. We are not immune, especially if we are not consistently spending the time knowing the character of God, so that we can allow Him to transform us. This is an intentional practice. This is a daily practice.

We are heirs of the Kingdom of God. We are God's daughters. He has defined what is beautiful. We get to decide what kinds of messages we will take hold of in our minds and hearts. What roots will you be planting in your life and in your homes? For your daughters? For your sons? Let's push back on societies view of what it means to be beautiful. Let's seek desperately to be women who are loving, humble, servant leaders, nurturers, care takers. Let's be women who spend the time listening and uplifting one another instead of tearing down. Let's be women who are known for speaking with all faith and boldness the truth. Let's be women who disciple those around us, and disciple our loved ones. Let's also be teachable women. Let's be women who love our husbands and love our families. Let's be women who don't need to have all of the things and do all of the things to feel valued or worthy.

God sees you. He loves you. He sent His Son to die for you so that you could have fellowship with Him. And most importantly, remember that a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Love Him. Follow Him. Serve Him. Love His people.

In Him,

Tiffany Rhea