Inner Beauty
Scripture Reading — 1 Peter 3:1-6
Your beauty … should be that of your inner self.
—1 Peter 3:3-4
George, an older Christian man, came to dislike his body hair. So he bought a bottle of hair removal cream, and smeared it like tanning oil over most of his body.
Within three days his entire body felt like it was on fire. He went to a doctor, who prescribed a powerful medicine. George confided to me, “Even then, I was still worried about the hair, so I asked the doctor what my options were. He suggested a few things, all of which were very costly. Then the doctor smiled kindly, and said, 'Or, you could just go with what God gave you.’” As George told me this, we laughed at the simple truth of it.
Lots of people want to be exceptionally beautiful. Plastic surgery, botox—there’s so much pressure over outward appearance.
Peter, in the midst of giving other instructions, presents a deeply appealing truth about inner beauty. Wouldn’t it be great if these words were on every bathroom mirror? I wouldn’t say it’s a great sin to get liposuction or botox injections. It’s just that it won’t make you happier—at least not in the way God has in mind.
Be thankful for your body, and take good care of it. Nourish it in a godly way. Stay fit. Dress attractively. Wear a smile.
Go with what God gave you. You’ll be happier.
Lord, you have given me my earthly body. Thank you for your gifts to me. Help me not to covet others, and to be content, thankful, and confident in my soul for the way you made me. Amen.
About the author — Keith Mannes
Keith Mannes serves as pastor at Highland Christian Reformed Church in McBain, Michigan. Keith and his wife, Alicia, recently celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary,
and they are thankful for their three children—Eben, Charis, and Breanna.
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