Tuesday, January 25, 2011

GUEST POST: Beauty, by Dawna


I have a confession to make: I recently sought the opinion of three beauty experts. 

Now, before you go and pass any judgment let me explain. I am like so many of my dear weary sisters that feel inferior in the beauty department. But, I have recently had a change of heart all because of one beautiful women. 

You know her, we have all met “her.” She's the pretty one in the room, but this time she was different because she was real. It started when I attended my first book club. I walked in and there “SHE” was, Beautiful, Striking, the kind of awesome beauty that makes you stare, you just can’t help it! 


I was pondering her beauty on the drive home, “What makes her so appealing?” I knew instantly that she was not “Cosmo” material or next up for a Runway model position, no those girls have nothing compared to the lady I sat across from. 

That led me on a quest to seek professional help, to find the answer to the question we have asked many times “what is beauty?” 

So, I dialed up-- I prayed and asked God, The son, and the Holy Spirit, to show me and teach me beauty. This, my dear sisters I highly recommend you ask! The beauty that God showed me you can not acquire at any Surgical or Dermatological office, Salon or Spa. I would love to go into great detail about all the countless convictions that I received, however this is a short story, one of individual reflection, and one I believe, we all need to take to heart. 

You see when I looked upon this lovely woman I was not just seeing a beautiful shell of a body; I was witnessing the Glory of the Lord shining through a dear sister. What I saw in her was Love, Peace, Faithfulness, Joy, Goodness, Patience, Self control, and Kindness. Sound familiar? Turns out fruits are a great beauty agent. 

Ezekiel put it this way...

 "because the splendor I had given you made your 
beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign LORD."  
(Ezekiel 16:14, NIV)

The definition of Splendor reads-- Magnificent appearance or display; grandeur. The verdict is simply the fruits of the spirit, and Gods splendor manifests into outward beauty. 

We dear sisters can be indwelt with THE Magnificent, the very essence of beauty, the Creator of beauty; we have been given His splendor and are in the process of being perfected. 

So, the next time Satan whispers that you don’t measure up, I want you to do something-- tell Satan he is a LIAR! Go ahead say it out loud; we know we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14 NIV).

Do not fall for the false measurement of this world, look to the ONLY Expert, GOD. 

Now, with all that being said take pride, and take hold of his gift and make people stare!










ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 
Dawna is a dear, sweet sister in the Lord who is following His lead to write her heart. She is a treasure hunting, God lovin' woman. Wife, Mother, Cook, Hiker, Hunter, Runner, and Chocolate Lover!! Praise Jesus!


16 comments:

  1. I like what you said... "false measurements of this world". There is so much pressure to focus on the outward that it steals our inner peace and joy. Thank you for sharing. Blessings on your day.

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  2. So so true and having just come from Joy, I hate to recall how often I stay home or lose any joy as I look in the mirror and just see an overweight body. God understands. Unfortunately His people need to read what you have said. A dear friend told me last week...just have one more try...try light and easy...you have such a beautiful face.......
    And she thinks she accepts me.
    I so try to hold on to what God sees...but that was very relevant tonight.

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  3. This was so good. How creative too. Hope this finds you doing well.

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  4. Thank you. What a great reminder to me that God looks at our heart. If our heart is right, the beauty flows out!

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  5. Great post!

    We are beautiful because we are made in His image. We are loved and cherished by the Most High King.

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  6. Amen! I don't know why we consult anyone other than our Creator on the topic of our beauty... inside and out, He is the only One who really knows. He is the only one we can really trust! Lovely, heart-filled post Dawna... thanks for sharing with us today!

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  7. "So, the next time Satan whispers that you don’t measure up, I want you to do something-- tell Satan he is a LIAR! Go ahead say it out loud; we know we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14 NIV)."

    THIS was fantastic! It was exactly what we WOMEN need to hear! Somewhere along the lines we've fallen for the tricks of the enemy that seduce us into thinking we are not what HE SAYS WE ARE!
    wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!
    thank you for sharing!
    peace,
    lori

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  8. Thank you all so much, it breaks my heart to hear how many sweet sisters are affected by this, something that help's me is Romans 8:12 we shouldn't ( I know easier said than done), but we shouldn't live according to flesh,, according to man's law and measurements. I have my days but when i eat right, when I exercise I do it for my God, I do it for my health and for what he has set before me. No longer do I put myself in bondage of quilt,and shamefulness (compare to other women). Why would I be ashamed of "MY" Body? God will only help me become the best "me". My prayers are with you and my heart reaches out.

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  9. Awesome post! I want to show Jesus through me with the inner beauty that shines! :)

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  10. So grateful that God's splendor makes my beauty perfect. Thank you so much for this post.

    Happy WFW!

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  11. Dawna, I love the statement you made and verse you quoted :

    "So, the next time Satan whispers that you don’t measure up, I want you to do something-- tell Satan he is a LIAR! Go ahead say it out loud; we know we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14 NIV)"

    We all suffer from feelings of inadequacy at some point, and this summarizes the Truth of the situation beautifully.

    Have a Blessed Day!

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  12. So beautifully said. I especially love: "Do not fall for the false measurement of this world, look to the ONLY Expert, GOD."
    Thank you so much for sharing how many of us feel.
    Be blessed :)

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  13. Very uplifting, thank you for sharing.
    Happy WFW !!

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  14. Thanks for sharing...it is empowering just to be able to say with confidence that we know Satan is a LIAR. And how great you can feel about yourself when you know that He loves and esteems you...

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  15. Blessings to all of you, Dawna, Kelli, Heidi and all my beautiful sisters in Christ! Thank you so much for this great, creative post on BEAUTY! The verses were wonderful and so uplifting... already I can see my aged and wrinkled face with a new look!!! :0) Looks like many of us like the clincher to satan and that we can use Psalm 139:14 to say...in your face... thanks for helping my inside beauty to glow from my heart.
    I needed this to know that I'm still His temple!

    Bless you for sharing and visiting me!

    Peace and JOY,
    Peggy

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  16. Thank you Dawna for letting the Lord use you in such a mighty way...
    You are gorgeous by the way, just goes to show that Satan can deceive anyone!
    Love
    Laura

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