There are so many lists, blogs, books and magazine articles giving us the low-down on how to stay and feel beautiful. I don’t know about you but some days, it takes more than mascara and lipstick to make me feel beautiful. The culture that we live in feeds us a lie that the definition of beauty is how flawless our skin is.
Friend, I think it’s time for us to tell that little white liar in our ear, “enough!” What if I told you the truth… that beauty isn’t defined by how you look? Would you believe me?
I’m not telling you to go and throw away all of your make up and nice clothing because honestly, there is nothing wrong with those things at all! Keeping up your appearance in a healthy and moderated way is great and is exactly what we are called to do. What is wrong is when we define ourselves and let others define who we are by what we look like.
I believe in a God who made me in HIS IMAGE. Therefore nothing that I can temporarily do to my skin is going to make me any more beautiful or whole in His eyes.
Today, I am here to let you in on a few not-so-secret-or-popular beauty tips. Trying these steps for at least a month is a guaranteed way of feeling more beautiful in your skin no matter what color, shape, or size it is!
5 Tips for a Beautiful You
1. Keep Yourself Hydrated. Did you know it’s recommended that we should be drinking, in ounces, half our body weight? After three weeks of doing just that, I feel so much lighter, stronger, & I have more energy! But, that isn’t enough. Jesus tells a woman in distress that while drinking water is good for us, there is Water that will forever quench our thirst! This water is living and I’m not talking about the water in the fountain of youth. It’s Living Water able to satisfy every desire in us and it belongs to Jesus alone. Kneeling at the feet of Jesus, our God, creates in us “a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life”. {John 4:14} A woman who drinks from His cup is never thirsty therefore she doesn’t have to drink from broken cisterns anymore. That’s a beautiful thing.
2. Get Plenty of Rest. According to the National Sleep Foundation, not getting enough rest can cause an increase in body mass index, diabetes, heart problems, depression, and a decrease in the ability to pay attention. These are all things that I definitely do not want. I think we can all agree on that? While we surely need physical rest to flourish in life, we need to rest spiritually as well. After going all day, I need a nap. After days of not resting in the presence of the King, I feel so worn out and exhausted. I don’t know how but every time I take a few minutes to rest at Jesus’ feet, I feel rejuvenated, refreshed, and awake! Jesus promises in Matthew 11, ““…Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
3. Be Careful What You Put On. As daughters of the King, we are called to a high standard of the way we present ourselves. Wearing clothing that is respectable and not too “iffy” is the way to go. But beauty is so much more than what we put on our bodies. The way we act, our attitude, is so important. The prettiest face can have the ugliest heart. Let’s make sure that that isn’t us by examining our heart and motives. God helps us by giving us perfect words in what we should strive to “wear”. He calls us to put on the whole armor of God {Ephesian 6:11}, to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ {Romans 13:14} by walking in His Spirit with compassion, kindness, gentleness, and humility. {Colossians 3:12}
4. Eat right. When I eat as naturally as I can, I start to feel my body and mind feeling more beautiful, more clean and bright. You don’t have to count calories or guzzle protein shakes every day to start eating healthy. What goes into our bodies always affects us either for the good or for the bad. I know that I feel loads better when I choose a chicken salad over a sloppy joe. Whatever your preference, you will feel beautiful by eating healthy. The same is true in other aspects of our lives. If we are constantly “eating junk food” like bad television, negative movies or books, hanging out with people aren’t a good influence, or anything else that pulls us away from the narrow path, we should definitely think about changing the way we “eat”, or live. When we put things into our minds and bodies that are pleasing to God, we slowly look more like Christ and that is beyond beautiful. “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
5. Find a daily cleanse. There are many useful cleansing regimens out there that we should be trying out. You can try juicing, a good face wash, or a yummy detox tea. Nevertheless, it’s so important to have your own cleansing habits. It’s also so important to our well-being to look to Jesus to give us a good soul and heart-cleansing. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” After bowing our life to Him, it’s vital to cleanse our hearts daily with His Word, to spend time in prayer with Him, and to spend time in community with fellow believers in Jesus.
By following these five beauty regimens, you are sure to glow with the light of Christ and with the imperishable beauty that is so very precious in our loving Father’s sight! Have a few of your own favorite beauty tips and tricks? I would love to hear what makes you feel beautiful!
About the Author
Katie is a follower of Jesus, a wife, a photographer, & a blogger at Hot Tea and the Empty Seat! She enjoys serving God with her husband specifically serving the homeless community and orphans in Haiti. She and her husband live in Tennessee and have one fur baby. Her purpose in writing is to encourage others to live a life where Jesus is number one & they are focused on Him alone.
