All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others

Struggle with Beauty

I am in a struggle for the past couple of months with regards to "beauty". I lack in the beauty area and have worn makeup for many years to try and make myself appear more "presentable". I am being pulled in one way to stop wearing makeup altogether but in another way, I feel like I won't look good enough in the workplace or in public. Does anyone else have this kind of struggle? Is this a spiritual thing I am struggling with?

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Carla on May 16, 2011 at 10:40am

Hi Michelle,

Yes, I struggle in this way very much. I've been praying about it...and I too feel torn. I believe that God is revealing certain things to me over this:

1) He created all things beautiful, and He sees us as beautiful. He doesn't look at His Creation in the same way that people do. He told me that He does not make mistakes. (consider some insects that we may call ugly--they are beautiful)

2) We are created for a purpose, and for His good pleasure. When His will is done in our lives, we can't help but be beautiful.

3) Today, something was put in front of me about the dangerous of make-up and the chemicals (arsenic for example) that are sometimes used in make-up. They can cause serious problems like cancer and other health related issues.

4) We are beautiful to the Father because He looks at us and sees Jesus.

5) It doesn't matter what others think, only what God thinks

6) If we want to wear make-up, that is a personal choice for us.. Beloved, make sure you are not doing it to be 'good enough' or 'acceptable enough'. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.. God made you just the way you are.

7) The fact that you posted this discussion is an answer to prayer for me.. because God is using it to let me know that I am not the only one who struggles with the same issue. I believe that many women have this same issue...satan has been busy to tear women down..and we've gotten to the point that we believe the lies of 'not good enough' over God's truth of 'fearfully and wonderfully made.'

I have decided to wear make-up because my husband likes it when I do...especially when we are going out somewhere. One of his preconceived notions of what i may look like as a Chrstian when I gave my heart to the Lord years ago was that I would become 'dowdy--ugly' not caring about my appearance.

The Lord has impressed it on my heart that true beauty comes from within. The JOY of the Lord is beautiful in us...and smiles are always in style. On the other hand, when I take extra time to wear makeup..do my hair etc.. I know that my husband appreciates it, because it do it for him. A women who is godly is beautiful on the inside and the outside.. makeup is okay to use if it matter to your personal circumstances.. Don't let anything be a barrier to the people who are close to you knowing Christ. In everything you do, do it for God's Glory.

In my case, I wear make-up to show my husband that I have not stopped caring about my personal appearance like he thought I would.

When I first came to the Lord I didn't wear makeup for a long time because I spent alot of time crying out of joy for my salvation..just thankful for Jesus saving me.. Now I'm thankful, just not so emotional...so my makeup is not running off my face. :-) When I started wearing it again I would forget and rub my eyes...rubbing the makeup all over the place. :-) what a mess!

Anyway... now I've got myself together a bit....even though I still spontaneously cry when I pray, now I don't care as much if my makeup runs.

8) being healthy on the inside helps too... Eating the right foods and exercising will help us glow from the inside out. I continually need strength in this area.

9) People will always judge from the wrong perspective and the wrong motives. It's hard to stop caring what they think..but I believe that God wants to get to that point.

If you do decide to wear makeup..decide to do so from a place of freedom rather than bondage.

Love you sis in Christ.. Bless you beloved.

~Carla

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Carla on May 16, 2011 at 10:57am

Yes.. absolutely.

So i suppose we could also say.. If we decide to stay away from makeup, we have to be careful to avoid being self-righteous about it (pride).

Thank the Lord He has given us the freedom to decide.

I have a couple items of organic makeup.. it doesn't apply (go on) as well as the others. Perhaps they are still perfecting it.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on May 16, 2011 at 10:56am

You would think a guy has no opinion here, about this topic, but we are living in a time when men have "man make up" hahaha, so some of us get it, and no I do not wear makeup, thank you very much hahaha, but I understand your question.

First and foremost - you are a very good looking sister/woman, so you are tripping saying you lack in that department, my girl is the most beautiful woman alive, but you are pretty. Moving on, before this becomes creepy hahaha As you know our beauty is to be from within, as beautiful Sister Carla has mentioned. Our adornments are the fruit of the Spirit, which make us attractive people.

I have a question for you sisters, what is causing you guys to be torn or pulled in this issue? There is nothing in the word that states women shouldn't ware makeup, so what is that about? Why is makeup a struggle?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Carla on May 16, 2011 at 11:13am

David, It's truly a 'girl' thing. I think most women struggle in this area. There is so much in the world to tell women they are not 'good enough'.. magazines, hollywood.. etc... While we can rationalize that this stuff is false.. the message of it sinks down deep. I believe ultimately it is the effects of the fall.. Jesus died to redeem this too. I am thankful for the Holy Spirit. He is the one who makes us beautiful with Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control. I like the feedback from people that I possess these attributes far more than someone telling me I look nice... but the enemy has had success in tearing women down.. Now I believe God is building us up, but it doesn't happen over night.

as a side note--- even a women's 'self-confidence' is usually a cover for not feeling 'good enough'. This is evident in ways that they try to overcompensate through appearance, intelligence, success.. it's all striving to be 'good enough'. We need to get to the point that we are 'good enough' in Christ. But not by our own goodness--HIS goodness in us. It's helpful now that we know what 'good enough' looks like, so we can see the end result.. personally, I'm just not there yet. God is working on me though. :-)

ps--i hate it when men wear makeup-- because it causes me to be judgemental..and i don't like seeing that in myself-- i have to repent... Therefore, I'm glad you are not wearing makeup.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on May 16, 2011 at 11:38am

hahaaha I am glad I don't ware make up either, well unless just for man counts as make up hahahha I am naturally beautiful hahahha hahahha so I don't need it hahahha (don't you comment Ama, i am just kidding girl) oh man I crack me up, I tell you hahahha

Thanks for sharing Carla.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Carla on May 16, 2011 at 11:53am

hehehe..

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David Velasquez on May 16, 2011 at 11:57am

hahaha hahaha youre so fun Ama - I love you girl -

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Judy's Free on May 16, 2011 at 11:56am

There’s nothing wrong with putting your best self forward. Guess it comes down to motive. I’ve never felt pretty, but my heart is kind and my smile is genuine since coming to Christ.

Think I’m very fortunate here, my honey prefers me Not to wear makeup. This is especially good since I’m allergic to most of it. J Sometimes wish I could wear it for more than 2 hours at a time.

In Christ

Judy