Inner Beauty

Elise Aleman
Beauty and the Beast. 2017.
22 x 30 inches. unframed
Color Pencil on Arches Paper

Who doesn’t like to dress up in a fun costume and pretend to be someone else? It’s fun until it’s not. When I was little I, like many other girls, played with Barbie dolls. There’s nothing wrong with that until the tall slender unrealistic perfect look is reinforced by the relentless media, convincing us of what beauty should be.

Don’t be fooled, it’s not the doll or even the media that messes with our self-esteem—it’s the enemy known as the Deceiver, the Father of Lies, the Beast, etc. His purpose is “to steal and kill and destroy” you. He’ll do it by any means necessary. But don’t look for a red man with pointed ears and a pitchfork, he hides in unexpected places and in plain sight.  

There is hope. When you put your trust in Jesus the blinders fall off your eyes. Christ is also known by many names including the Truth! If you have exterior beauty enjoy it but that is not the beauty the Lord is interested in. “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, . . . Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”  Don’t put your worth in Satan’s beastly lies put it where it belongs. You are created in the images of God adorned with all His glorious beauty.

— Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray that you would break the strongholds of this world and Satan’s lies about who I am. Fill me with your glory and honor. Give me eyes to see myself as you see me, a new a perfect creation made in Your image. More valuable than rubies and gold.  

Scripture references: John 10:10; John 14:6; 1 Peter 3:3-4; Genesis 1:27; Hebrews 2:6-8; 1 Samuel 16:7