True Beauty

As a hairdresser, outward appearance has always been a top priority. I am grateful to be blessed with good hair and skin. At age 12, my mother was concerned that my desire to wear makeup would cause skin problems. So, she gave me a beauty regimen to follow daily. I stuck to it religiously, morning and night. Its four basic tenets were cleanse, tone, moisturize and protect.

(2008) One morning, looking at my face in the mirror, the Lord rebuked my pride. This scripture came to mind: “The Lord said to Samuel, “do not look on his appearance, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Whoa!

I was appalled at how God saw my heart! My beauty had been only skin deep, and my priorities needed to change.

Because it is written in the book of Jeremiah that the heart of man is desperately wicked, I felt compelled to pay more attention to my heart. I knew it must become my top priority. I decided I needed a “beauty regimen for my heart”. So, here are the four steps I now follow to this day.

Cleanse:

Although the blood of Jesus washes away our sin, prayer and meditation will “keep” our heart clean. We can pray: “Search me O God and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts! And see if there be any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139: 23-24) Then, listen!

I prayed, repenting of my pride over my vanity, and some harsh words I had spoken the previous day. Father, forgive me, please change my heart to be more like You.

Tone:

Toner removes all traces of residue after cleansing. This part of the Lord’s prayer came to mind: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” (Matthew 6:12) We must forgive others, if we expect our Father in heaven to forgive us. Forgiveness keeps the residue off our heart.

Moisturize:

My new heart of flesh is kept supple, nourished with daily saturation, drenched in the Word of God. “I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)

Protect:

You must guard your heart, because everything you do or say comes from it. (Proverbs 4:23) Prayers of thanksgiving and praise will bring the peace of God and guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4: 6-7)

Adhering to these four steps of this beauty regimen brought about changes in me. The fruit of the Spirit began to mature, and vanity was no longer my top priority.

How about you? Could you benefit from a beauty regimen for your heart? I encourage you to try it! Wouldn’t you love to hear God say: Now, here is a woman (or man) after my own heart!