Inward Character

Passage –  Your beauty should not consist in externals such as fancy hairstyles, gold jewelry or what you wear; rather, let it be the inner character of your heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit. In God’s sight this is of great value. 1 Peter 3:3-4

Restated in my own words – Don’t put so much focus on outward beauty with hairstyles, jewelry and clothing. God is pleased with the inward character that doesn’t perish like a gentle and quiet spirit.

Application in my life – I’m usually quite loud and bold. I am abrasive and harsh. Gentle and quiet are not generally words people would use to describe me, except maybe when I pray. I can ask for bold things but my spirit is gentle and quiet.

Maybe where God is reframing that characteristic starts in the public quiet place of corporate prayer. I never paid attention to how I change in prayer but two people have mentioned it. Even as my prayers get bolder, the passion I feel is quite but forceful inside of me bursting to come out.

Your response to God – Lord I want to be the person You designed me to be and a woman who cares more about drawing people to You than to me. However that looks with us, I’m OK. I’m not one who cares about adorning beauty with keeping up with hairstyles, clothes and jewelry. I want my outward character to be drawn to You. I know there is still much work to do there, but I am open to the process.