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Hi Rain, yes, I have wondered the same thing – whether our focus on the outside is in some way an attempt to take the focus away from the brokenness and messiness so many of us see on the inside. Not just physical appearance either, but creating a general image of having it “altogether.” It can be so hard letting the guard down sometimes. I take such comfort knowing that God sees it all, every bit of the messiness, and still loves beyond measure. That day by day He brings a little more of His grace, restoration and light into my life. He is so good.
Yeah, I know what you mean about “adding” things to His Word, and the way this can take away from the freedom we feel as we try to receive it. But then, I really love those times where the Holy Spirit brings the Word alive in your heart in a really powerful way, so that it settles there, and you feel such peace :)
Love you, Rain, will email soon, so happy you’re enjoying this series :)

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Such a beautiful point Michelle. Such a good reminder of what counts as most beautiful, humility and meekness before Him.
Hope you’re well friend, love to you xo

This brought to mind the type heart God loves to see:

The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

It’s so contrary to the way we think…humility, no pride whatsoever…hmmm…

I was thinking how the wonderful scriptures that you mentioned in your previous post are true both for our insides and our outsides but how we may often only accept parts of it, like ‘yes I’m fearfully and wonderfully made BUT I can still improve on..’ or yes God made me, BUT I’m so messed up inside, or yes God saved me and made me new BUT… and we keep thinking we need to fix ourselves and we really don’t like what we see inside.

“The best beauty treatment for a woman is a few hours in the presence of God”. Amen, and may we learn as we spend time there, who He made us to be.

Thanks for doing this series Birgit, it has challenged and encouraged me. God bless you:)