City Life Starter

By Aisha Darwesh

The Word: 1 Peter 3:1-7 (The Passion Translation)

And now let me speak to the wives. Be devoted to your own husbands, so that even if some of them do not obey the Word of God, your kind conduct may win them over without you saying a thing. 2 For when they observe your pure, godly life before God, it will impact them deeply. 3–4 Let your true beauty come from your inner personality, not a focus on the external. For lasting beauty comes from a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is precious in God’s sight and is much more important than the outward adornment of elaborate hair, jewelry, and fine clothes.

5 Holy women of long ago who had set their hopes in God beautified themselves with lives lived in deference to their own husbands’ authority. 6 For example, our “mother,” Sarah, devoted herself to her husband, Abraham, and even called him “master.” And you have become her daughters when you do what is right without fear and intimidation.

7 Husbands, you in turn must treat your wives with tenderness, viewing them as feminine partners who deserve to be honored, for they are co-heirs with you of the “divine grace of life,” so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

As Ji posted about at the start of our discussion on gender, men and women are like peanut butter and jelly. Although they are inherently different, they work so well together!

Today I’d like to dive into the beauty and influence of a godly woman. Not to worry all my brothers in the faith reading this post, hopefully, you’ll glean some wisdom out of this too!

The scripture above states it so eloquently: “let your true beauty come from your inner personality, not a focus on the external. For lasting beauty comes from a gentle and peaceful spirit, which is precious in God’s sight…” (1 Peter 3:3-4).

Let’s face it, beauty is important to women. We spend exorbitant amounts of time going shopping for clothes, styling our hair, doing our makeup, and whatever else it takes to look good. But let me ask you this: do you think it’s possible we as women spend a little too much time and energy on our outward appearance, while on the inside, we let ourselves go?

There are some women who wouldn’t dream of leaving the house without doing their makeup, but they have not examined their own hearts and clothed themselves with the love and joy of the Father.

Do you know what causes God’s head to turn when you walk by? A gentle and peaceful spirit.

This is the ultimate way to adorn yourself inwardly and the best part of all, it doesn’t fade or diminish with time. God wants you to cultivate a life of inner beauty and inner stillness. It’s only from a place of stillness that we can hear clearly from God and reflect His glory.

Imagine your soul is like a pool of water. If the waters are stirred up and disturbed, whatever image is reflected in that pool will look distorted. That’s what happens when we give ourselves over to fear and worry. We don’t see things the way they are. Worse, we lose sight of God.

But praise be to God, His voice is over the waters. God is constantly speaking to us. This is how we can steady ourselves at any moment–by tuning into the voice of God. In doing so, you will begin to exude the quiet confidence that comes from completely trusting God with your life. And that kind of beauty is not something you can buy at the mall!

Application

Think about what you’re thinking about. What is causing you worry or distress? Take a moment to pray about it. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.

Begin to relax in His Presence. Play a worship song or read a passage of Scripture. Be enticed by His beauty. Make a conscious effort not to worry and listen for God’s instructions on that matter that is troubling you.

Be ready to obey whatever He tells you to do. Follow peace. Remember to stop worrying. Let the Lord’s gentle whisper guide you into all truth.

Prayer

Father God, You are so beautiful. I am so consumed with You in this moment. I want to quiet myself in Your Presence and walk in the unforced rhythms of Your Grace. You lead, I’ll follow. In Jesus Name, Amen.