Introducing the new Beauty Is in the Eye of Our Beholder Blog Series: “Beauty in Being His Reflection” by Suzanne Joffrion.
Beauty in Being His Reflection
If someone asked us to describe ourselves, would Beautiful be a word that comes to mind that we might freely use?
How many positive words would we use to describe ourselves? Are we even comfortable doing that?
Why are we quick to describe all the positive qualities, both inward and outward, about others, but aren’t nearly as confident describing ourselves in that way?
Sidenote: I’m just as guilty as the next woman about this very thing. We discount our own reflections but are quick to see beauty in others.
Perhaps this quote is appropriate to bring to our attention:
“If you can’t see anything beautiful about yourself, get a better mirror.”
Perhaps it’s not the reflection that’s inferior; perhaps our mindset needs to be retrained. Our culture highlights things that Scripture does not. Cultural beauty is promoted as young, thin, svelte, smooth and unwrinkled, perfectly proportioned with perfect hair and makeup. This view is also unfettered by unruly children, or unhappy marriages or disease. It somehow tries to convince us that with enough effort, we can be most of those things….we can have perfect children or grandchildren, an amazing long term marriage and that if we just eat the right food, get the right exercise and take the right supplements that our bodies will be in tip top shape. And then pushes us headlong into a River of Guilt if we aren’t juggling all the things to measure up.
Hear me on this. Society wants us to believe that we are ENOUGH or that with enough effort, we can be ENOUGH. In fact, the suggestion that we are perhaps not enough is frowned upon.
But friend, we are ONLY enough by the grace of God. We are HIS creation, and He made us the way we are. When will we see ourselves in the light of Scripture and not use the warped standard of the world as our measuring stick? When will we TRULY believe that we are indeed His workmanship, His masterpiece, created from cells HE knows all together far better than we can begin to even imagine?
We need to do better and teach better our daughters and granddaughters that the standard that matters most is that we are God’s masterpiece, His Creation and that we are enough IN HIM.
We should work hard to dispel the myths that if we work hard enough, we can BE whatever we want to be, can manifest whatever we want to have and can create a life that is no short of total fulfillment and happiness. These are empty deceptions. Our standards often clash with the cultural norms, or the beliefs that pervade modern day culture.
We must be rooted and grounded in the words of Scripture that tells us in Zephaniah 3:17, “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” He loves us deeply enough that He saves us, He quiets us with His love and He rejoices over us. And it’s not based on our outward appearance, because the HEART is what matters to Him.
We are inherently worth FAR more than the perfect facial features, the sculpted body and figure, and a picture perfect family photo. He chooses us because He loves us, not for any merit on our own part.
So what does your reflection look like? Are you the radiance of His glory with your worth based on what HE declares about you? Friend, I want to encourage you that He rejoices over you; you are His masterpiece, His creation and a daughter of the king. Your value is not based on the shape of your nose, chiseled cheekbones, or svelte figure. It’s based on having a King for a father and a God who rejoices over you. Let THAT be your reflection. Let others see Jesus.
For you see, it has taken me a LONG time to see, feel, and embrace MY own worth. I still struggle with seeing beauty in my own reflection, even though I am convinced that I am God’s masterpiece, His creation and His beautiful reflection. I encourage you NOW to begin your transformation. Don’t wait until you’re nearly 65 to fully believe that you are beautiful and worthy. Know that your beauty exists, not on any merit of your own, but because HE created you that way. He rejoices over you and loves the creation that you are, just AS you are.
Is it time for us all to check our reflections? Let’s use God’s standard as our mirror rather than the world’s definition, shall we?
So what does your reflection look like? Are you the radiance of His glory with your worth based on what HE declares about you? Friend, I want to encourage you that He rejoices over you; you are His masterpiece, His creation and a daughter of the king. Your value is not based on the shape of your nose, chiseled cheekbones, or svelte figure. It’s based on having a King for a father and a God who rejoices over you. Let THAT be your reflection. Let others see Jesus. Suzanne Joffrion #BeautyBeholder Series #innerbeauty #Christianbeauty #encouragement
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Suzanne Joffrion is a mature woman who longs to inspire and champion other mid-life women thru her social media channels of Instagram and Facebook. You can find her posts on www.instagram.com/suzannejoffrion and on FB in her private group (www.facebook.com/groups/beautifuldesigngroup as well as her FB business page, www.facebook.com/limelifewithsuzanne . She is a beauty guide with Limelife by Alcone, skincare, hair and makeup and her website is www.limelifebyalcone.com/suzannejoffrion. Suzanne is a mom of three, and a grandmother named Peaches to seven beautiful grandchildren.
Remember, you are Beautiful!
Beauty Is in the Eye of Our Beholder seeks to help women see themselves as God’s beautiful daughters. Some describe a faithful Christian as glowing. This spiritual glow from the Holy Spirit comes from the inside out, radiating our body, character, conversation, and conduct – our whole being.
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Love the quote! May we reflect the beauty of the Lord and His reflection be seen in us. This is the beauty those around us need. Thank you for sharing this post!
Joanne, you are so right. I will let Suzanne know. She is a lovely writer with a heart for Jesus.
Deborah this is such a great series you have going on! I love your blog and how it is growing. I really enjoyed the part of this post where Suzanne talks about our reflection and how God’s standard is the mirror!!
Jennifer, thank you so much. I love Suzanne’s wisdom too. And thank you for being a part of my blog community- I appreciate you!