Christian Living

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We have all heard the saying, "Beauty is only skin deep", assumed to have been coined by a woman, but actually first found in ‘The Wife' a poem written by Sir Thomas Overbury in the early 17th century. In it he writes, "All the carnal beauty of my wife, is but skin deep". His purpose was to encourage young men of that era what characteristics to look for in a potential wife and to discourage his good friend and mentor Robert Carr from marrying Frances Howard, Countess of Essex. Having worked closely by Carr's side, he recognized Frances lacked the qualities of a virtuous woman, possessing many unworthy characteristics. Therefore, advised his friend that her beauty was not true
beauty, but superficial, phony, and surface, thus, we get the phrase, "beauty is only skin deep."

Because of Overbury's plot to keep the couple apart, the countess devised a scheme to accuse him of disrespect before the king resulting in Sir Thomas' imprisonment. Despite his discouragement, Carr and the countess wed anyway and she soon caused discord between the two friends and conspired to poison him while in prison. Suspicion arose in the court, resulting in an investigation. The couple was convicted of murder, but spared from execution and sent off to live in the country away from civilization. Tragically, she died of disease in her early forties and Robert Carr died shortly after. ‘The Wife' became popular due to the scandal and went on to circulate for the next 60 years in several publications. This was a beautiful woman whose internal qualities took her from the palace to the pit and in the process destroyed not only her life, but those connected with her as well.

In our society today, it is hard to avoid the thousands of products marketed specifically towards women. We are exposed to ads through magazines, billboards, and television of women who look flawless and we envy their appearance. What we see is typically airbrush erasing wrinkles and blemishes with one simple stroke. There is a team of hair dressers, make up artists; wardrobe consultants helping make this perfect image. When we compare ourselves to something superficial, suddenly we notice imperfections in our outward appearance magnified in the mirror. Did you know that data reveals that 80% of women 18 years and older are unhappy with what they see in the mirror. (Social Issues Research Center)

Due in part to this warped outer image, women will go to extremes to beautify themselves outwardly, to cover up the insecurity and emptiness inside. Have you ever met a woman who you thought was absolutely gorgeous and together from head to toe, nothing out of place; but only when you get to know her, do her true colors come to the surface? I am reminded of another old saying, "Never judge a book by its cover." You can use the newest cosmetic breakthroughs and sport the latest runway fashion, but if you're messed up on the inside, it's just a matter of time before all the covers fall off and what's really inside shines through.
How you tend to your spirit and your soul will directly affect how you see yourself and how others see you. Because of how society portrays beauty, women are trying too hard too keep up with that expectation. When they don't measure up, it causes a distorted image and insecurities get planted in their hearts and minds. This reflection is often what women manifest outwardly.

I recently read a piece that expresses this point perfectly in ‘A Jewel in His Crown'. A young woman was buying a new refrigerator. She wanted top of the line. The salesman showed her a very expensive, their most high end refrigerator, which she purchased, had delivered to her home and filled with food, ice cream, vegetables, milk and other grocery items.
The next day, she went to the refrigerator and discovered the ice cream was melting down the side, the milk and the other items she purchased had spoiled and the smell was oozing out from the fridge. She was not happy. After all, she just spent a fortune for the best refrigerator on the market. She called the store, upset that she had to deal with this issue. The salesclerk dismayed that their top of the line fridge was malfunctioning already, asked her, "Is the light on inside?" The woman checked and replied, "No the light is not on." He asked her, "Can you hear if the motor is running?" She listened and in frustration, told him "No I don't hear any noise coming from the fridge!" Well, Miss, can you just check to see if the electric cord is plugged in?" The cord had not been plugged in! Assuming an attitude she told the salesman "I just spend thousands of dollars, I shouldn't have to plug it in!"

Many of us are just like this. We invest in the best for our external appearance, while inside we are just a rotten mess. In order for that refrigerator to function properly, it needs to be plugged into a power source. Likewise, our true beauty will only transform from the inside out when we are connected to the right power source. When we are connected to God's unlimited power source, He will transform our lives from inside out, rather then us trying to change from the outside in. God desires that we be perfect and whole, nothing missing and nothing lacking in every area of your life.

When you realize true beauty comes from within, you can begin to develop those inner qualities and regardless of what imperfections you see in the mirror, you are going to shine forth that beauty externally. You may be looking at yourself in the mirror right and feel like the woman portrayed in the refrigerator story, but know this: You were fearfully and wonderfully (brilliantly and amazingly) made by God. "May your spirit, your soul, and your body be made complete" (1Thes. 5:23). You are beautifully created inside out!

Refrigerator story adapted from A Jewel in His Crown, Pricilla Shirer
Social Issues Research Center: http://www.sirc.org/publik/mirror.html
"The Wife": 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica, Thomas Overbury


Duong Sheahan is founder of http://www.beautysecretsspiritsoulbody.com. Empowering women to achieve optimal health in spirit, soul & body. (for more resources and articles, visit website).

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