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From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Dear Rev. Graham: Outward beauty is praised in our society, but seldom do people look deeper into the quiet and peaceful spirits of others that are saints of God, but perhaps without beautiful faces. How does God look at us? – B.P.

Dear B.P.: The world bombards us with messages about what is beautiful and handsome. It sets standards for our physical appearance and our material success that penetrate our minds and shape our personalities and our goals — often without us even realizing it. It’s difficult to ignore these loud and ever-present voices as they speak to us from magazines, television, movies, the internet, and advertising.
The problem is, these messages will lead us astray. Scripture warns that beauty should not come from outward adornment (see 1 Peter 3:3). To cope with all this, we must first ask God to help us be content with the way we are. Some of the most unhappy people possess great beauty or wealth, yet their lives are empty and without meaning.
God loves each person just as they are! The Bible makes it clear that true beauty comes from the beauty of a godly character. “The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, [is] of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:4, NIV).
We must take care of our bodies, which the Bible calls the “temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 6:19). Most important is to take care of our souls, our inner self, by feeding on the Word of God and letting His Spirit transform us from within.
Let’s seek ardently the kind of life that reflects the beauty of Jesus and marks us as being what saints ought to be.
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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)