Behind the Mask.

"Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes." (1 Peter 3:3)

Weaves, "on fleek" eyebrows & makeup, fly kicks, fresh clothes. Everything about our outside appearance has to be perfect every time we step out. We're a generation of women that believes if the outside is dressed nicely, then everything else is good.  I believe that we should dress nice as women. I believe that it's important to present  yourself as classy, but when it becomes our primary focus, we're in trouble. There's so many beautiful girls, but the majority of us are broken, angry & insecure.

 We do so many things to cover up what's truly inside.

 

Insecurity. Whether we agree or not, a number of us are insecure. The insecurity comes from many different things & many different people. We try to cover it up daily by painting our faces with the most expensive brands of make-up. We try to flatter our body shapes by wearing clothes we believe will attract people/boys to us. We buy extensions to get compliments that will make us feel good about ourselves for a moment. 

Anger. So many of us walk around angry. We're angry with the world, our parents, or another girl that you should be loving as a sister. You're constantly fighting & arguing with others, but because you have a pretty face & the "flyest" outfits, everyone calls you "real". So now instead of addressing the real issue, you've adapted to this image because it pleases people.

Pain. Those things that happened to you as a child & that still continue to happen to you has you emotionally drained. You don't trust anyone. You are afraid to love. You're afraid to tell anyone how you truly feel because you fear no one will care. The pain on the inside is unbearable, but no one will know because you're hiding behind a mask. 

"Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quite spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight." (1 Peter 3:4)

When the masquerade ends & all of the people are gone, what will God see? He won't see the girl with the mask on, but He will definitely see the girl underneath the mask. He sees her now and He desires to change you. Sister, these material things are only temporary & will fade. God wants to give you a beauty that is never ending. He wants to cleanse you, starting with the inside.

I know you're tired of spending countless hours fixing up what's on the outside & you're still jacked up on the inside. I know that attention isn't really what you need. There's only one that can cleanse you, & that's Jesus. If you let Him, He will change your life for the better. I know this to be true because He did it for me. Your salvation & soul is more important than your outer appearance.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised." (Proverbs 31:30)