| We have all heard the saying, "Beauty is only skin | | | | matter of time before all the covers fall off and |
| deep", assumed to have been coined by a woman, | | | | what's really inside shines through. |
| but actually first found in ‘The Wife' a poem | | | | How you tend to your spirit and your soul will directly |
| written by Sir Thomas Overbury in the early 17th | | | | affect how you see yourself and how others see |
| century. In it he writes, "All the carnal beauty of my | | | | you. Because of how society portrays beauty, |
| wife, is but skin deep". His purpose was to encourage | | | | women are trying too hard too keep up with that |
| young men of that era what characteristics to look | | | | expectation. When they don't measure up, it causes |
| for in a potential wife and to discourage his good | | | | a distorted image and insecurities get planted in their |
| friend and mentor Robert Carr from marrying | | | | hearts and minds. This reflection is often what |
| Frances Howard, Countess of Essex. Having worked | | | | women manifest outwardly. |
| closely by Carr's side, he recognized Frances lacked | | | | I recently read a piece that expresses this point |
| the qualities of a virtuous woman, possessing many | | | | perfectly in ‘A Jewel in His Crown'. |
| unworthy characteristics. Therefore, advised his | | | | A young woman was buying a new refrigerator.She |
| friend that her beauty was not true beauty, but | | | | wanted top of the line. The salesman showed her a |
| superficial, phony, and surface, thus, we get the | | | | very expensive, their most high end refrigerator, |
| phrase, "beauty is only skin deep." | | | | which she purchased, had delivered to her home and |
| Because of Overbury's plot to keep the couple apart, | | | | filled with food, ice cream, vegetables, milk and other |
| the countess devised a scheme to accuse him of | | | | grocery items. |
| disrespect before the king resulting in Sir Thomas' | | | | The next day, she went to the refrigerator and |
| imprisonment. Despite his discouragement, Carr and | | | | discovered the ice cream was melting down the side, |
| the countess wed anyway and she soon caused | | | | the milk and the other items she purchased had |
| discord between the two friends and conspired to | | | | spoiled and the smell was oozing out from the fridge. |
| poison him while in prison. Suspicion arose in the | | | | She was not happy. After all, she just spent a |
| court, resulting in an investigation. The couple was | | | | fortune for the best refrigerator on the market. She |
| convicted of murder, but spared from execution and | | | | called the store, upset that she had to deal with this |
| sent off to live in the country away from civilization. | | | | issue. The salesclerk dismayed that their top of the |
| Tragically, she died of disease in her early forties and | | | | line fridge was malfunctioning already, asked her, "Is |
| Robert Carr died shortly after. ‘The Wife' | | | | the light on inside?" The woman checked and replied, |
| became popular due to the scandal and went on to | | | | "No the light is not on." He asked her, "Can you hear |
| circulate for the next 60 years in several publications. | | | | if the motor is running?" She listened and in |
| This was a beautiful woman whose internal qualities | | | | frustration, told him "No I don't hear any noise coming |
| took her from the palace to the pit and in the | | | | from the fridge!" Well, Miss, can you just check to |
| process destroyed not only her life, but those | | | | see if the electric cord is plugged in?" The cord had |
| connected with her as well. | | | | not been plugged in! Assuming an attitude she told |
| In our society today, it is hard to avoid the | | | | the salesman "I just spend thousands of dollars, I |
| thousands of products marketed specifically towards | | | | shouldn't have to plug it in!" |
| women. We are exposed to ads through magazines, | | | | Many of us are just like this. We invest in the best |
| billboards, and television of women who look flawless | | | | for our external appearance, while inside we are just |
| and we envy their appearance. What we see is | | | | a rotten mess. In order for that refrigerator to |
| typically airbrush erasing wrinkles and blemishes with | | | | function properly, it needs to be plugged into a |
| one simple stroke. There is a team of hair dressers, | | | | power source. Likewise, our true beauty will only |
| make up artists; wardrobe consultants helping make | | | | transform from the inside out when we are |
| this perfect image. When we compare ourselves to | | | | connected to the right power source. When we are |
| something superficial, suddenly we notice | | | | connected to God's unlimited power source, He will |
| imperfections in our outward appearance magnified in | | | | transform our lives from inside out, rather then us |
| the mirror. Did you know that data reveals that 80% | | | | trying to change from the outside in. God desires |
| of women 18 years and older are unhappy with what | | | | that we be perfect and whole, nothing missing and |
| they see in the mirror. (Social Issues Research | | | | nothing lacking in every area of your life. |
| Center) | | | | When you realize true beauty comes from within, |
| Due in part to this warped outer image, women will | | | | you can begin to develop those inner qualities and |
| go to extremes to beautify themselves outwardly, | | | | regardless of what imperfections you see in the |
| to cover up the insecurity and emptiness inside. Have | | | | mirror, you are going to shine forth that beauty |
| you ever met a woman who you thought was | | | | externally. You may be looking at yourself in the |
| absolutely gorgeous and together from head to toe, | | | | mirror right and feel like the woman portrayed in the |
| nothing out of place; but only when you get to know | | | | refrigerator story, but know this: You were fearfully |
| her, do her true colors come to the surface? I am | | | | and wonderfully (brilliantly and amazingly) made by |
| reminded of another old saying, "Never judge a book | | | | God. "May your spirit, your soul, and your body be |
| by its cover." You can use the newest cosmetic | | | | made complete" (1Thes. 5:23). You are beautifully |
| breakthroughs and sport the latest runway fashion, | | | | created inside out! |
| but if you're messed up on the inside, it's just a | | | | |