As believers, we are highly valuable to God. Because we love and respect God, Who values us highly, we do the best we can to take care of our personal appearance so we can glorify Him and have a positive impact on others.
The way we take care of our personal appearance can reflect the treasure of Christ in us—the gift of holy spirit. God designed the human body, a magnificent piece of workmanship, to house the Christ within.
Psalm 139:14:
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
II Corinthians 4:7:
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
We can show the power of God in Christ in us more clearly by taking care of our physical appearance out of our love and respect for God. As ambassadors for Christ (II Corinthians 5:20), we present ourselves so that people will want to hear the Word that we speak from our heart. We want our personal appearance to complement the inner glow of the Christ inside. This doesn’t mean we need to look perfect every minute of the day or keep up with every fashion trend. Our only responsibility is to do the best we can to take care of our physical body and physical appearance so we can let that Christ in us shine and have a godly impact on those around us.
How can we take ownership of our personal appearance? The following practical tips can help us look, feel, and be our best for God, so our whole being can manifest that Christ in us brighter than ever. We want each category of our life to contribute to our radiance!
Clothing: Proper dress is wearing the right thing at the right place at the right time. The right clothing for the occasion should make us feel more comfortable in any situation. Clothing and shoes that are clean and free from damage can reflect God’s abundance. We can choose styles and colors that are becoming to us. Our sense of style will be as unique as we are. If we aren’t sure about the right style or look, we can ask for help. Sometimes a second opinion from a trusted friend can help us figure out what styles make us shine!
Grooming: Good grooming requires a cleanliness of the entire body. This includes showering or bathing frequently, using a good deodorant, and wearing clean clothes. Teeth should be brushed twice per day. Hair can be styled to help us feel our best and bring out our best features, and manicures can help us get our nails clean and keep them healthy.
Diet, exercise, and posture: Proper diet, exercise, and good posture will help us feel our best from the inside out. A well-balanced diet and well-developed muscles will help us maintain good posture. We can be at ease and carry a graceful posture, which can complement our inner peace and confidence. With faithful practice, good posture can be developed and maintained.
Schedule: Scheduling our day will help give us plenty of time to take care of ourselves physically without having to rush. We can allow time in the morning for dressing and grooming, eating a substantial breakfast, speaking in tongues and praying with our understanding, reading the Bible, and traveling so we can arrive early to our destination. A scheduled and planned day contributes to poise and self-confidence so we can look, feel, and be our best for God in every situation.
We love and respect God, Who made us, so we take care of our physical bodies. Looking our best for God requires effort, but the payoff is well worth it. We will be showing the Christ within, and we will have a godly impact on those around us! By taking care of our physical appearance, we can glorify our Father and shine brighter than ever, standing with our heads held high so everyone can see that Christ in us.
Matthew 5:16:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
We are valuable to God! Because we love and respect Him, we do our best to take care of our personal appearance. We can take ownership of what God gave us to steward—our physical bodies—and glorify God as we show forth the Christ within to everyone around us.