I was not sure whether I wanted to write about the subject I will address today, but as a person whose spiritual gift is prophet and as someone who desires others to live their lives mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically healthy, I am going to proceed.
As I sat people watching on the recent cruise our family enjoyed, I came to an interesting conclusion. There were an significant number of men on the ship who were married to, or in the company of much younger looking women. Knowing that our eyes will often deceive us I looked for why this would be so. It really did not take me very long to realize there was a significant amount of chemicals being applied to the hair and bodies of women to create this perception. When I discovered the cost of two small bottles of body lotion our family won while on the cruise, I realized there is likely a fortune being made by the cosmetic industry. Women poison their bodies in an attempt to appear more beautiful. Why I use the word poison is, we read the caustic ingredient list on the high end bottles we received. The ingredients in that product were nothing anyone should abuse their body, the temple of God, with.
Once in the airport for our flight home I noticed it seemed to be about the same percentage of older men connected to younger looking women. So I decided to do a sample poll to determine what percentage of women appeared to be actually engaged in the process of poisoning themselves in an attempt to look younger. This was not a standardized, double blind test, it was simply an unofficial head count (literally). My findings determined that 9 out of every 10 women engage in at least the process of placing colouring on their hair. This took into account only those women who coloured to eliminate grey, and did not include those who were younger, who simply chose to change the colour.
I wonder how many of these individuals ever consider the cost, beyond the financial loss, to their health. Are they reading the labels? Are they asking questions about the products being offered to them? What are the long term side effects that are accumulating in their bodies? Do they care, or is the momentary appearance value all they consider?
I do not want to let the men completely off the hook here, because the cosmetic industry has not abandoned its attempts to influence them as well. Men, have you considered the effects of what is in the products you buy for that special lady in your life? I am not opposing the value and importance of looking your best, but suggesting you might look for better options and in fact demand better and healthier options in the process.
What is important to understand is physical beauty is always fleeting. It is a part of life. There is more value in the building of inner beauty and personal character that has far greater staying power. The Apostle Peter’s recommendation found in1 Peter 3:3-4 is, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. {4} Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
Remember this article is about finding the balance between the value and benefit of beauty as opposed the cost to your health. Do not sacrifice your health on the altar of physical beauty.