Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 1 Peter 3:3-4
What does it mean to be a man or a woman? Our world is confused about the answer to that question.
Ari makes her home in the capital city of Mongolia, but she’s struggled with a real-life issue many are confused about—she’s unsure who she is. Ari describes herself as “a little masculine.” She admits, “For me, it always felt better to wear clothes like men. It was simpler and easier to relate to boys rather than girls when I studied at university. So, sometimes I wondered why God wanted me to be a woman.”
Ari follows Jesus and listens to a local Christian radio station for teaching and encouragement in her faith. A devotional program about celebrating femininity caught her attention. “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes,” said the presenter, quoting the Bible book of 1 Peter. “You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God” (1 Peter 3:3-4). Ari was challenged. For the first time, she thought deeply about—and was encouraged by what God said about her and where her worth came from.
Ari shared, “The presenter encouraged me to enjoy my femininity—not extravagantly or with egotism but with the freedom to be all God created me to be.” “I am not married yet,” Ari says, “But now I have decided to take care of myself and keep myself attractive for my future husband, who will be faithful to me and love me with all his heart.”
You can help others like Ari come to know who they are in God’s eyes. Send devotionals like this to millions around the world in their own languages. Give a gift today at guidelines.org.
