We do not equate suffering to beauty. Think of the most beautiful images in our world - a bride in her white gown, the sun shining over ocean waves, a newborn baby’s first grin, a field of flowers, a child sleeping. The pain of suffering does not fill our hearts when we imagine each of them. However, a Christian lives in God’s economy - an economy that puts earthly realities upside down.
The Gospel is a story of suffering and yet it is the most beautiful love story this world has ever experienced. Our God chose to come to earth as a physical man whom He named Jesus and rescue us through unimaginable suffering. He was mocked, beaten, and nailed to a Cross to die. But then the beauty came. In His sovereignty, He defeated death and rose again into life. Today Jesus is alive in heaven.
Because of Jesus’ resurrection we, too, have the opportunity to rise up into newness of life when we die. However, it’s not just at death that this new life begins. It’s right now. Jesus’ suffering created beauty in our souls. As we talked about above in 2 Corinthians 4:16, our inner selves are being renewed right now because Christ’s resurrection reflects our resurrection when we give our lives to Him.
Not only is this true in Jesus’ suffering, but it’s also true in our personal suffering as we live out our lives in this world. Our suffering makes our hearts more beautiful. It is through suffering that they are renewed day by day. “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).
As our daughters develop their definition of beauty, we need to be diligent to teach them these three truths from God's Word. It's through these truths that they will experience true joy in the creations they are in Christ.
Brenda Rodgers is the wife to a heart-transplant hero and the mama of two little girl miracles. She lives in Georgia where she enjoys southern culture and her home built in 1900. She writes at BrendaRodgers.com about being a girl-mom, mentoring young women, and life in the south. Her hope is to use her personal life experiences to show other people Jesus. Brenda would love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.