“Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.” – Job 40:10
Lately, I’ve been spending time in the book of Job during my devotions, and I’ve found myself captivated by God’s response to Job in the middle of his darkest season. Job had lost nearly everything—his family, his health, his livelihood—yet in the midst of his despair, God doesn’t simply soothe him with comfort. Instead, He challenges Job: Rise up. Clothe yourself with majesty. Step into the beauty I’ve already placed inside you.
That exchange struck me deeply. God’s answer wasn’t passive; it was active. It was a call to dignity, to strength, and yes—to beauty.
Before going further, I want to linger for a moment on some of the words from Job 40:10, because each carries so much weight.
- Deck: to clothe with elegance, to adorn or embellish.
- Majesty: a greatness of presence that inspires awe.
- Excellency: purity of heart, strength, and beauty intertwined.
- Array: to place in order, to dress with purpose.
- Glory: splendor, magnificence, honor.
- Beauty: what delights the eye, but also what brings joy and gladness.
Isn’t it incredible that God would choose these very words in speaking to Job? At a time when Job probably felt worthless, disheveled, and undone, God reminded him of who he truly was.
And this, I think, is why beauty matters.
Beauty as Dignity
Caring for our appearance isn’t about vanity or arrogance. It’s about dignity. Scripture reminds us again and again that we are children of the King. As His daughters, we are called to reflect His glory in every part of our lives—including how we present ourselves.
Treat yourself as the treasured creation that you are. Not in a way that diminishes others, but in a way that honors the One who made you. Looking down on others has no place in this conversation. Instead, when we dress and carry ourselves with dignity, we show respect both for ourselves and for the God who crafted us.
Finding Your “Why”
When I was younger, I loved fashion and makeup, but I didn’t always understand my “why.” Without that grounding, beauty easily became a competition. If another woman walked into the room with a new outfit, I felt inadequate. If I flipped through a magazine or scrolled social media, I caught myself wishing I had someone else’s hair, skin, or smile.
Maybe you’ve felt that too—the creeping sense that no matter what you do, you’ll never measure up. That’s the danger of beauty without purpose.
But when you anchor your “why” in gratitude—when beauty becomes a way to celebrate what God has already given you—those insecurities start to lose their grip. Beauty isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about becoming the best version of you.
Gratitude in Practice
One of the most powerful shifts in perspective comes when we recognize that caring for our outward appearance is an act of thanksgiving. It’s saying, Thank You, Lord, for the body You gave me. Thank You for the chance to steward it well.
This doesn’t mean chasing after every trend or spending hours in front of a mirror. It means treating yourself with the same care you’d extend to a precious possession. And here’s the surprising truth: when you feel beautiful, it often changes the way you treat others. Joy radiates outward.
A wise woman once told me, “The acrostic for JOY is Jesus, Others, Yourself. But if you neglect yourself, it becomes harder to care for Jesus and others.” Balance matters. A healthy self-image allows us to give more freely.
Outward Beauty Reflecting the Heart
Of course, beauty that stops at the surface is shallow. The goal isn’t to polish the outside while neglecting the inside. True beauty flows from the heart—it’s kindness, gentleness, and a spirit of gratitude. But the outward and inward are connected. The way we present ourselves can reflect what’s already in our hearts.
That’s why asking God for wisdom is so important. He alone can help us hold beauty in balance—neither dismissing it as vanity nor idolizing it as ultimate. Instead, we embrace beauty as a reflection of His glory.
A Call to Represent Him Well
At the end of the day, “Why beauty?” finds its answer here: because we represent the King. When we carry ourselves with grace, dignity, and joy, we point others not to ourselves, but to Him. Beauty becomes a testimony, a quiet but powerful way of showing that God’s handiwork is worth celebrating.
So, don’t shrink back from beauty. Don’t compare your reflection to anyone else’s. Don’t let insecurity rob you of gratitude. Instead, embrace the magnificence God has already spoken over you.
Clothe yourself with majesty. Walk in excellency. Array yourself with glory and beauty. And in doing so, reflect the heart of the One who made you—fearfully and wonderfully.
✨ What about you? Have you struggled with finding your “why” when it comes to beauty? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
