How do you know if Hollywood thinks you’re pretty enough? I mean, beauty is in the eye of the beholder right? Well…apparently there’s a certain group of people who are trying to prove that beauty can actually be measured.
They call it the “golden ratio.”
The golden ratio is a number (1.62 to be exact) which these groups claim can be used to measure beauty. This number is used to measure everything from how far apart your eyes are, to how long your head is, to how much space you have between your chin and lips.
If you measure really well (basically perfect according to this group), your numbers might hit 10.0. Then you can relax, with the assurance of knowing that you are beautiful.
We live in a society where physical beauty is placed on the highest of pedestals.
As a result, some women will do anything to achieve the perfect look (whatever that is). Plastic surgery, lip enhancement, hair extensions, permanent makeup, tanning beds, fake eyelashes, etc. You name it, women have tried it.
Putting on basic makeup isn’t good enough anymore. We’ve been convinced that heavier reinforcements are what it now takes to look gorgeous. Our culture has convinced us that achieving the “golden ratio” is the ticket to lasting happiness and fulfillment. That’s why so many women chase after physical beauty to such extremes.
I have a question though.
If achieving the golden ratio brings women so much happiness and fulfillment, why are so many beautiful women unhappy? Have you ever stopped to think about that? Some of the most physically beautiful women are also some of the most unhappy.
For example, Marilyn Monroe was pretty close to hitting golden ratio. She’s considered a famous American icon and had everything Hollywood upholds as successful. Outward beauty, fame, money, men, fancy clothes, fine jewelry, luxurious living spaces, etc. She had it all!
By our culture’s standards she should have been the happiest, most fulfilled woman on the planet.
But she wasn’t.
Despite her gorgeous looks and glamorous lifestyle, she struggled on a regular basis with depression, insomnia, and brokenness. She died at the young age of 36 due to a drug overdose. Marilyn’s tragic ending should be an obvious warning sign to us that beautiful looks aren’t the key to lasting joy and happiness.
Another prime example is the modeling industry. Some of the most beautiful women on the planet are also some of the most depressed, unhappy and insecure.
One famous model actually said, “The models I worked with were considered the most beautiful and sexy women on the planet. They were also the most insecure women I’ve ever known in my life.”
These examples send us a very clear message.
Being pretty isn’t the answer.
Being physically beautiful isn’t what gives a girl her worth and value. No matter how close a girl comes to reaching the “golden ratio” it still won’t be enough to satisfy her deepest longings. Now, there’s nothing wrong with desiring to enhance your God-given features with tasteful makeup, feminine clothes, and nice hairstyles. That isn’t the root problem here.
The root problem is when we view “beauty” as our ticket to happiness, security, and fulfillment.
The problem happens when we see the Covergirl commercial advertising thick lashes and think, “If only I had longer eyelashes, then I would be beautiful.” The problem happens when we see an advertisement for hair extensions and think, “If only I had thicker hair, then I would be beautiful.”
The problem happens when we glance at the front of magazine covers and think, “If only I was as pretty as her….then I would be happy.”
Without even realizing it, we view beauty as our means to happiness. We somehow think that the pretty girls have the secret to life. We just assume that they must be completely happy and totally fulfilled.
But that’s not the case.
Physical beauty is not capable of bringing us lasting worth and satisfaction.
Yes, it can bring momentary pleasure and attention…but it can’t ultimately satisfy us. That is why 10 out of 10 women who pursue beauty as their ultimate means to fulfillment always wind up unfulfilled.
No matter how well we rank against the golden ratio, we’re all in the same boat. When it comes to our personal fulfillment, only one Person is capable of filling that role. No matter how pretty or ugly Hollywood might rate us, we’re all in need of the same loving Savior.
Jesus Christ is the only One who can fill the deepest longings of our hearts.
Having a personal relationship with Him through faith, prayer, reading His word, and worshipping Him is the only ticket to true satisfaction. He is the One who gives us our worth and value, not Hollywood.
He is the loving Savior who created you in His image and doesn’t judge you based on the golden ratio.
His standards for beauty are much, much different. “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7b). God doesn’t care if we have perfect skin, thick hair and long eyelashes. He cares about the condition of our hearts.
When we live our lives to please the One who created us, our deepest longings will always be filled.
Our hearts will always be full. Our lives will never lack fulfillment, purpose or security.
YOU’RE INVITED!
If you’re interested in learning more about God’s design for true beauty and lasting worth, I want to personally invite you to join us for our first ever LIVE online sisterhood event! This event is called Project Beauty: Discovering God’s Design for True Beauty and Lasting Worth and is taking place on November 11th. Click here for more info and to grab your tickets.
Now, let’s chat below:
- In what ways do you struggle with your outward appearance?
- Do you believe that being more beautiful will make you happy?
- Have you thanked God for the body and face He gave you?
