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ORIGINAL: RJR_fan

God sovereignly distributes His gifts as it pleases Him. Not every man is equal in wage-earning power. Not every woman is equal in beauty. However, character is something we can do something about. And, as we walk with God, it's not unusual to fully understand and appreciate the value of a spouse only after decades of marriage.

Certain salacious magazines are mailed in plain wrappers. A superficially unattractive woman might be smart, industrious, kind -- and incredibly sensuous. Grateful to be noticed and appreciated for her virtues. A passionate prize for the man who does, at last, with the eyes of faith, look beyond the visible to those qualities of eternal worth.

Romance is over-rated. The mileage you get from kindness, respect, and faithfulness can keep the little motor running vigorously for an entire married life.

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ORIGINAL: timf

How Should We View & Understand Physical Beauty and Attractiveness?

Consider how we get to know someone. We may first see a picture, then meet, them, then hear them speak, then observe their character. We learn about people in layers.

There is a concept that could be called "total attractiveness". For example if a beautiful woman was met and the first words out of her mouth sounded like she had been smoking three packs a day for twenty years, her level of "total attractiveneses" would suddenly plummet.

If you worked with a man that was short and bald, you may at first see him as less than attractive. If, as time passed, you discovered he had a good sense of humor and showed genuine compassion and kindness, his level of total attractiveness would rise.

In the movie "The Ten Commandments" a slave tells Moses that "beauty is a curse to our women". Physical attractiveness attracts the superficial. In a way it is a sort of handicap.

The more a person grows in the image of Christ, the less significance something like physical appearance has. The flesh is corrupt and is passing away. A heart rich in love shows the light and love of Jesus and transcends death. Pity the eyes that cannot see the difference.

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ORIGINAL: Kat_D

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ORIGINAL: colliefan

Prov 31:30 (ESV) 30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

1 Sam 16:7 (ESV) 7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

^^ That's what I was gonna say!