I was motivated to write this article after attending the funeral of a beloved relative. In South African communities, funerals typically take place within 7 to 9 days after the passing. During this time, close family members, friends, church members, and community members gather to offer comfort and support to the grieving family as they prepare for the service. It’s a unique occasion where you encounter and engage with a diverse array of people, representing various age groups, professions, social statuses, and more.
During the funeral arrangements, I had the opportunity to observe and engage with older women. Over these few days, it became evident that although they were all in a similar age group, each woman was aging in her own unique way. I kept wondering what could be the anti-aging remedy that some of these women may be using.
1. What Is Anti Aging?
A wide variety of anti-aging solutions aim to diminish wrinkle lines, skin sagging, dark spots, and more. These treatments have become increasingly popular as both men and women strive to maintain a youthful appearance.
At the funeral, it was clear that the women who appeared stunning, lively, and youthful were not relying on makeup or contemporary treatments like Botox. However, as I engaged with them in conversation, it became apparent that they possessed a profound love and reverence for God, as they offered scriptural words of encouragement to the grieving family.
In contrast, I encountered other women who were drinking, and during our conversations, they offered no words of encouragement. Instead, they engaged in gossip, creating a negative and scornful atmosphere. Although they belonged to the same age group as the previous women, their expressions were harsh and somber. Personally, I would not want to appear that way as I grow older.
2. The Secret To Anti-Aging
Shortly after the funeral, I encountered a verse that helped me understand the significant aging difference I noticed during the funeral activities.
How wonderful it is to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness. (Ecclesiastes 8:1).
According to this verse, wisdom is the remedy for anti-aging.
Furthermore, Proverbs 9:10 states: “The fear of the LORD is the starting point of wisdom, and knowing the Holy One brings understanding.”
Thus, having a deep reverence for the LORD, worshiping Him, and recognizing His true greatness marks the beginning of wisdom.
As one journeys through life in worship and faith in God, He imparts a type of wisdom that transcends mere intellectual comprehension.
This wisdom is a gift from God that results from knowing Him, and its effects are evident in the physical facial glow and the softening of the harshness that comes with aging.
All the women whom it was evident that they feared the LORD had a spark on their face that just drew me to sitting amongst them and listening to them. They had so much profound truths to share which not only encouraged me but gave me wisdom and understanding.
3. A Woman Who Fears The LORD
A woman who fears the Lord will age differently as God gifts her with wisdom that sparks her face and lifts up any sagging and harsh areas of her countenance.
This divine wisdom equips her with skillful living as she applies knowledge correctly in her daily life. This is evidenced in the Proverbs 31 woman. Her husband never praises her for her beauty but praises her fearing of the LORD.
Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised (Proverbs 31:30).
Here are two biblical figures that exemplify this verse:
3.1 Abigail
1 Samuel 25:3 describes Abigail as a “sensible and beautiful woman”. When she intercedes for her husband not to be killed, David praised her for her wisdom that stemmed from her reverence to God.
Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you to meet me today! Thank God for your good sense! Bless you for keeping me from murder and from carrying out vengeance with my own hands. (1 Samuel 25:33).
3.2 Ruth
Ruth is another biblical figure whose wisdom and fear of the God of Israel brought praise despite the fact that she was from the country of Moab. God’s light was shining over her that Boaz was curious to know who she was (Ruth 2:5).
When he discovered that she had returned as a widow with her mother-in-law, Boaz greatly praised her for taking care of Naomi and making the God of Israel her God despite the absence of any obligation to do so (Ruth 2:11).
4. Final Remarks On Anti-Aging
Dear reader, I hope this article helps you understand that God recognized women’s innate desire to look and feel attractive and youthful. He provided us with the formula that by remaining in His presence, worshipping and abiding in Him, we can radiate His light through our faces—something no amount of retinol or Vitamin C can replicate.
This is the divine light of God that Peter, James, and John witnessed during the transfiguration of Jesus. It can be seen in individuals who hold a deep reverence for the Lord and are fully engaged in worship.
It’s also important to recognize that beauty is one of God’s attributes, and His light nourishes the beauty in all of creation. As we nurture a closer relationship with God, His beauty becomes evident in our facial appearance and the way we live our lives.
To conclude this article, I reference the words by Paul written in Colossians 2:2-3:
“I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lies all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
Wisdom, which is the anti-aging remedy, is found in Christ. When we come to Christ, he endows us with divine wisdom, amongst many other things.
Add a Comment