Is There A Secret To Looking Young?

This week I celebrated my birthday. The thought of getting older hasn’t really bothered me too much yet. I guess because I still feel so young? Hopefully that will continue! Another positive is that many people seem surprised when I say my age. I guess I look younger than my 40+ years? Bonus! I know, I know. Looking young is a vain conceit…but hey, I’ll take it as long as I can get it! 🙂

A lot of times I’ll get people asking me what my secret is to looking young. I usually half-jokingly say “I use good skincare!” Which is probably partially true. I do try to take good care of my skin using mostly natural and/or botanical products. My skincare regime often consists of a lot of sunscreen, coconut oil, shea butter and essential oils. I try and steer clear of mineral oil or petroleum-based products as well as other harmful additives.

Additionally, I try to take caution with other products too even down to my housekeeping. I can be found making my own laundry and cleaning products to keep myself and my family from receiving constant exposure to toxins. I also try to eat fairly healthy, reducing as many processed foods as reasonably possible. We eat relatively clean, but by no means are we die-hard about it.

Other factors to stay looking young

Aside from skincare, diet, and other products though, I think there are probably some more important factors to stay looking young. I remember picking up on something when I was quite a bit younger. I heard people using the description “He/She must have had a hard life.” They were describing a rough-looking man or woman that was quite visibly aged. I’ve also seen people talk about a woman that looked older than her age as being “bitter”.

I remember thinking “I don’t want people to describe me like that!” This initiated some talks with my mom and dad about what those things meant. They explained how a “hard life” and being “bitter” (i.e. harboring resentment, hurt, anger, and unforgiveness) could affect our appearance and the ability to stay looking young. Constant harsh emotions affect our facial expressions, leaving deeply wrinkled lines and hard countenances. Also, poor life choices and our environment can alter our appearance.

Now that I’m an adult I notice those same people. It’s typically a pretty accurate description of them when you get a chance to hear their stories. I’ve had the opportunity to teach a lot of these same people who have led hard lives.  Then again, I’ve seen people who have led equally hard lives and have just cause to be bitter as well, but they seem so young and vibrant. Furthermore, I myself have had my own fair share of hard times. So what makes the difference? 

A couple theories…

How can a hard life and difficult circumstances keep some people from looking young and not others? I think one primary difference is HOW you go through those hard times and WHAT you decide to do with resentment, hurt, anger, and unforgiveness. Personally, I chose not to go through those hard times alone. God walked with me side by side the whole way. I have learned to lean on God’s strength and not my own.

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31 (NIV)

I also chose (and still choose) to forgive and to try not to become bitter. Usually, I’m a pretty forgiving person, almost to a fault at times. These acts of forgiveness, though, give me freedom. I don’t hold onto weights or baggage. As a side note here, I’m a firm believer in the difference of forgiveness and restoration. Just because I have forgiven someone DOES NOT mean that I have to restore relationship with them. That can often be even more damaging depending on the circumstance.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)

Another biblical principle I’ve learned about looking young…

There was a lesson I picked up from one of Pastor Beth Jones daily devotions one time. It was a way of seeing beauty and looking young that I had never considered before. She was talking about Sarah, Abraham’s wife, and how she was known for her beauty. She was so beautiful in fact that a Pharaoh and a king felt they NEEDED to have her…AND SHE WAS AN OLD WOMAN!!  According to biblical texts she would have been around 65 years old when the Pharaoh took her and around 90 when King Abimelech requested her. She must have been a real looker for kings and rulers to want her at her age when they could have had anyone they wanted!

“As he was approaching the border of Egypt, Abram said to his wife, Sarai, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman.  When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.” And sure enough, when Abram arrived in Egypt, everyone noticed Sarai’s beauty.  When the palace officials saw her, they sang her praises to Pharaoh, their king, and Sarai was taken into his palace.” Genesis 12:11-14 (NLT)

“Abraham introduced his wife, Sarah, by saying, “She is my sister.” So King Abimelech of Gerar sent for Sarah and had her brought to him at his palace.” Genesis 20:2 (NLT)

We can have what Sarah had

We are in the family of Abraham. Because of that, we have those same blessings he and Sarah received.

“So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith…Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.” Galatians 3:9, 14 (NLT)

In Beth’s devotion she said the women in this family are Sarah’s daughters and are connected with her spiritual gene pool. So, if Sarah was blessed with beauty in old age and to stay looking young, we can be too! Beth said, “Like mother, like daughter–believe God that your godly qualities will be reflected in a youthful outer appearance!” Apparently, looking young is one of the many blessings of Abraham that we can inherit! Sweet! 

Another lesson about Sarah’s beauty

I liked how Beth said “godly qualities reflected in a youthful outer appearance”. That leads me to believe that her inner character is part of what made Sarah outwardly beautiful. We can see her character mentioned in 1 Peter 3 discussing how she treated people, especially her husband, as opposed to being concerned with outward appearance.

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. “They submitted themselves to their own husbands, like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.”” 1 Peter 3:3-6 (NIV)

A lesson on beauty from Hallmark

I’m a sucker for Hallmark movies. This past summer I watched “My Summer Prince”. Cute show—total chick flick! A quote stuck out from the movie. In one scene, the prince was speaking with a little girl in a hospital about what he would want in a princess. He said he would want someone who is kind, with a good heart, who is very clever and smart, and is someone who laughs, tells stories and tries to make life easier for others. The little girl followed up with “and she has to be beautiful too!” To which he replied, “Anyone matching that description is already quite beautiful.”

I think this mirrors what 1 Peter 3 discusses about beauty. Apparently, Sarah had this down. What we are like on the inside can affect how people view us (and how we view ourselves) on the outside.

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.” Proverb 31:30 (NLT) 

Take Some Practical Steps To Stay Looking Young:

• Take care of yourself. Seems simple enough right? Treat your skin well and avoid harsh products, chemicals and overexposure to toxins and UV light. Maintain a healthy diet with lots of fresh foods, and reduce your intake of processed foods. Also be cautious of your environment and what you are exposed to on a regular basis.
• Lean on God and receive strength from Him in difficult times. Don’t try to go through a hard time alone. It will age you. God can lighten your load and burden. You can also read more here about 10 Ways To Get Through A Hard Time.
• Develop a habit of forgiveness, and avoid bitterness at all costs. Toss off the excessive baggage of resentment, hurt, anger, and unforgiveness. If this is a problem for you, do a bible study or word study and listen to podcasts on these topics to learn more and build your faith.
• Claim the “Blessings of Abraham”. You have an inheritance coming to you because you are in the family of Abraham. Are you laying claim to that full inheritance? Sarah was blessed with beauty and looking young. You can have that same blessing!
• Develop godly qualities and character—Become attractive on the inside to be attractive outwardly. Read the bible on a regular basis to learn how to become more godly and how to treat others the way God would have us to. Inner beauty will keep you looking young.

Do you have a secret to looking young? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.

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If you know anyone that could benefit from this, please pay it forward!  Share this post via the sharing links below.  “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)