How Dry Skin Impacts True Beauty
©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com
Staying too long in “hot water” can cause us to get “dry skin” – not only physically, but also spiritually.
As a water aerobics enthusiast, I enjoy year-round workouts in the pool. Although I often enjoy the hot tub afterwards, a posted safety warning tells us we shouldn’t stay longer than 12 minutes in the churning, hot water.
It isn’t healthy. For those in fragile states, it can be dangerous.
Likewise, we shouldn’t wallow for long periods of time in “hot water” in our lives. When we linger in guilt, anger, unforgiveness or deceit we allow (dare I say invite?) our blood pressure to escalate, and our emotional and spiritual health to decline.
Let’s see if we’re experiencing any symptoms for spiritual “dry skin.”
Itching
The more we think about an itch, the more it seems to intensify. We often give in and scratch it. While that might provide immediate satisfaction, it can also tear the skin. It doesn’t resolve the underlying problem. And, can we agree that most scratching is unattractive when seen in public?
Lest we think scratching an itch is applicable in only a sexual context, consider how the festering of envy, anger and greed have led many on a wrong path. So too have gossip and lying.
These people are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error. 2 Peter 2:17-18 NIV
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:14 NIV
Tightness
Have you ever felt your skin tighten as if pulling and shrinking into itself (and I don’t mean in clothing sizes!)? That’s physical dry skin.
A smile forced in a straight line like a dash? Shoulders rising to the height of those ‘70s puffy pads?
A dearth of compassion? A lack of generosity? Spiritual dry skin.
When we place more attention on our wants and the world’s ideals rather than God’s plan and purpose, the living water isn’t flowing freely in us. Our wayward choices obstruct the refreshment and wisdom we need.
But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Mark 4:19 NIV
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7-8 NIV
Redness
Redness is one dry skin symptom readily visible to us and others.
In the spiritual context of dryness, redness emerges in anger. Emotions flare. Outbursts occur. Hateful words blast. Instead of drawing nourishment from the treated, restorative water of Jesus, our minds and hearts can sometimes let the poison of the world seep in and spew out.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:9-12 NIV
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-21 NIV
One more thing about dry skin – it not only looks rough; it feels rough. When we’re dry in the Lord, our lives can reflect the look and feel of a life that’s unsmooth and not at peace.
We put lotions on our skin every day to prevent dryness and add moisture; why wouldn’t we fill up with the “Living Water” in our minds and hearts daily?
Let’s coat and infuse our hearts and minds each day with God’s Word and wisdom to nourish and protect us from drying out.
In order for a healing agent to have maximum effect, it needs to permeate the surface. What seeps in and nourishes offers healing.
Let’s meditate on His wonders and His Words and worship Him.
Be thirsty for God.
Remember, there’s water in the desert. And, we know where to find it.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. Isaiah 35:6b-8 NIV
- Have you ever experienced physical dry skin? What contributed to it?
- What lotion or serum best soothes your skin?
- Which symptoms of spiritual dryness have you displayed? How about now?
- If you’re not overflowing with God’s love to others and feeling His refreshment, why not call out to Him right now, confess what’s blocking the flow, and renew your commitment to walk with Christ?
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16 NIV
Remember…Life is Better When It’s Full – Joy-full, Thank-full, Purpose-full and Friend-full! ™