True Beauty (Paperback Edition)

The book challenges women on all sides of the attractiveness spectrum--whether we are pretty (and know it) to those who feel discouraged and never pretty enough. I appreciated the consistent biblical backing of the writers who remind us that this is a holiness issue. Do we complain and blame God for not giving us the looks that our society values or do we get proud that we're in the better than average category so that gives us more than average status as women?I have had my ups and downs with my looks throughout my life, like most women. There were times I got more attention than I deserved. There were times I neglected my appearance. But what motivates me from this book is that He alone is truly beautiful, and filling up my life with God should be my focus. In the meantime, as a middle aged woman, my responsibility to be a good steward of my body and whatever attributes that remain from the ravages of aging.

I simply love this book! I highly recommend Carolyn's book to women of all ages. This summer I took a group of young ladies through this book, (which was very easy to do with the discussion questions provided in the back which go chapter by chapter). It was perspective building for many, and a great reminder for me. As women we are constantly getting messages from our culture of all the many ways we fail the beauty test, and I know personally how discouraging this is for us. This book is just the opposite and is filled grace, NOT legalism as some might suppose. This book is freeing! I personally plan to re-read this one regularly.

I read this book 2yrs ago, and still recommend it to anyone who is struggling with understanding issues like beauty and modesty, and the heart issues attatched to these things. I grew up in a "Purity Culture " Pentecostal church, with childhood sexual abuse, self-abuse, chased promiscuity and suffered multiple assaults in my younger life before Christ. I have been through IT ALL with my body from a very young age. As a recent convert in a very different denomination (Reformed Baptist), I had a lot of trouble figuring out how my outsides and my inside reality were supposed to match up, and how to show myself friendly to my new brothers and sisters in Christ. I struggled a lot with my appearance and feeling like I didn't belong. I am so glad for books by faithful God-fearing women! This subject simply isn't spoken on for fear of offense in many churches, it is completely counterculteral in our age, and is very akward even amongst friends. We need contentment and holiness. But seeing pride for what it is, (and its twisted opposite self-loathing) in the mirror is very, very painful. We don't want anyone else to know it is there. Here they tell the truth about both, and their respective cure, with grace and compassion. It's not an all-encompassing treatment of the subject, and there were times I wished for deeper insights that reflected my own experiences, but this was a really good start. It was an easy read that didn't require me to needlessly review my trauma (WASHED AWAY BY THE BLOOD), and gave me a foundational understanding where I had none. I feel hopeful that I CAN help my 3 young daughters face a world that seeks to rob them of their true beauty, in order to sell a cheap and fatal substitute. I am also looking forward to aging gracefully out of the "beautiful" face that came with so much pain and loneliness in my youth. To that end I plan to read all of their other books! Highly recommend "True Feelings" as well :)

Excellent book. We had wonderful discussions in our ladies' book group with this book. Everyone seemed to greatly enjoy it and the discussions it evoked. Mahaney's exhortation to find our beauty in God alone was very freeing and refreshing with practical help in doing so. We also talked about current issues like cosmetic surgery and modesty (we discussed skirt lengths, happily, in our group) from different points of view that were very insightful.

Excellent! Down to earth. Delightful to read. Accessible to young and old. Biblical and Practical in the best ways. Timely -- and timeless -- truths communicated with grace and efficiency.I plan to study this book with my daughters. I particularly recommend it to groups of women or teens, including church classes and fellowship groups. The book would encourage all women in our everyday thoughts about beauty.

Great book! A few ladies from my church and I are reading this in our bible study and are enjoying it so much. A great biblical perspective on beauty!

I want to encourage all women and teens to read this book. I learned so much about myself and feel more equipped now to fight off the worldly messages that rob me of joy and pull me away from Jesus.

This book should be read by women and girls seeking to honor God. There is so much more to true beauty than our physical appearance. Our bodies, our clothing, our make-up, our actions and our attitudes work together to show the world who we are. These points are clearly and lovingly taught in this book.

Brill Christian book about what God says is Beautiful NOT what the worlds idea is. It's all about Godly Women. It's very good read for young Christian girls/women with bad or little self esteem.Don't believe all the world tells you about what beauty is... Go with God's idea.

Instead of seeing your beauty through the worlds eyes, see your beauty through God's. This is a really helpful book for those who struggle with confidence/self esteem. It shows what true beauty is. Would definitely recommend, it's great as a gift

Superb book!