Arise Like Esther

Tag: natural wellness

  • Finding True Beauty: My Journey from Makeup Dependency to God-Given Freedom

    Finding True Beauty: My Journey from Makeup Dependency to God-Given Freedom

    I remember staring in the mirror, tears streaming down my face, desperately trying to “fix” what I saw reflected back at me. Maybe you know that feeling – the one where you can’t even imagine letting anyone, even those closest to you, see your bare face. Where your worth feels tied to how “done up” you appear.

    When Makeup Becomes a Mask

    Fresh into my marriage, I wouldn’t let my own husband see me without makeup. I was trapped in the lie that I was only beautiful when I was “dolled up.” But God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, had different plans for my heart.

    Like many women, I felt the crushing pressure to conform to society’s beauty standards. When everyone around me – even respected women in ministry – were getting lip injections and chasing the latest beauty trends, I almost gave in. But in that moment of weakness, I heard the Lord whisper to my spirit: “Don’t hate yourself because I created a masterpiece.”

    The Beautiful Truth That Set Me Free

    Sisters, can I share something revolutionary with you? Your beauty isn’t found in the size of your lips or the size of your hips, the shade of your hair or the clothes that you wear. It’s not determined by the latest trends or how many products you own. You are beautiful because you are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). You are His treasured possession (Deuteronomy 7:6).

    For me, God required a season of complete surrender – no makeup, no hair dye, nothing to hide behind. It felt like punishment at first, but it was actually preparation for something greater. He needed to heal my heart before He could entrust me with more.

    The Transformation That Changes Everything

    After about two years of this heart renovation, something beautiful emerged. I discovered that I am the beauty – not my makeup. The products didn’t make me beautiful; I was already beautiful as His daughter. This shift changed everything about how I approach beauty today.

    Now, when I apply makeup, it’s from a place of creative expression and joy, not desperate dependency. It’s about enhancing the beauty God gave me, not trying to create it from scratch. Every morning, I seek His guidance even in my beauty routine, and He’s so faithful to lead.

    A New Way Forward

    If you’re struggling with makeup dependency or feeling trapped by beauty standards, I want you to know that freedom is possible. God doesn’t want you to live in bondage to your reflection. He wants you to see yourself as He sees you – perfectly and wonderfully made.

    When your heart aligns with this truth, even your makeup routine becomes an act of worship rather than warfare. For those ready to step into this freedom while still enjoying beauty products, I’d love to share the tools that have helped me walk this balanced path.

    One of my favorites is this gorgeous bronzer collection that adds a natural, God-given “filled with His joy” glow without masking your true beauty. It’s become part of my joy-filled beauty routine, not my identity crutch.

    Click here to discover the bronzer that celebrates your natural beauty

    Remember, beloved: You are beautiful because He says you are beautiful. And He does not make mistakes.

  • When God Led Me to Ditch Toxic Bug Sprays (And What I Found Instead)

    When God Led Me to Ditch Toxic Bug Sprays (And What I Found Instead)

    I still remember that summer evening, sitting on my front porch trying to have my quiet time with the Lord. But instead of peaceful reflection, I was frantically swatting mosquitoes and scratching bites, while worried about the harsh chemicals I’d sprayed on my skin.

    Have you been there? Caught between wanting to enjoy God’s beautiful creation and dreading the swarms of biting insects that seem determined to drive us indoors?

    The Toxic Truth I Couldn’t Ignore

    The Holy Spirit had been convicting me about what I was putting on my body – His temple. When I finally researched the ingredients in my conventional bug spray, I was horrified. DEET, Permethrin, and a cocktail of neurotoxins that could cause everything from skin reactions to seizures.

    1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. How could I keep knowingly applying these harmful chemicals?

    A God-Given Alternative

    Through prayer and research, the Lord led me to discover the incredible power of His natural creation. Did you know that organic lemongrass oil naturally repels 176 types of mosquitoes?

    Or that lavender oil not only deters insects but promotes calm and healthy skin?

    This revelation transformed my outdoor time.

    Instead of choosing between toxic sprays or staying inside, I found that God had already provided safe, effective solutions through His creation.

    The Ripple Effects of Going Natural

    When I switched to natural bug protection, something beautiful happened.

    My evening devotional time became truly peaceful again.

    My children could play outside without me worrying about harmful chemicals on their skin.

    Even my garden time became a worship experience, seeing how God provided everything we need in nature.

    Sisters, we don’t have to compromise our health or our convictions to enjoy outdoor living. The Lord has given us everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), including natural ways to protect our families.

    A Simple Step of Stewardship

    If you’re feeling led to make this switch like I was, I want to share a resource that’s been a blessing to our family.

    Abba showed us a place where prayer is the foundation to these turn key formulations, and a natural Bug Off Body Butter was created that combines God’s powerful plant ingredients with deep moisturizing benefits.

    One sister in Christ, Janea recently shared: “Sat outside at a family gathering and not one mosquito bite! I’m usually spraying and double spraying toxic bug spray so I’m so happy to have found this!”

    I give God all the glory for leading me to create this natural alternative. If you’d like to learn more about our Bug Off Body Butter, you can find it here: Natural Bug Protection

    Whatever you decide, I pray this information helps you make wise choices for your family’s wellbeing. May we all be good stewards of these temples He’s entrusted to us.

    In His Grace,
    Julianne

    Psalm 34:8 – “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”