You’ve heard it and perhaps even said it… “A grey hair! I’m getting old!” I always tell women who are just hitting 40 they are not old. My great grandparents, in their 90s, are old. 40 is just getting comfortable and truly enjoying the fruits of the womb and all you’ve spent the last 20years investing in. Just because you have a few grey hairs doesn’t qualify you as “old” and is definitely nothing to be frightened of.
We have society frowning down and telling us you’ve got to look, feel, and be younger. You’ve got to be attractive. You’ve got to be s3xy. You’ve got to dye your hair back to it’s original colour (add some highlights too)! But what does the Scriptures say about having grey hair? Is it truly something to frown about or has society infiltrate yet another area of womens’ beauty?
We are told not to be so concerned with the outward appearance but rather focus on character, on the spiritual aspect of a Godly Woman, because in Yahweh’s sight this is of great value. I’m reminded of the Proverbs 31 Woman who first, as you read, is strengthened and clothed with dignity and honour, and then we see mention of her actually clothing. We then see in Proverbs 20:29 a characteristic of dignity for the old: The pride of the young is their strength; the dignity of the old is gray hair.
We are commanded to stand up in the presence of a person with grey hair, in honour and reverence of them as well as Yahweh in Leviticus 19:23. Again we read in Proverbs 16 that “White hair is a crown of honor obtained by righteous living.”
Grey or white hair is nothing to be ashamed of, but is quite the opposite. Grey hair shows that you are old, yes, but is also an outward sign that you have had experience [perhaps wisdom] in your lifetime.
About The Author
Post topics: hair, pride, proverbs 31 woman, Torah: first five books, vanity
Very good article. I’ve never thought about it that way.
[Reply to this Comment]
I used to dye my hair as I started going gray about 22. At 43 I’m almost completely gray. Besides the heart issues I read on the American Cancer Society’s list of top ten carcinogens found in the home, that “Miss Clairol” (hair dye) was one of them! Because I have young children, I’m always asked if they are my grandchildren!
[Reply to this Comment]
Preach it! I completely agree. I’ve always told people I can’t wait to be grey, to be elderly, to be wise. They always look at me like I’m crazy.
[Reply to this Comment]
Amein! I do not plan on dying my hair when I get older.
[Reply to this Comment]
I love the way you put that Jocelyn! So true! I never liked the idea of my hair turning gray, but now I won’t mind it so much. ;) HeHe! I like that comparison you made…”The pride of the young is their strength; the dignity of the old is gray hair.” That was so good! :) I never thought of that pertaining to women as well…silly me. ;) Lol!
My aunt went prematurely gray at like 20 or something, and she has always died her hair. I don’t like it at all, and the expenses for getting her hair fixed up is atrocious! :O My mother and my grandmother have never dyed their hair, and I like it that way. :) My mother is gray now, and she still looks motherly and beautiful to me and my father and our family. :) I like that it shows her wisdom and that she has experience. :D
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic Jocelyn! :)
Love and Hugs!
~Rachel~
[Reply to this Comment]
Thanks for all the comments. My grandmother has been going white since she was in her 20s too, and I have had several grey hairs myself! lol
[Reply to this Comment]
Amein! It’s always sad for me to see people going bonkers over a few gray hairs. The world views in in a totally different way…
[Reply to this Comment]
Hey, hey now … grey hair isn’t JUST for the old. I’m 28 and I have half a dozen grey hairs! ;-) :-D
… runs in my family. My mother found her first grey hair when she was 14yrs old.
I TOTALLY agree with this article, though! Nothing at all to be ashamed of!! :-D
[Reply to this Comment]
My mom thinks it is funny that I have more gray hair than she does…. both natural with no dying. I don’t mind it. I’ve earned these trophies of wisdom and I’m showing ‘em off to whoever wants to search and point them out :-D
[Reply to this Comment]
Wonderful post! I myself have a few gray hairs, and I remember when one of my friends was braiding my hair she was like “You have a gray hair! Do you want me to get rid of it?!” I was like “no!! I love that gray hair!” lol. I’m also that kind of person who just thinks older women with gray or white hair are just so beautiful! I love their hair!
[Reply to this Comment]
When I was your age I thought 30 was almost elderly. I had panic attacks starting at 26 worrying about getting old and turning 30. I realied on my looks at the time. Now into my thirties I guess 40 is not that old.LOL..Awesome post. So nice reading posts from the younger generation not following after the world. Unfortunately, there are not too many older women teaching the younger women in Love about biblical ways. Beauty is fleeting…Proverbs 31 is right.
[Reply to this Comment]
I’m 27 and I already have a few gray hairs popping up. My hubby loves finding them and he believes they look great. I’m not ready for gray hairs yet but I’ll take whatever the Lord gives me!
[Reply to this Comment]
Never dye your hair, fellow sisters! And I mean NEVER! :-)
Dying is not only unhealthy and unnatural for your hair and scalp, but it is also showing ungratefullness for the hair God has given you. Are you not fearfully and wonderfully made?
[Reply to this Comment]
I wrote a little about that on my blog right before my 40th bday in October. Yes, I am starting to gray! I am not sad about the gray, but I don’t like how rough and coarse the hair is. I will just learn how to moisturize it, I guess! ;)
[Reply to this Comment]
Aaugghh! But how does one control the wild-and-crazy ones so it doesn’t look like you’ve got 100 2-inch antennas sticking out of your head?!?!
[Reply to this Comment]
Very well written! I love the grey in my hair. Life hasn’t always been easy, so I earned each and every one of my hoary hairs…a sign of wisdom! I saw my first when I was 27, I am now going to be 40, I have a skunk stripe on my left side. I think it’s pretty!
[Reply to this Comment]