5 Lessons I Learned from the Woman in Proverbs 31 by Lauren Visser

found in http://blog.vyrso.com/2014/08/11/5-lessons-i-learned-from-the-woman-in-proverbs-31/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+VyrsoVoice+%28Vyrso+Voice%29

• August 11, 2014

Have you ever delved into Proverbs 31 to read what a truly God-fearing woman might be like? The woman described in this chapter sounds almost too good to be true—she’s about as perfect as any human comes! But she’s only striving to do everything and anything that her Lord asks of her.
I find it refreshing to read this chapter occasionally to find God calling me to come closer to him in different areas of life. Here are five ways I’ve felt challenged by the tenacity of the woman in Proverbs 31:

1. She opens her hand to the poor

It’s so easy to get caught up in one’s own life. Go to school, go to work, pick the kids up from daycare, time for church, etc. Life happens. But to be ready and willing, even looking, for chances to welcome the poor or needy into our homes with open arms is a quality many of us feel we just don’t have the time for. In the grand scheme of things though, God calls us to love one another just as he loved us. This is how we should be looking to spend our time first and foremost.

2. She does not harm

Sometimes I catch myself talking with a family member or friend and realize I’ve just turned the conversation into complaining or pity-partying. No one wants to listen to that anyway, so why do I do it? It’s only bringing harm to the relationship. Instead I now turn the conversation around when I sense a downward spiral—dishing out compliments and positive stories that only bring smiles and laughs.

3. She dresses herself with strength

Strength comes in many forms. I imagine the strength of the woman in this chapter to be a humble, yet confident strength. Often I forget the humility part of strength, which turns me into merely a confidently one-sided arguer. Remembering to clothe herself with humility alongside strength must be how this woman was so cherished and praised within her community. (Prov. 31:28)

4. Her lamp does not go out at night

Working late into the nights and being the first one up in the mornings to be sure everyone gets fed sounds to me like a case of extreme diligence and perseverance. The mothers out there probably understand this the best. Working all day and then getting minimal sleep is hard to do, but I’ve found that the days I keep my priorities straight—keeping God on top—I somehow get everything done. And with that checklist completed, I can rest freely and do it again the next day.

5. She laughs at the time to come

I am quick to plan for the future. Not because I’m afraid of what will happen if I don’t have a plan, but because I’m always so anxiously excited for what’s next. But Matthew 6:34 reminds us that we should not worry about tomorrow, we should live for today. The woman in Proverbs 31 understood God’s intention for daily living already before the book of Matthew was written.

What does Proverbs 31 teach you? Take a moment to reflect on this beautiful passage:



How can we embody the Proverbs 31 woman in everyday life? It all starts with small decisions.