How would you define the ideal woman? What do you see as the role of the
woman in the home? In the church? In society? In the workplace?
The lines of
identity between the sexes is so blurred today. As a result,
women lost much of the respect and nurture that was once the norm for them.
So many women today have unfulfilling relationships. They are abused in
many forms: from being taken for granted all the way to outright physical
battery. Now, they want to know: Why should I make an effort when it is not
appreciated or when I am not cherished?
Our real question should be: “God, what kind of a woman do YOU want me to
be, regardless of what anyone else has done or is doing to me or for me?” Let us
live the kind of life God ordained for us, regardless of society’s standard.
The Thirty-first chapter of the book of Proverbs is often feared, maligned
or denigrated; but I love this chapter. It tells us what GOD thinks of us as
women. It does not ever mention her physical looks, but only speaks of her
behavior and her Godly character. Society looks at the outward attributes, but
God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).
Here are some characteristics God develops in His Godly women:
I. God considers us His precious jewels:
Proverbs 31:10… "If you can
find a truly good wife, she is worth more than precious gems!"Whether or not a man, your parents, your children or any other human being thinks you are precious, God does. I know He is not here in flesh and blood, but we are also a soul and a spirit. He loves us Spirit to spirit and this filters into our soul and body.
God’s opinion of you means more than even your own opinion of your self. If
this statement is not true in your heart, then you are believing a lie. You are
a very precious jewel in God’s sight. If you were not valuable, He would not
have died for you.
II. We can have hobbies and goals of our
own:
Proverbs 31: 13-14… “She
finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She buys imported foods brought by
ship from distant ports.”
III. We can be an accomplished homemaker:
Proverbs 31: 15… “She gets
up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plans the day's work
for her servant girls.”Proverbs 31: 17-18… “She is energetic, a hard worker, and watches for bargains. She works far into the night!”
Proverbs 31: 27…”She watches carefully all that goes on throughout her household and is never lazy.”
IV. We can plan ahead:
Proverbs 31: 21… “She has no
fear of winter for her household, for she has made warm clothes for all of
them.”
V. We are entrepreneurial:
Proverbs 31: 16…” She goes
out to inspect a field and buys it; with her own hands she plants a vineyard.” Proverbs 31: 24…”She makes belted linen garments to sell to the merchants.”
VI. We can take care of ourselves:
A. Physically – exercising & eating healthily,
dressing modestly but smartly and keeping a clean and well appointed home.
Proverbs 31: 22… “She also upholsters with finest tapestry; her own clothing is
beautifully made-a purple gown of pure linen.” We can grow old gracefully…Proverbs 31: 25…“She is a woman of strength and dignity and has no fear of old age.”
B. Emotionally – ministering to our self and others. We can meet our own needs; we don’t have to wait for someone else to do it. We have J-O-Y when we minister to Jesus first, Others second, and never leave out Yourself.
Proverbs 31: 26… “When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says.”
1 Peter 3:4…”Be beautiful inside, in your hearts, with the lasting charm of a gentle and quiet spirit that is so precious to God.”
C. Spiritually – having a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ, doing daily devotions and attending worship
services and serving at a local church.
Proverbs 31: 30… “Charm can
be deceptive and beauty doesn't last, but a woman who fears and reverences God
shall be greatly praised.”VII. We can have a ministry of our own:
Proverbs 31: 19… “She sews for the poor and generously helps those in need.”
VIII. We can be a supportive and caring
mother, aunt, grandmother, or teacher in school and/or church:
Proverbs 31: 28… “Her
children stand and bless her…”
IX. God says we are worthy of praise, when
we please HIM in all we do:
Proverbs 31: 31…“Praise her
for the many fine things she does. These good deeds of hers shall bring her
honor and recognition from people of importance.”
X. If you are married…No matter what our husband’s feelings or reactions are
toward us, we can still live as the kind of woman God wants. God created the woman to bless the man, and the man
to treat his wife as he treats his own body, because a man who
loves his wife actually shows love for himself. (Ephesians 5:28-29). It is our greatest pleasure and privilege to follow
the Holy Spirit’s leading in this ministry moment by moment throughout the day.
Proverbs 31: 11-12…”Her
husband can trust her, and she will richly
satisfy his needs. She will not hinder him, but help him, all her life.
We can support our husband in his ministry and then minister in ours:Proverbs 31: 23…”Her husband is well known, for he sits in the council chamber with the other civic leaders.”
Proverbs 31: 28-29… “Her husband will stand and bless her. He praises her with these words: "There are many fine women in the world, but you are the best of them all!"
I Peter 3: 5-6… “That kind of deep beauty was seen in the saintly women of old, who trusted God and fitted in with their husbands' plans. Sarah, for instance, obeyed her husband Abraham, honoring him as head of the house and calling him Lord. And if you do the same, you will be following in her steps like good daughters and doing what is right; then you will not need to fear [offending your husband].”
Proverbs 12:4...”An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.”
1 Corinthians 7:34-35… “But she who is married cares about the things of the world -- how she may please her husband. And this I say for your own profit. “
XI. If you are not married…You are not blemished; you are blessed. You are not a
second-class citizen; you are a treasured child of God. You can follow the
leading of God’s Holy Spirit moment-by-moment in His perfect will for your
life. You are not directed by a husband’s goals and spiritual direction;
therefore, you can hear God for your self and minister in ways in which a
married woman may be hindered because of her natural duties.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, let us walk
worthy of the calling for which You called us (Ephesians 4:1). Help us to
reject the world’s idea of the perfect woman and to cling instead to Your Word
and Your concept of how to arrange our lives.
Thought for the Day:
He who finds a wife, finds a
good thing. – Proverbs 18:22 