There’s something to be said for a woman who is strong, confident, and a hard worker.
I’d say being described by those three words is quite a compliment.
Yet these three words look quite different for someone who is glorifying themselves, compared to someone who is glorifying God. I know this from experience. I used to be one who lived the former.
I was strong physically as I worked out to glorify myself.
I was confident…in myself and my abilities.
I was a hard worker…for my own personal gain.
My life looked quite different than the woman in Proverbs 31.
As we peer into her life through scripture, we can see she’s a woman whose motivation is to glorify God. Today we’re looking at verses 16 & 17, from The Voice translation…
She has a plan. She considers some land and buys it; then with her earnings, she plants a vineyard.
She wraps herself in strength, carries herself with confidence, and works hard, strengthening her arms for the task at hand.
This week we see she’s not only a devoted wife and mother, she’s also a business woman. Her example can be applied to our lives: Our businesses. Our homes. Our marriages. Our motherhood. Our finances. Our ministries..
Points to ponder:
- She plans. Do we take the time to prayerfully plan, or do we just forge ahead with our own ideas?
- She considers land and buys it. She carefully thinks about, contemplates, prays. Do we pray about our decisions? Do we ask God for direction and seek His will?
- She reinvests her earnings and plants a vineyard. Do we financially have a forward-thinking focus or a present-thinking focus? How do we spend our earnings? Wisely or frivolously?
- She’s strong. Since she wraps herself in strength, this shows it doesn’t come from within herself. God is her strength. Who/what is ours? How do we receive His strength?
- She’s confident. Confidence comes from God. Not within ourselves. Do we seek Him for our confidence?
- She works hard and isn’t afraid of work. Do we work as if working for the Lord? Do we do our best? Do we roll up our sleeves and invite work, or do we shy away from it?
As we seek God (and not ourselves) in all these areas, His purpose and will for our lives will come to pass because our hearts are set on Him.
That is true success, my friend, no matter what it may look like in this world.
And that glorifies God.
The old me came face to face with this truth years ago, and my life was transformed–personally, professionally, in every way.
Will I ever measure up to this woman in Proverbs 31? Maybe not. But as I seek God and His will for my life, I’m thankful He loves me enough to continue to grow me, guide me, and bless me.
Is there a point from above that God is growing in you? I’m thankful He is using the woman of Proverbs 31 to teach us and mold us into the women He desires us to be! May we continue to be encouraged!
Blessings!
Julie
(It’s W2W – Woman to Woman Wednesday where we pause for a moment to lift and encourage each other as we study the life of the woman in Proverbs 31. Next week we’ll look at verses 18 & 19. Linking up with some dear friends at meredithbernard.com to encourage each other on #W2W.)
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I’m a planner by nature, but PRAYERFULLY planning is what I’m still learning. Great post!
That’s great, Kathryn! Planning is key, but yes, prayerfully planning is something I’m still learning too! Thank you for visiting today!
Excellent post Julie! I was that former woman as well, working to be on top and gain favor from the world. Then my life changed when I surrendered and my entire focus changed to honor and glorify God in my work. I love the points you made, and I wish I had invested in a vineyard back then like the P31 woman, but it’s never too late, right? Thanks for a good word today.
Thank you, Doris! I didn’t realize our lives were so similar! I, too, wish I had invested in a vineyard back then. But God is using us to invest in other’s lives now. 🙂 I’d say that’s better. Thank you for sharing some of your life here with me/us. You are a blessing!
Seeking God in all these areas is what it’s all about. Thank you for beautifully walking us through who the Proverbs 31 woman is. Knowing all she does helps keep clear goals and focus on God. Thank you!
Thank you for stopping by today Kasey! I’m learning much from the example of this woman. So glad we are journeying together! Glad you linked up today for #W2W!
Oh wow, Julie. You have blessed me yet again. Confidence- that’s the point I’m on and am continuing to be on… learning it does not come from myself but from God. He is molding me each day to see myself as He sees me. Love sharing with you!
Thank you, Abby. Self-confidence vs. God-confidence. I battled that for so many years, and still catch myself reverting back to my old habits and ways. I’m glad God is showing both of us who we really are in Him. Thank you for sharing with me today!
Julie, These are more great words of wisdom from you today! I am in the process of learning to give myself over to God’s plans and take myself out of the equation. Harder for me to do than say. Thank you for uncovering more beautiful truth from this wonderful woman we strive to imitate as sisters in Christ. Thank you for linking up, as always. Your encouragement is such a blessing!
Meredith, right back at ya! Your encouragement is such a blessing to me too! Thank you for hosting the link for #W2W! I’m thankful God doesn’t leave us where we are, but cleans us off and refines us for His good. Glad we get to be refined together! 🙂
I know I will never measure up to this woman in Proverbs 31. But I pray my heart will always strive to be like her. And with God’s strength, maybe each day I’ll myself more in her qualities. So thankful we don’t have to do this on our own! Thanks, Julie!
That’s for sure, Sabra. I’m thankful we don’t have to do this on our own too! You have a beautiful heart that seeks after God, Sabra. It’s so evident in your words. I always appreciate your encouraging comments, uplifting words, and your friendship through writing. Thank you for being a blessing!