For those who want to do better but can’t
“Why can’t I just get it?”
It’s a question I ask myself more often than I’d like to admit. God is shaping me into a woman I never thought I could be, and I love who He’s making me. But, I’ll be honest… there are days I just wish I could be that girl—confident, bold, successful… the Proverbs 31 woman.
Here’s a twist though…
We often hear about Proverbs 31 as this perfect standard for women, but did you know it’s actually a conversation between a mother and a son? This chapter is a guide for men to understand what a godly woman looks like and how to spot one. So, as women, while it’s not directly written for us, we can still learn so much from it!
Proverbs 31 is like a blueprint. The woman described there—strong, industrious, caring—seems almost like a superhero. Managing a family, supporting her husband, running businesses, traveling, investing… the list goes on, right?
But here’s the catch: She didn’t do it all in one day.
This chapter is written in the past tense—meaning it’s recounting her story, not a to-do list. And don’t forget, she had help—a community of servants she treated with kindness.
Ladies, give yourself some grace.
It’s easy to compare your bad day or month to someone else’s whole lifetime. But remember: even the Proverbs 31 woman had tough times. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, challenge yourself to grow into the version God is calling you to be, one step at a time.
What’s God working on in you right now?
Maybe He’s prompting you to focus on your health—because the Proverbs 31 woman had strong arms for her tasks. Maybe He’s asking you to work on your sleep habits—because she woke up early and rested when the work was done. Or maybe He’s pushing you to make money work for you, not the other way around—because she had something to give to the poor.
Here’s the key:
Life is long, so there’s no rush. Stop comparing. Let God shape you at His pace. Focus on one thing at a time, and trust His timing. In the end, your family will see the fruit of your efforts, and you’ll be celebrated for your excellence.
#proverbs31girl #letschat #travelwithme2024 #Lemon8Diary #shareyourthoughts
Building on what we've already discussed about the Proverbs 31 woman not being a perfect checklist, I've found so much peace in truly understanding why that passage was written and what it means for us today. It's not about being a superhero, but about a journey of growth. One of the most fascinating things I learned, something the OCR reminded me of, is that Proverbs 31 is actually an acrostic poem! For those unfamiliar, an acrostic poem is where the first letter of each line or stanza spells out a word or phrase. In Hebrew, each verse of Proverbs 31:10-31 begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. This wasn't just a literary flourish; it was a common way in ancient times to aid memorization. Imagine trying to recall a long passage without written copies everywhere! Knowing this completely shifted my perspective. It tells me this wasn't meant to be a rigid, daily to-do list, but a comprehensive, memorable description of an ideal, built up over a lifetime, designed to be easily taught and remembered. It makes the 'Proverbs 31 woman poem' less intimidating and more like a beautiful, structured tribute. This understanding also helps when we look at specific verses like Proverbs 31:15, which says, 'She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.' On the surface, that sounds like she’s doing everything herself, right? But the key phrase there is 'her maidservants.' The OCR also highlighted that 'the Proverbs 31 woman had help from servants.' This woman wasn't a lone wolf! She managed a household with staff, demonstrating leadership and organization, not superhuman omnipotence. It’s a powerful reminder that asking for help, delegating, and building a supportive community isn't a weakness; it's a biblical principle for effective living. This leads me to a big question I've wrestled with: what truly defines a godly woman vs. a worldly woman? For so long, I thought it was about checking off external boxes – how busy I was, how polished I looked, how much I achieved. But the more I lean into the true spirit of Proverbs 31, the more I realize it's about inner character, wisdom, and a heart surrendered to God. A 'worldly woman' might chase fleeting trends, external validation, or material wealth. A 'godly woman,' as described, embodies strength, dignity, wisdom, and kindness, not as a performance, but as an outflow of her faith. It's about being present, using our gifts, and loving those around us, even when we mess up. This journey has taught me the profound joy of imperfection. We don't have to wait until we're 'perfect' to be celebrated or to make an impact. God meets us where we are, and shapes us through our imperfections. It’s a beautiful process of becoming, not a static state of arrival. So, let’s embrace our growth, give ourselves grace, and trust that God is always working on us, one gentle step at a time, just like the story of the Proverbs 31 woman unfolds.
This is good!