Have you ever read about the Proverbs 31 Woman and been completely defeated? How in the world can we live up to that standard? I’ll be honest, I used to skim over that part, knowing that there was no way. Add in small children to the equation, and I’m done. There’s no way. But Proverbs 31 was not written as some unattainable goal or a chapter of Scripture that we can just skip over. It’s a chapter that we really need to look at and delve into.
That’s why I joined forces with 10 other bloggers to bring you Set Apart: Becoming a Woman of Virtue in the Modern World. It’s a 28-day devotional that covers the virtues found in Proverbs 31:10-31. We have also included verse cards, printables, and a Study Guide. Our prayer is that we, as women, won’t be afraid of the Proverbs 31 Woman anymore. But that we will take her lead and start the journey to developing the virtues found in Scripture in our own lives. Some will obviously come easier than others, but they are all attainable. It just won’t happen overnight.
Here is a sample devotional from Set Apart:
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:12
by Kendra Stamy
She does him good. What does that mean? Nearly the entire chapter of Proverbs 31 talks about all the good things she does. Isn’t it a bit redundant to say “she does him good”? Isn’t caring for her household, being a good steward, and reaching out to the poor, doing good?
She does him good. Him. The focus is on her husband. So how does a wife do her husband good? When I read this I see an issue of the heart, and a focus on doing her husband well in all things.
Many women seem to be extremely gifted with an abundance of words. When we have a good day you will know it, and when we have a bad day you will also hear about it. Our words can be a blessing or curse to those around us.
One thing I have noticed among women is that we tend to try to one-up the person speaking. “Oh your boss was crabby yesterday? Well you should hear what my co-worker did to me!” Or “Your child woke you up 3 times last night? At least he wasn’t puking like mine was last week.”
What happens when the conversation turns to our husbands? Do we do him good?
I have heard some of the worst husband-bashing conversations and sadly enough, in the past I joined in. Even worse, I was in a group of Christian women who were old enough to know better. I had been married less than a year, and in order to fit in and be like these “seasoned wives” I found some trash to toss at my dear husband as well. It didn’t do him good, and it didn’t honor him at all.
Doing him good means using our words to build him up and support him, even when he is not around. When we only say good about our husbands it turns our focus from his annoying, quirky traits, back to the very reasons we married him. Additionally, we may continue to discover new and wonderful things about him that we had not noticed before.
The words we use are our own choice. We can choose words to do him good or we can choose to do him harm. Will your words bring him honor, or dishonor?
One parting thought: If we look forward to verse 23, it states that her husband is known in the gates and that he sits among the elders of the land. How did he get there in that place of honor? Could it be because his wife showed him great honor first?
Today’s Prayer:
Father, I come to you now, praying that you will guide my tongue. I pray that you will help me to see and make mention of the good in my husband. I pray that you will give me the words that will build him up and do him good. Whether I am speaking to him or to others, I pray that my words will honor him always. ~Amen
What do you think? It’s good stuff, isn’t it?
We pray that you will be blessed through this study of Proverbs 31.
To purchaseSet Apart, click the book cover below.
What the Author’s are Saying
Kendra Stamy, A Proverbs 31 Wife
Ultimate perfection is what many of us see when we look at the Proverbs 31 woman. This is impossible to obtain, so why try? Writing this helped me to realize that the Proverbs 31 woman is comprised of many admirable character traits. By breaking down this chapter I realized that I actually have many of these traits, and it makes the ones I don’t have look achievable in bite sized pieces.
Sarah Nichols, Simple Life, Abundant Life
Doing research for this book I learned so much more about the Proverbs 31 woman. I think it’s important to be inspired by her rather than intimidated by her. After all, we are all on a journey, growing and changing each day, to become who God has designed us to be.
Jennifer Fountain, Growing Up Triplets
It can be easy to become overwhelmed when seeing what the Proverbs 31 woman looks like – but He’s not calling me to immediately “be” this woman. He’s called me to pursue a more Christ-like image. This takes a lifetime of learning and being shaped by His Spirit. This devotional helps me to break this chapter down and plan some practical application for my life – I love it!
Karli Von Herbulis, Feed Me Mama
So often, we as women get bogged down in all of the things we are supposed to DO, and forget who we are called to BE. The Proverbs 31 woman is a beautiful example of fulfilling this calling, and this devotional breaks down her character into specific traits for us to work through with The Lord. Whether you are a new Christian, a new wife, or a seasoned veteran in both, you will be both challenged and encouraged by this study- I know I have been!
Anjanette Barr, Raising the Barrs
There are attributes described in Proverbs 31 that have always appealed to me – but more that have terrified me. Contributing to this study forced me to really delve into the purpose of this passage and my personal reasons for resisting it. What a blessing to discover that our loving God dreams big dreams for us and that women are capable of so very much in Him!
Virginia George, Virginia George.com
Prior to writing this study, every time I heard the words “virtuous woman” my brain would shut off. “I’m not her, I’m not ever going to be her, so what’s the point?” Even the words “virtuous woman” were intimidating. But I have gained perspective in how I relate to this Ideal Woman. I am learning that we aren’t expected to be all these things all the time, and that’s where I got caught up. I’m human, I fail. And I’m plain old bad at some of this stuff. But through this study I learned that it’s okay to struggle, it’s okay to fail, and it’s okay that I’m not perfect.
Whitney Cornelison, Beauty in the Mess
I’ll be honest, I used to skim over Proverbs 31, knowing that there was no way I could ever measure up. Add small children to the equation, and that was that. There’s no way. But Proverbs 31 was not written as some unattainable goal, or a chapter of Scripture that we can just skip over. It’s a chapter that we really need to look at and delve into. Each verse contains attributes that are attainable. It’s a lifelong journey worth taking.
Our Awesome contributors to this book:
Kendra Stamy, A Proverbs 31 Wife.
Danielle Tate, More Than Four Walls.
Sarah Nichols, Simple Life, Abundant Life.
Jennifer Fountain, Growing Up Triplets.
Karli Von Herbulis, Feed Me Mama.
Anjanette Barr, Raising the Barrs.
Virginia George, Virginia George .Com.
Rachel Marie, Day to Day Joys.
Crystal Hatcher, Wisdom Seeking Mommy.
Whitney Cornelison, Beauty in the Mess.
Ashley Roe, Joyful Thrifty Home*
*Ashley from Joyful Thrifty Home is the talented designer of the eBook and printables.