A simple Devotion: Proverbs 31 and the non-stressed christian woman you’re aiming to be
If you are a Christian mum, chance are you will have read the passage, or included a devotion - Proverbs 31 is a classic collection of verses in the Bible which share the ‘perfect woman’ as part of the sayings of King Lemuel in Proverbs.
But many women I meet are struggling to fulfil this ideal - in fact many find it lowers morale, because we read it as ‘more to do’ and ‘I’m failing’, rather than seeing this beautiful passage as an inspiration.
This is a simple devotion for Proverbs 31 and the Millennial Christian mum who wants to build emotional health and feel peace and love, and know you don’t need to feel unnecessary guilt anymore.
(Because I really don’t think that’s why God allowed this to be included in the Bible.)
A Simple Devotion: Proverbs 31 and the non-stressed christian woman you’re aiming to be
Simple devotion for Christian women, with a free Bible devotion printable on the Proverbs 31 woman. Proverbs 31 woman quotes. #proverbs31woman #christianmumblog #christianmom #freeprintable #printabledevotion
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Reading this simple Proverb has sustained hard-working, God-fearing women for generations. The beautiful message within invokes a very romantic view of how powerful a woman’s role is within the family, community and in the eyes of God.
While this passage provides inspiration to many women, if we are already overwhelmed, we might find ourselves exhausted by the effort it takes to try and be the woman we feel we should be according to this!
This devotion is intended to meet you in the middle - sharing not only the inspiration but applying the Proverbs 31 woman to our modern-day, millennial-mum context, so we can feel inspired but also learn to relax into what God has for us in our already busy lives.
For this, we will do a little Adjective study around how the woman in this passage is described, and apply what we learn to our own lives.
Do you feel inspired when you read the Proverbs 31 passage - or like you could ‘never measure up’?
I don’t think God thinks like that - let’s jump into the study!
Some of the adjectives described (and implied) in this devotion: Proverbs 31 are:
virtuous
capable
precious
energetic
strong
compassionate
hard worker
fearless
profitable
creative, trusted and calm
trusting
kind
careful
wise
god-fearing
But why are these adjectives helpful?
Often looking at the descriptive words in a passage can give us more overall meaning rather than have us distracted by the context.
Let’s face it, not many of us are spinning flax, making our own bedspreads, creating belts to sell, or have our husbands sitting at the city gate, either.
These simple adjectives are much easier to apply to our lives, or to use to bring others to mind who exemplify these character qualities. So, let’s go through a few questions.
What do you feel when you read these adjectives?
Do you feel like you relate to these - can you see them in your own life? For instance, would you be considered kind, or compassionate?
What do you think God thinks when He looks at you? Ask someone close to you what they think. Which ones do they see in you?
If you are a millennial Christian woman who feels ashamed and embarrassed to admit that you aren’t like the Proverbs 31 woman, please remember that God isn’t out there to shame you! He wants to love you - and this is why using these adjectives is very helpful to release some of the expectations and increase the freedom that God gives us!
Do a little word study on the word precious in the Bible. Access the free printable version of this devotion here (with a printable Proverbs 31) to grab some more verses to look up to help!
Here are some more things I discovered in my Devotion: Proverbs 31 journey:
‘She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.’
Do you bring your husband good? Do you wish him good every day? This is the type of partnership Paul speaks about in Ephesians, where the ‘husband and wife submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.’ (Eph 5:21) A mutually cherishing arrangement, working together.
‘She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household.’
She is prepared, making sure each person is sustained - and I feel like this verse is not just meaning physically, but mentally prepared, too. If you’ve ever gotten up early, this can create exactly the type of calm you need to ‘prepare’ for the day - and for your children to wake.
‘With her earnings she plants a vineyard...she makes sure her dealings are profitable.’
She is thrifty and not wasteful with money - but she spends it on things that will benefit herself and her family in the long run! It’s OK to spend money, but it’s not a good idea to be wasteful with what God has given us.
‘When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instruction with kindness.’
This is important - she is not a bossy matriarchal woman who is sitting ‘lording it over’ those around her. She speaks with kindness, wisely and carefully - as Jesus spoke to those around Him. Are we emphasising kindness, love for those around us? Compassion, speaking truth but realising that everyone we meet is human, just like us?
Having empathy for others can be really hard, especially if your own inner child is feeling hurt, and the impact of this on your emotional health has been damaging. It’s not about being perfect, but about asking for help to engage in personal development and emotional healing to help you feel more at peace with where God has got you - and the people He has you ministering to - even if this means your children. (For many of us, this is exactly where we are meant to be!)
Conclusion of ‘Devotion Proverbs 31’:
Lastly, let’s remember that becoming the Proverbs 31 woman, while a worthy inspiration, is just meant to be that. It is not the goal of our lives - that is to listen to God and act accordingly as we measure it against the Word and His character.
You might be a vibrant woman who feels like the quiet and focus in these verses are not ‘you’. That’s OK.
You might be a peaceful mum whose children drive her crazy - and you struggle to always speak with kindness. It’s OK - do your best.
You might also be someone who has limiting beliefs (because Christians can have them too!) and need to chat to someone about why you feel ‘cut off at every turn’… and the emotional frustration that leaks out in your reactions to your family. It’s a BIG DEAL… and I’ve been there, which is why I now coach women in this area!
According to Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:8-9
‘Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.’
So, it’s OK to not be perfect in all those areas, because God, in fact, can still use you there - and His glory will shine all the brighter for it. Work on your weaknesses, for sure - but know that God is not condemning you for not being perfect. He is looking on you with love for His amazing creation!
Another thing to remember to do, is look for fruit in your life. Where do you feel the peace of God, the ‘rightness’ that is possible when you are walking in His will? That is an excellent way to judge how you’re going!
If you want the cute printable of Proverbs 31:10-31; look here for your completely free download of Devotion: Proverbs 31 to share with your people (or enjoy yourself)!
Some More Interesting Things That Might Interest You…
Grab the Joyce Meyer devotional book here
How to Stop Beating yourself up as a Millennial Christian Mother
How Mum Guilt & Social Media Can Stop You Living Your Best Life - And What To Do About It
Grab your free Mental Wellbeing Printable Planner pack here
It’s time to STOP MUM GUILT with the simple 48 page ebook on Amazon!
