Encouragement for Today

December 12, 2024 But I’m Nothing Like the Proverbs 31 Woman … LYSA TERKEURST Lee en español

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 (ESV)

Do you ever feel like you don’t measure up because of what you’ve been through?

Me too.

When I first read Proverbs 31 — which describes a woman of noble character — several years ago as a young mom, I thought the Proverbs 31 woman was overwhelmingly perfect.

Through many other seasons and hard realities I’ve walked through, I’ve found myself feeling not just intimidated by Proverbs 31 but sometimes even defeated by this woman whose entire life seems full of praises.

That’s why I feel especially tender toward those of you who would rather skip over this passage of Scripture. I know what it’s like to have these words sit heavy on your heart with a resounding declaration of I’m not enough.

But what if I told you the intention behind Proverbs 31:10-31 is celebration and not condemnation?

The first thing I want us to take note of is that this isn’t just a chapter about a wife of noble character. It’s about a woman of valor. A courageous woman. A woman of strength and dignity.

And the fact that you are reading this devotion, seeking God, and pursuing healing for the painful circumstances you’ve walked through is evidence that you are a woman of valor, courage, strength and dignity. So Proverbs 31 is for you and me.

In Jewish culture, these verses are read out loud on the Sabbath as a celebration of women. This in no way condemns women for what they aren’t; it celebrates how each woman, in her own unique expressions, can live out the virtues detailed in this chapter. These aren’t words meant to tell a woman she is supposed to be more. They are a celebration of who she is.

Isn’t that the way it should be?

Courageous women celebrating each other — and being celebrated by those they love. All under the banner of honoring God, serving out of love and smiling at the future. I also love how Proverbs 31:30 reminds us of what’s truly worth celebrating: “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

It’s not a woman with a spotless house who is to be praised. It’s not the mom with perfectly behaved children. It’s not just a woman who is married and has children.

It’s the woman who fears the Lord who is to be praised. And this type of fear refers to being completely in awe of God. It describes a woman who honors God by seeking Him in everything she does and trusting Him wholeheartedly. Her reverence overflows into a life of spiritual maturity and wisdom.

And let’s not forget to look at today’s verses within the context of why God gave us this book of the Bible. The very first chapter of Proverbs tells us it exists so we can gain wisdom, instruction, understanding, insight, knowledge, discretion and guidance. Proverbs 2:1-5 goes on to remind us that as we receive and apply God’s commands, we will be able to understand how to find the knowledge of the Lord.

Wisdom is both a gift from God and a process of learning. Proverbs 31 can easily trip us up — but what if we take God at His Word and choose to believe these words hold good and pleasant things for us? What if we challenge ourselves to look at this passage closely, receiving it as a gift to us and seeing what verses we need to learn from? What if we speak these words over ourselves and the women in our lives as a form of celebration instead of condemnation, realizing that our stories don’t disqualify us?

God tucked these words into His Word for all eternity, dear friend. And that tells me they are needed and meant for our good. Let’s ask Him to help us learn from them today.

Father God, I confess that at times I look at the Proverbs 31 woman and feel like I will never be enough. But I realize her purpose isn’t to shame me. Her example is there to remind me to look to You and live for You in all that I do. Help me receive these words from You as a gift. And show me how to live them out according to the unique way You purposefully designed me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

Proverbs 31:25, “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come” (NIV).

What does being “clothed with strength and dignity” look like for you? With God’s help, how can you approach the days to come with laughter?

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.

© 2024 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.