The Proverbs 31 Woman...She was Human Too

The Proverbs 31 woman. Sometimes she’s inspiring. Other times convicting. Occasionally she’s maybe even a little annoying. How are we supposed to be like her? A few months ago I read Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian with some friends, and before I even finished the introduction, I took out my Bible, hand wrote Proverbs 31:10-31, and I posted it in front of my kitchen sink so that I can see it throughout the day. I experience every mood possible while standing in front of my kitchen sink. Sometimes I wash dishes joyfully and full of energy while listening to Pandora or a Focus on the Family Podcast. Sometimes I’m anxious, angry, or upset with circumstances that may or not be dishes related.

One particular day, I was tired and irritable. I wasn’t grateful that my sweet husband had tried to help tidy up, and I glanced at my bulletin board to see a few scattered verses about this puzzle piece in our Old Testament. “(11) Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life…(17)She is energetic and strong, a hard worker…(28) Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her.”

After reading those verses, I thought to myself, “but she was human.” These attributes are not natural, and they did not happen overnight. There was a time when her husband was doing the dishes differently and she held her tongue. When the living room was poorly tidied and she quietly accepted it. There may have been moments when anxiety and worry threatened to take over and create uncontrollable emotions that took her years to learn how to breakthrough. This chapter describes her for what she did and who she became, but it does not explain how she arrived there.

It wasn’t easy, and if I was a betting gal, I’d put money down that each day was a continual display of discipline and victory over her natural, human desires and behavior. I’d even guess some days weren’t victories.

And that…should give us hope.

There’s only one perfect person in Scripture. His name is Jesus. He calls us to follow the examples of our elders (Titus 2:4), and He has provided several in His Word. They are not perfect, and that should be music to our ears.

I don’t want to be so controlling over how things are in my home that my husband, child, or guests don’t feel comfortable helping out. I want my husband to be able to trust me and talk to me without feeling like he needs to tread carefully because I might explode. I don’t want to be tired or lazy or weak. I want my children (now and future) to be able to stand and be happy and grateful and blessed that God let me be their mom.

The Proverbs 31 woman is praised because she daily decided to ask her Creator to help her be the wife, mom, daughter, sister, and friend that He made her to be. That’s what He calls us to do. We’re only human. She was too. That means, with the help of our Lord, all things (including sanity in the midst of household chores, toddler tantrums, and shower-less days) really are possible (Matt. 9:26).

If you’ve never taken a moment, or just need a good refresher from the word of God, give this a read. And maybe a spot in front of your kitchen sink.

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is worth more than precious rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She will not hinder him but help him all her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchants ship; she brings her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. She goes out to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She watches for bargains; her lights burn late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.

She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.

She has no fear of winter for her household because all of them have warm clothes. She quilts her own bedspreads. She dresses like royalty in gowns of finest cloth.

Her husband is well known, for he sits in the council meeting with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs with no fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise and kindness is the rule when she gives instructions. She carefully watches all that goes on in her household and does not have to bear the consequences of laziness.

Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her; “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publically declare her praise.

Proverbs 31:10-31