How many times have you felt overwhelmed by all that you juggle? Trying to maintain the home, be present with your husband or maybe children, working, spending time with Jesus, and everything in between…it is so much to balance.
Oftentimes when I find myself falling into a rut or a place of feeling overwhelmed, I look to the Word of God for wisdom. Proverbs 31 outlines a perfect woman/wife.
more precious than jewels (v 10)
husband’s heart trusts in her (v 11)
honors her husband and builds him up (v 12)
hard worker (v 13-14, 16)
provides for family day and night (v 15)
prepares food and stores things so her family has no lack (v 16, 21)
she is strong (v 17)
good money manager (v 18)
generous and tender and toward poor (v 20)
husband is respected (v 23)
she is clothed in courage and gritty and dignity-she’s walked through hard and is ready for what lies (ahead. She knows how to fight her battles with the sword of the Spirit and worship) (v 25)
she is wise and speaks truth in love (v 26)
her children see that she is rooted and a strong woman of God (v 28)
her husband adores her and elevates her above other women (v 28)
she knows her true beauty lies within her heart and she radiates because she spends time with the Lord (v 30)
she will see the fruit of her hands (v 31)
This passage is one that people point to when speaking about a godly woman. She is a woman of valor who works hard, prepares for the future, is honored by her husband, and so on. This is the woman that many of us aim to be like, right?
But let’s be honest, sometimes we can feel intimidated by this, right? Proverbs 31 outlines what a perfect woman or wife looks like. But how in the world are we supposed to be all these things to everyone and still stay sane?
I know I sometimes feel overwhelmed by this. I work, clean, buy the food, cook the food, try to be a good friend, an encouraging wife, and good leader at church, even fur momma, and many other things. I sometimes feel stretched thin although I want to do and be all these things. I see the Proverbs 31 woman and say, “well shoot, I should be working harder on that too.”
But I am learning this… it is okay if we are not all things for all people. Sister, it is okay if you don’t have it all together at all times.
One thing that my mom reminded me of is that we do not have to obtain all these qualities of a Biblical woman in a day, a month, or even a year. There is a season for everything.
We will have seasons to plan and prepare for the future.
Seasons of hardship that make us persevering, courageous women.
Times of plenty, and times of lack.
Days of hard work and/or cleaning and also days of rest.
Moments where we feel so connected with our husbands, and also moments where life is so busy and we are fighting to have that intimate time to connect with one another.
The Proverbs 31 woman is a great example for us to follow. But we must release ourselves from the pressure of accomplishing all she accomplished in a certain amount of time.
Ladies, we do not have to strive to be all these things all at the same time. It is about a lifetime of faithfulness and practicing different disciplines.
Doesn’t it feel good to know that we are released from the pressure of doing or being the perfect woman? We just need to be faithful in whatever season we are in.
So, sister, it’s okay if you feel that you don’t have it all together and aren’t everything for everyone. Being a Proverbs 31 woman is about faithfulness and seasons. You can free yourself from unneeded pressure and just pursue what God has put in front of you for this stage of life. And know, that is enough.
Journey to Dominican 