A few years back, soon after we got married, I did a study called Discovering the Treasures of a Godly Woman: Proverbs 31 (A Woman After God’s Own Heart)
I learned how to be a woman of noble respect and a wife of excellence. Just to make sure you caught that, I said I learned how, not I am actively living as one. My goal in these next few months is to improve our marriage by working on myself. I plan to go back through Proverbs 31:10-31 and share with you what I am learning. The above mentioned book, by Elizabeth George, will be my reference point, and I highly recommend doing it as a bible study if you have not done it before.
Before I get started, I wanted to ask you a few questions.
- What have you done to improve your marriage, or other relationships?
- Read the section of Proverbs (31:10-31) and let me know what you most identify with. What is confusing? What makes sense and is easy for you?
- Is there another book or study guide that you would recommend for me? I am really excited to develop myself as a woman of God, and will take anything that helps me grow.
Thanks guys! I will share what I have learned with you next week! I am really excited for this season of growth in my life, and I hope it will encourage you as well!
1. Over the past year I’ve been asking the Lord to give me a heart to serve others, more than to be served. It’s been an eye-opener for me, because I’ve seen how much I want to be appreciated…instead of doing things for others simply out of love for them. Definitely a marriage improvement tool: to seek my husband’s good over my preference/convenience.
2. Proverbs 31 can be a depressing read for the woman who’s striving to be all that she should be, and never quite achieving. While the character traits listed are commendable, underlying her successes are good judgment, an enjoyment of responsibility, kindness, diligence, and the realization that when one lives to honor God the surprising outcome is often to enjoy the regard of others. The best news: we can all improve our attitudes & motivation, and we’ll find we’re more successful in life as a result.
3. I just finished Beth Moore’s study “Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman.” Deals with stepping out of our comfort zones, recognizing God’s presence even when it seems He’s nowhere to be found, and learning to recognize who we are as daughters of the King. I recommend it!
I like what you said in #2 because it reminds me that so often I read that section and groan. But I think you’re exactly right that it has a lot to do with our attitude. And we have to remind each other that we’re not in this alone. We have the support of God and each other.
Good questions, Megan!
Years ago I heard a sermon on this chapter and the pastor’s take on it was that it was sarcasm. Rather disappointing. That pastor and his wife subsequently divorced, so perhaps his perspective was the one that was skewed.
I’ve always found that to be a challenging chapter because I can’t measure up. As a teen, one of my children (ahem, Megan) accused me of not being a “Proverbs 31 woman” because she didn’t get hot breakfast every morning. So I started making a hot breakfast for her until she asked me to stop. Morning isn’t my thing, after all.
I’ll read it again with a fresh outlook, and look forward to more posts!