Found this wonderful article: THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN

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THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN TODAY

Often women believe that Proverbs 31 doesn’t really apply to our modern lives. Here at A Virtuous Woman, we believe that God’s Word stands the test of time. I wrote the 10 Virtues of the Proverbs 31 Woman as the mission statement for A Virtuous Woman, but soon realized that it was more than a mission statement. The 10 Virtues of the Proverbs 31 Woman demonstrates how, as Christian women today, we can all be Proverbs 31 Women, even if we are not today, we can strive for tomorrow!

THE 10 VIRTUES OF THE PROVERBS 31 WOMAN

1. Faith – A Virtuous Woman serves God with all of her heart, mind, and soul. She seeks His will for her life and follows His ways. (Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 31: 29 – 31, Matthew 22: 37, John 14: 15, Psalm 119: 15

2. Marriage – A Virtuous Woman respects her husband. She does him good all the days of her life. She is trustworthy and a helpmeet. (Proverbs 31: 11- 12, Proverbs 31: 23, Proverbs 31: 28, 1 Peter 3, Ephesians 5, Genesis2: 18)

3.  Mothering – A Virtuous Woman teaches her children the ways of her Father in heaven. She nurtures her childrenwith the love of Christ, disciplines them with care and wisdom, and trains them in the way they should go. (Proverbs 31: 28, Proverbs 31: 26, Proverbs 22: 6, Deuteronomy 6, Luke 18: 16)

4. Health – A Virtuous Woman cares for her body. She prepares healthy food for her family. (Proverbs 31: 14 – 15, Proverbs 31: 17, 1 Corinthians 6: 19, Genesis 1: 29, Daniel 1, Leviticus 11)

5. Service – A Virtuous Woman serves her husband, her family, her friends, and her neighbors with a gentle and loving spirit. She is charitable. (Proverbs 31: 12, Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20, 1 Corinthians 13: 13)

6. Finances – A Virtuous Woman seeks her husband’s approval before making purchases and spends money wisely. She is careful to purchase quality items which her family needs. (Proverbs 31: 14, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 18, 1 Timothy 6: 10, Ephesians 5: 23, Deuteronomy 14: 22, Numbers 18: 26)

7.  Industry – A Virtuous Woman works willingly with her hands. She sings praises to God and does not grumble while completing her tasks. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 16, Proverbs 31: 24, Proverbs 31: 31, Philippians 2: 14)

8. Homemaking – A Virtuous Woman is a homemaker. She creates an inviting atmosphere of warmth and love for her family and guests. She uses hospitality to minister to those around her. (Proverbs 31: 15, Proverbs 31: 20 – 22, Proverbs 31: 27, Titus 2: 5, 1 Peter 4: 9, Hebrews 13: 2)

9. Time – A Virtuous Woman uses her time wisely. She works diligently to complete her daily tasks. She does not spend time dwelling on those things that do not please the Lord. (Proverbs 31: 13, Proverbs 31: 19, Proverbs 31: 27, Ecclesiastes 3, Proverbs 16: 9, Philippians 4:8 )

10. Beauty – A Virtuous Woman is a woman of worth and beauty. She has the inner beauty that only comes from Christ. She uses her creativity and sense of style to create beauty in her life and the lives of her loved ones. (Proverbs 31: 10Proverbs 31: 21 – 22, Proverbs 31: 24 -25, Isaiah 61: 10, 1 Timothy 2: 9, 1 Peter 3: 1 – 6)

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My Performance + Others’ Opinions = My Self Worth

I am currently reading a book by  - Joanna Weaver Having a Mary Spirit and came across this in one of her chapters. It was so powerful; I wanted to share it with you!

My Performance + Others’ Opinions = My Self Worth

Swallowing this lie caused me to live as though I held a mirror in my hand. I held it up to other people and their response told me who I was. If they smiled, I was a good person. If they frowned, I was bad. If they welcomed me with their expression, I had value. But if they remained detached or looked away, their disinterest wasn’t due to fatigue or a bad day. No. I had obviously messed up and deserved their rejection. I had disappointed them somehow, and made myself unworthy of their love.

And, as a result unworthily of God’s love as well.

Let me tell you, there is no more miserable, schizophrenic way to live! For that particular mind-set pushes us not only to be what God wants us to be, but also what everyone else wants us to be, including everything I think they want me to be. A chronic chameleon, I spend my life constantly changing colors and outfits in order to fit whatever situation I find myself in. It’s exhausting. Futile. Hopeless!

Refusing to play the approval game – yet holding on to the lie- can be just as destructive! Some of us, have failed and experienced the pain of disapproval so often that we have given up and have withdrawn into a shell of hurt, numbness or depression. Shame and regret from the past tell us we will never be different, that we are incapable of changing. Fear of making a mistake any keep us from trying anything at all.

Whether we respond with perfectionism or withdrawal or a combination of the two, the results are just the same. We develop a “have to” mentality toward life rather than a “want to”.  We settle for legalism instead of grace. We miss Christ’s joy and peace in our pursuit of human approval and applause.

Worst of all, we may persist in viewing God as an aloof and distant judge, holding up a scorecard to rate our every attempt to please Him, rather than seeing Him as He truly is – a loving Father on bended knee with hands outstretched and a smile as big as eternity. Praising our every step. Picking us up when we stumble. Helping us walk while He teaches us how to run. Ready with the acceptance and approval we have been killing ourselves to obtain on our own.