When I look at the Proverbs 31 woman, I see a woman with confidence, who is hard working, and who just has her crap together! I think when we see the list of things she is and does, it can be intimidating. And while it all may be new to us, it can benefit our lives, our relationships and our spiritual walk with God incredibly! Gird your loins ladies and lets become the Proverbs 31 woman of our dreams!
Habit #1: Up Before The Household
15 She rises while it is yet night
Proverbs 31:15
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
The Proverbs 31 woman was doing this habit before all the CEOs of today were. How often have you heard that rich people are always up before the world? I’ve heard it many times, but what I love about the Proverbs 31 woman is that she doesn’t do this to run an entire corporation, she does it to serve her family.
I’m sure her morning tasks don’t only involve food prep. I’d imagine she would take advantage of that morning time before her kids and husband are up to do as much as she can. The day will probably be met with cleaning after meals, appointments, teaching her children, and enjoying family time, so getting as much done before all of that begins seems the most prudent.
Being up before the family also ensures you can be ready for the day. This involves being awake, being dressed, showered, everything to start your day off right. The Proverbs 31 woman is a woman who is intentional about her days and ready for it.
(You can check out my morning routine post on curating the perfect morning routine OR my mom glow up routine post!)
Habit #2: Prudent Shopping
13 She selects wool and flax…
14 She is like the merchant ships,
Proverbs 31:13-14
bringing her food from afar.
Here’s what I notice about the Proverbs 31 woman; she’s intentional. I could easily run to the dollar store and pick up everything I need from there, but the sad fact about the dollar store is that the products don’t last. As much as we might think buying a 2 dollar hairbrush is a steal, it really isn’t, and you’ll need to keep buying one for awhile.
What I see here is that the Proverbs 31 woman spends money on things that last. Wool and flax (also known as linen) are two very high quality fabrics that can last a long time. As for her being compared to a ship, it refers to her not just taking what’s in front of her. She spends the time, and makes the effort to look for and find the best deals for the best products; even if that means travelling a little bit to get it. The Proverbs 31 woman is a woman who is intentional about what she buys for her family.
Habit #3: Trusts In The Lord
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
Proverbs 31:25
she can laugh at the days to come.
This passage has always been the hardest for me to relate to. How does the Proverbs 31 woman laugh at the days to come? I’m over here stressing and crying about the days to come some days! What I get from this passage is a woman who lives out Matthew 6:25-34. She knows that worrying will never add any more time to her life, why? Because the Lord is her peace and hope. She knows that God has her in His hands and she can live life joyfully knowing that. Which gives her the room to care for her family with a less anxious air.
Habit #4: Doing Everything As If For The Lord
13 She selects wool and flax
Proverbs 31:13
and works with eager hands.
The Proverbs 31 woman is a hard worker. What I love about this passage is the fact that she works with eager hands. Which means that she is excited to do the work set before her and she wants to do it. How often do we look at the tasks in front of us with disdain and annoyance? Or perhaps frustrated that we have to clean the floor again?
Doing the same things can get extremely repetitive and boring, but life is full of the repetition and boredom! It’s not fun for anyone in the house to see you looking absolutely annoyed and angry about every little thing. No one wants to be around a woman like that.
But imagine the Proverbs 31 woman exuding joy with every task she does! Not only does she draw people towards her but she brings so much peace into the home. And how much more would your kids wants to do these tasks with you? If you show disdain for the menial tasks, your kids will hate to do them as well.
Habit #5: Charitable Giving
20 She opens her arms to the poor
Proverbs 31:20
and extends her hands to the needy.
Jesus’ entire ministry was about giving to those who needed help. He gave his time, his body, his healing, his friendship, and so much more. Not only is this a beautiful trait from our Proverbs 31 woman, but it is a calling for every Christian. God talks often about the heart we should have to those in need. The Proverbs 31 woman is kind-hearted and humble woman. She gives herself to those who are poor.
Our call to give to those in need goes much farther than our weekly tithes. Jesus was on his knees, hugging and touching those that society disregarded. We can throw our money to organizations and call it “giving”, but most of the time our hearts aren’t in it.
I challenge you, sister, to give more of yourself to those in need. Perhaps there is a family in need in your church. Make them food, or help clean their house! Or maybe you have a heart for orphans or women in need. You can extend your hand to them as well by volunteering time to have an active role in their lives.
The Proverbs 31 woman gives herself wholeheartedly. She’s a busy woman, but she always leaves time for those who are in need in her community.
Habit #6: Consistent
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
Proverbs 31:11-12
and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
Here’s the truth, you don’t want to be a woman who is always forgetting to get food on the table, who never has clean clothes ready for her kids, who forgets to pack lunches and throws money at her husbands and kids instead nor do you don’t want to have a house that isn’t cared for and neglected. You don’t want to be responsible for important things like the finances and scheduling only to constantly drop the ball on them.
We can say “it’s who I am” or “that’s my [insert personality category]” or even “it’s my mental health issues”. I have to be real sister, being lazy is a sin. It isn’t a cute personality trait or something you were born with. It is a sin and our mental health can’t be our excuse to sin. (Of course if things are really tough, seek help and pray to the Lord for healing).
It isn’t impossible to be consistent. We can be diligent with the tasks set before us and give our kids and our husbands nothing to worry about. You’ve got it!
Habit #7: Financially Conscious
16 She considers a field and buys it;
Proverbs 31:16
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
Not only is the Proverbs 31 woman a business woman, she is also financially conscious. Here’s the kicker, however. She does not work to go up in the corporate chain. She works to help her husband with the finances. And, she knows how to deal with the finances. She knows where she should be investing her money, and she knows what is worth her investment. And, she takes time to consider what the best course of action is financially. She considers the future and how she intends to she a ROI. The Proverbs 31 woman understand the money and business world and she takes her one talent and makes it ten. Her and her husband are a team and make the household thrive.
Habit #8: Being Physically Fit
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
Proverbs 31:17
her arms are strong for her tasks.
Perhaps this one is a stretch, but perhaps not! Here’s how I see it: God calls us to take on a lot. We are called to do many things as Christians. To seek and save the lost, to share the good news, to care for our bodies, to care for our homes, to care for those in need, to worship Him, and the list goes on. How can we be expected to do good when we are tired and weak?
Also, how can we expect to worship God with our bodies, his temple, when we fill it with junk and neglect our physical fitness? This isn’t about weight loss, it’s about strength and endurance.
Habit #9: Building Your Faith
26 She speaks with wisdom,
Proverbs 31:26
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
A person never wakes up one morning and they are suddenly wise and can give faithful instruction to all. Proverbs 9:10-12 tells us that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. We do not have access to wisdom until we are submissive to God. And we do not gain wisdom if we are not in constant communion with God.
To all the women giving advice to others yet haven’t opened their own bibles in months, just stop. You are foolish if you are not in your Bible.
There’s always a debate on how often someone should read their Bible and what makes a “good” Christian. Well here’s the answer to end this debate: you should be in your Bible and in prayer as often as possible. And yes, that’s everyday, but it’s also throughout your day.
Here’s another truth bomb for you sister, you’re not that busy. Busyness is an excuse. The proverbs 31 woman is “busy”, but she prioritizes God over it all. Stop making the excuse that you’re busy, because you’re not. If you haven’t read your Bible yet today, stop reading this post and do that!
Habit #10: Always Prepared
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
Proverbs 31:21
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
No matter where you live, you must always be prepared for the inevitable. So many things can happen in our lives that are uncalled for. Storms that cut the power (do you have candles ready? Foods that don’t need to be heated up? Water reserved?). ACs that stop working (do you have a generator? Fans?). Cars that stop working (is there a bus pass ready? Food stored away if you can’t make the grocery store?). Unexpected sicknesses (do you have remedies? Clean sheets? Medicine ready?). The list can honestly go on. I see the Proverbs 31 woman always thinking about the possibilities and being prepared for them.
Listen, this was not meant to be a discouraging post. Thank the Lord for the grace he provides us every day. It can be hard to meet every habit every day. However, there is so much good that comes from habits such as these. You see, when I look at the Proverbs 31 woman, I see her has someone who has things put together so well that each day runs like a well-oiled machine. It isn’t stressful, it’s efficient.
Take it one day at a time!
