Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Strong Survive
(Proverbs 31:17-20)
Traditional gender roles dictate the quality of “strength” as a fundamentally masculine quality. We think of muscle-bound weight lifters and rugged steel mill workers. Images of the strong, independent man abound—and rightly so.
Strength, however, is also an attribute rightly ascribed to the virtuous woman. The Bible says, “She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.” In a manner of speaking, she’s feminine; but she ain’t no wimp! Strength, then, is a praiseworthy attribute of every truly virtuous lady.
How should a woman be strong? Certainly, she should be physically strong. Though not a body builder, she should be able to handle physical tasks such as cleaning and laundry without fatigue. Beyond that, she should be mentally strong. That is, she should be able to handle stress and issues without constantly appealing to her husband for help “with every little thing.” She should be able to handle the children until hubby gets home. The strong woman does not call her husband at work every fifteen minutes to whine about her current embroilment with the kids.
Of course, and most importantly, she should be strong spiritually. The strong woman has a strong tie to Heaven. The strong woman has strong confidence in God. The strong woman survives, because the strong woman loves and serves the Lord Jesus, first and foremost.
