Monday, February 23, 2009
The Trusting Heart
(Proverbs 31:10-15)
Good marriages are built upon trust. Of course, trust is a two-way street. The wife must trust the husband with her heart—her feelings, emotions, dreams, and desires. Because of his position, the husband holds the keys to his wife’s happiness.
The husband must also be able to trust his wife. In fact, a woman’s fidelity to her husband’s leadership, reputation, and intimacy should be so sterling as to engender trust from her husband’s heart, not just his head. In other words, the wife should be so trustworthy as to never give her husband the slightest doubts about his confidence in her.
Practically speaking, ladies, that means that your husband should trust you in every aspect of life. For example, he should trust you to never abuse credit cards. He should have absolute confidence that you will not reveal private matters to others—even your very best friend. He should “rest assured” that you use your time profitably, rather than “hanging out” on facebook. (Ouch.)
Once a woman gains the “heart trust” of her husband, her position in his eyes is virtually unshakable. Heart trust expands the wife’s freedom and eliminates the husband’s anxiety. A husband’s heart trust is one of the most valuable possessions a wife can gain.
Of the virtuous woman it is written, “The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her.” May it be said of you.
Showing posts with label wife. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wife. Show all posts
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wisdom for the Wife - 3
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Working Woman
(Proverbs 31:13-19)
Rather than being shunned, the Bible depicts hard work as one of the greatest blessings of life. In our luxury mad society, work has, for some, become a dirty word. In fact, some folks work at avoiding work! Such should never be the attitude of a Christian woman.
Consider, for example, the Proverbs 31 gal: She worked willingly with wool and flax, crafting material necessities for her household (13). She practiced sound principles of home economics when grocery shopping (14). She was not a “sleepy head,” but rather arose before dawn to prepare a hearty, country breakfast (15). (Can I get an “Amen,” guys?)
In addition to domestic duties, she had honed her skills as a sharp business negotiator, closing significant deals to the profit of her household (16). In other words, she could function effectively both in the home and in the “real world.” You must admit, she’s quite a gal!
“How,” you ask, “did she get so good?” The answer is simple, but in our day undesirable: she worked at it. It took work to learn to weave; it took discipline to get up early; it took effort to shop efficiently; and it took devotion to fix that hearty, country breakfast. She did it all—and more—by the simple, old-fashioned, oft-derided virtue known as work! Be a working woman!
The Working Woman
(Proverbs 31:13-19)
Rather than being shunned, the Bible depicts hard work as one of the greatest blessings of life. In our luxury mad society, work has, for some, become a dirty word. In fact, some folks work at avoiding work! Such should never be the attitude of a Christian woman.
Consider, for example, the Proverbs 31 gal: She worked willingly with wool and flax, crafting material necessities for her household (13). She practiced sound principles of home economics when grocery shopping (14). She was not a “sleepy head,” but rather arose before dawn to prepare a hearty, country breakfast (15). (Can I get an “Amen,” guys?)
In addition to domestic duties, she had honed her skills as a sharp business negotiator, closing significant deals to the profit of her household (16). In other words, she could function effectively both in the home and in the “real world.” You must admit, she’s quite a gal!
“How,” you ask, “did she get so good?” The answer is simple, but in our day undesirable: she worked at it. It took work to learn to weave; it took discipline to get up early; it took effort to shop efficiently; and it took devotion to fix that hearty, country breakfast. She did it all—and more—by the simple, old-fashioned, oft-derided virtue known as work! Be a working woman!
Wisdom for the Wife - 4
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.
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.
Wisdom for the Wife - 5
Thursday, February 26, 2009
High Fashion
(Proverbs 31:19-23)
Ladies love fashion! New clothes, new shoes, new pocket books—new anything can bring a smile to the face and a lilt to the step (not to mention a “hit” to the wallet). Ladies enjoy sprucing themselves up—God made it that way, and men like it that way! Ladies, it’s OK, while emphasizing the “hidden man of the heart,” to catch your husband’s eye!
In fact, the virtuous woman did just that. Her clothing was sumptuous—“silk and purple” (22). She wore the finest she could afford, augmenting her natural attractiveness with modest, albeit trendy, clothing and accessories. In short, the virtuous woman was not dowdy.
In some Christian circles, dowdiness is the order of the day—often being confused with “modesty.” Simply put, the biblical virtue of modesty may be defined as “clothes that cover but do not cling.” There is plenty of room for fashion in that definition! Therefore, it is not necessary for virtuous women to dress as if they just stepped off the set of “Little House on the Prairie.”
Quite to the contrary, the virtuous woman’s husband is “known in the gates” as a man who married a “trophy” wife, one who keeps herself neat, sweet, and petite! Can fashion reflect virtue? Proverbs says it can and does! What should you do now, ladies? Preacher’s advice: Shop till you drop!
High Fashion
(Proverbs 31:19-23)
Ladies love fashion! New clothes, new shoes, new pocket books—new anything can bring a smile to the face and a lilt to the step (not to mention a “hit” to the wallet). Ladies enjoy sprucing themselves up—God made it that way, and men like it that way! Ladies, it’s OK, while emphasizing the “hidden man of the heart,” to catch your husband’s eye!
In fact, the virtuous woman did just that. Her clothing was sumptuous—“silk and purple” (22). She wore the finest she could afford, augmenting her natural attractiveness with modest, albeit trendy, clothing and accessories. In short, the virtuous woman was not dowdy.
In some Christian circles, dowdiness is the order of the day—often being confused with “modesty.” Simply put, the biblical virtue of modesty may be defined as “clothes that cover but do not cling.” There is plenty of room for fashion in that definition! Therefore, it is not necessary for virtuous women to dress as if they just stepped off the set of “Little House on the Prairie.”
Quite to the contrary, the virtuous woman’s husband is “known in the gates” as a man who married a “trophy” wife, one who keeps herself neat, sweet, and petite! Can fashion reflect virtue? Proverbs says it can and does! What should you do now, ladies? Preacher’s advice: Shop till you drop!
Wisdom for the Wife - 6
Friday, February 27, 2009
The Law of Kindness
(Proverbs 31:25-27)
The sexes, it seems, have characteristic “besetting” sins. Men, for example, frequently struggle with anger and temper issues. Properly dealt with, the short fuse can be lengthened by God’s grace. Women, too, have their sin issues. Perhaps most proverbially prominent among woman are besetting sins of the tongue. Put another way, women are just plain catty (sometimes).
The virtuous woman, however, regulates her speech with a hard-and-fast rule—a “law,” if you will—the law of kindness. As a regulation, kindness dictates the virtuous woman’s communication with others. Now mind you, the law of kindness doesn’t restrict what she thinks, only what she says. Though her thoughts are her own (and, husbands, thank God you can’t read her mind!) her tongue conforms to the rule of kindness—sometimes through clenched teeth! You see, the virtuous woman understands that words, once said, can never really be taken back. She frequently chides the children, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say it at all;” and she lives by her own advice.
So, what will it be, ladies? Which will prevail, kindness or cattiness? Will you be remembered as sweet or sour? Place your tongue “under arrest” if it has violated the law of kindness!
The Law of Kindness
(Proverbs 31:25-27)
The sexes, it seems, have characteristic “besetting” sins. Men, for example, frequently struggle with anger and temper issues. Properly dealt with, the short fuse can be lengthened by God’s grace. Women, too, have their sin issues. Perhaps most proverbially prominent among woman are besetting sins of the tongue. Put another way, women are just plain catty (sometimes).
The virtuous woman, however, regulates her speech with a hard-and-fast rule—a “law,” if you will—the law of kindness. As a regulation, kindness dictates the virtuous woman’s communication with others. Now mind you, the law of kindness doesn’t restrict what she thinks, only what she says. Though her thoughts are her own (and, husbands, thank God you can’t read her mind!) her tongue conforms to the rule of kindness—sometimes through clenched teeth! You see, the virtuous woman understands that words, once said, can never really be taken back. She frequently chides the children, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say it at all;” and she lives by her own advice.
So, what will it be, ladies? Which will prevail, kindness or cattiness? Will you be remembered as sweet or sour? Place your tongue “under arrest” if it has violated the law of kindness!
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