Friday, August 10, 2012

The Proverbs 31 Woman

I started a new 90 day study with a friend called "Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be" Living the Proverbs 31 Life. I really love it-I wanted to share part of today lesson that hit home with me.
The Proverbs 31 woman was noble and dignified. But there is nothing noble or dignified about woman that complains. Capable women don't complain. They take action to change the situation or have enough faith to accept the things they cannot change.
 
 The best gift you can give yourself and those around you is an optimistic, can do attitude. People treat us by the way we treat them. There is good in everyone if we choose to see it. By believing the best, we bring out the best. The same is true for circumstance, even if that good is merely the opportunity to become a more patient, more compassionate, or wiser person. Look for the lesson; look for the positive. Seek and surely you will find.
 
Of course if you look for the negative, you can always find that as well. But why would you want to? You can look at all that is right with the world and the people in it and be happy or you can look at all the is wrong with everyone and everything and be miserable, which will rob you of joy and peace and make you and those around you unhappy.

 "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:1)
 
I feel like I have been struggling with a "why me" or "why this" attitude for a few months.  I needed to get my attitude adjusted and this study so far has certaintly done that.  I am excited to read more and study more about the Proverbs 31 women.  I have always loved this scripture but to be honest (like many women I  have talked with) wondered if that was possible.  I have so enjoyed just the first week and look forward to the next 83 days-praying I will become more like the Proverbs 31 mom, wife, daughter, friend and most of all Christian woman, that God has called me to be.
 
On this Pathway-
Jill

7 comments:

Debbie said...

Good morning...this sounds like a wonderful study. It is just soo true. I think the biblical principle also applies here from Gal 6:7 "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap." If our attitudes and outlooks are always negative and complaining, then we will certainly be miserable and unhappy right along with it. And likewise of course if our attitudes are positive and loving then we will reap a much happier spirit. Seems like a no brainer huh? And yet we fight it so for some reason. Thanks for these reminders this morning. When times are especially tough, we need REALLY need that. Have a good day!

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

This is great...I needed it so much.

Keep sharing and I will be gleaning from you.

Now I will keep this in mind as I renew my mind and change my attitude..oh those "why Me?" "why?" invasions

Unknown said...

KM said...

I can relate to what you said. There are so many studies on the Proverbs 31 woman. Of course, studying about her is great when it’s done in the proper context. However, there are tons of studies about the Proverbs 31 woman, yet there is little to no conversation or study about the Proverbial Man of Noble Character. His description is just as Biblically sound and relevant.

Have you ever considered doing a study or post about the Proverbial Man of Noble Character?

A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel. Pro 1:5
Reprove a wise man and he will love you. Pro 9:8
Give instruction to a wise man and he will be still wiser, Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning. Pro 9:9
…a man of understanding holds his peace. Pro 11:12
The generous man will be prosperous, And he who waters will himself be watered. Pro 11:25
A good man will obtain favor from the LORD. Pro 12:2
A wise man is he who listens to counsel. Pro 12:15
A prudent man overlooks an insult. Pro 12:16
A righteous man hates falsehood… Pro 13:5
Every prudent man acts with knowledge. Pro13:16
He who walks with wise men will be wise. Pro 13:20
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children. Pro 13:22
The sensible man considers his steps. Proverbs 14:15
A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil. Pro 14:16
He who is slow to anger has great understanding. Pro 14:29
A man of understanding walks straight. Pro 15:21
…he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Pro17:27.
What is desirable in a man is his kindness. Pro 19:22
A righteous man who walks in his integrity– How blessed are his sons after him. Pro 20:7
A wise man scales the city of the mighty And brings down the stronghold in which they trust. Pro 21:22
A prudent man sees danger, and hides himself… Pro 22:3, 27:12
A wise man is strong, And a man of knowledge increases power. Pro 24:5
For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity. Pro 24:16
A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who makes haste to be rich will not go unpunished. Pro 28:20
A fool always loses his temper, But a wise man holds it back. Pro 29:11

Unknown said...

KM-All great verses and I would agree but this is a 90 day study based off of the Proverbs 31 woman as an example to follow-the author is breaking down what the verses mean and how most studies make her out to be something we can not obtain but it reality it is all things we can do and be. It is more of a 90 day study that shows us how we can simply things in our lives through ways the are of God and about when we put Him first (prayer-daily devotions ect) how the other things fall into place. I don't know if I am explaining this so that you understand what I am saying. I have just really been blessed by the study so far and wanted to share so of the things the author had shared that day that made me think. Thanks for stopping by and for you comment.

Onlythemanager said...

It sounds like a great study!

Shannon Wallace said...

Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving me such kind words about my precious Ethan, and sharing your experience. I am happy that your daughter survived her accident--PTL! Again--thank you for reading and following me. It blesses my soul that I can reach out to others with our loss and glorify Him in some way.

A couple of years ago before Ethan passed, I lead a Porverbs 31 study by Elizabeth George! I love studying Proverbs 31. So convicting, yet such a simple and complete model of how we should serve our Lord and our families!

Unknown said...

I think there's more to the Proverbs 31 woman than people initially realize when just reading the passage. I've incidentally been reading a new book by Dr. Tony Evans and his daughter, Chrystal Evans Hurst called "Kingdom Woman" that has given me new insights. Right off the bat they talk about the Proverbs 31 woman being the hallmark of kingdom women, "But the Proverbs 31 woman is not the model of a perfect woman. Neither is a kingdom woman called to perfection. Women, you can be a Proverbs 31 woman and more - but that doesn't mean you do it all at the same time." They talk about life flowing through seasons and about getting help, not trying to do it
all. It's really eye-opening. If you're interested in Dr. Evan's book, they have information and even free devotional downloads at kingdomwomanbook.com. I hope it blesses you as it has blessed me.