Capable, precious, trustworthy.
Worker, provider, planner.
Strong, energetic, watchful.
Compassionate, encouraging, uplifting.
Meets needs, looks ahead, spends wisely.
Known for strength, honor, and wisdom.
Instructor, overseer, example.
Loved, honored, praised.

No, not a job advertisement but a description. Wouldn’t you love to be described in this way? If the description looks familiar, you will find a more complete portrait of this woman in Proverbs 31:10-31. Reading through the passage, I think all women would agree the Proverbs 31 woman is hard to live up to. You can become exhausted just looking through the list of all she does!

Her description is given as a portrait of what a wise wife and mother look like. Her life is not meant to be a checklist or description of how each woman should live. Instead, she shows women how to live everyday life in a way that brings honor to God.

I think Proverbs 31:30 captures it best.

“Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”

The Proverbs 31 woman walks closely with God, allowing Him to guide her every step. She loves God with all of her heart, seeks Him in all she does, and follows His ways with obedience. As the truths of God’s Word penetrate her mind and heart, He is seen through all she does. God gives her strength and wisdom to do all He calls her to do. He is evident in the life she lives, and everyone who crosses her path is blessed because of her.

The reason the Proverbs 31 woman could do all she did was because God was her priority. She followed Him with her whole heart and let Him guide her life. So, while she may seem to be a woman none of us could ever live up to, we don’t need too. God only wants us to follow her example of seeking Him. He wants us to make Him the priority in our lives, then He will guide us in the life He has called us to live. He will bless us with godly wisdom, and we will influence our family and all around us as they see God in every part of our lives.

While you may not do all the things that describe the Proverbs 31 woman, you can be described like her as you grow in your awe of who God is. When you seek Him with all of your heart and follow His ways, the truths and wisdom of God flow out of you, guiding all you do. You teach those around you how to walk in God’s ways and follow Him with your whole heart. Growing in His wisdom through time spent with Him, not only will you be blessed, but you will be a blessing to those around you. Living a godly life is not marking off a checklist. Rather it is seeking to know God, allowing His truths to penetrate your heart and change you. As you fear God and grow in His wisdom, you will bless and be blessed.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.” (Psalm 111:10)