Proverbs 31

I started a new Bible study this week and I must say, it is EXCELLENT. I have always enjoyed Proverbs 31, and strive to live up to, but I must say, this book is doing a great job at defining what this “woman” actually looks like.

I have read Proverbs 31 what seems like 1,000 times, yet every time I read it, I get more and more out of it.

The first week has consisted of setting the groundwork. One of the big things that is emphasized is TAG time, which means Time Alone with God. Some days are definitely better than others, but this is something I have really strived to work on. When I was in middle/high school, I was so devoted to doing my devotions every morning and often at night too. It has taken me since then, to find a steady routine. When I was at Bible college, sometimes the last thing I wanted to do was do my own personal devotions. But I can tell if I am in the Word or not. I can tell in my actions and my words. When I am not in the word, I feel I am more short with people. Matthew 12:34 says: “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Amen to that! If I do not start off my day in God’s Word, I can tell the rest of the day. That is how important it is for me – it can make or break a day. Being in the “read the Bible in a year” plan, helps in this area b/c if I get just one day behind, it can be hard to catch up. As a result, I have really tried to take my TAG time seriously. Always a work in progress!

One of the quotes in the book says: “The reason the Proverbs 31 woman’s husband could have full confidence in her is because she had full confidence in God.” Well, that confidence in God has to begin somewhere and for me it’s that TAG time. Book says: “Can God have full confidence in me? Do I do the right thing even when no human is watching?” Yikes! If I were someone else, looking at me, would I have confidence in me?

And…

“The Proverbs 31 woman was noble and dignified. But there is nothing noble of dignified about a complaining woman.”

If I always think about all the bad in my life and what’s wrong with it, what good does that do? That is one lesson that God really taught both Dan and I through the tornado experience. When we saw what happened to our vehicle and we were 6 hours from home, we looked at each other and said we could either laugh or cry about it. Well, it ended up being both, but we really tried to keep our focus on what God had blessed us with – life. we were SO HUMBLED by that experience and we just hope that God keeps that experience fresh in our minds.

“There is good in everyone if we choose to see it…focus on what’s right rather than what’s wrong.”

I REALLY struggle with this one at times! As everyone has experienced, people can say some pretty hurtful things and isn’t it so tempting to just throw it right back at them? I focus on what’s wrong with people and not the fact that they are created in God’s image. By keeping my mind focused on what’s good, so much of life would change for me – worry about what other’s think, how I react to people, my mind will be more free, and I can live a truly joyous life. Completely easier said than done! Sometimes I hear people say how BAD this generation is. It bothers me to NO END because often the things they are talking about, are the same things that their generation struggled with – the stats are the same. They are NO different. So focusing on how bad this generation is, does no good. It makes you stop in your steps and you become stagnant, not doing anything to change it. When people say these things, boy does it spur me on to change what I can – there IS so much good going on. Why look past it?

As you can see, I am excited to continue in this study. I will plenty more to say, that is for sure!