Tag Archives: proverbs 31

Favor is Deceitful and Beauty is Vain

Beauty, Confidence, Faith, Life, , , , , ,

“Favor is deceitful, beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30

As a young church girl, I thought this scripture meant that it was wrong to be beautiful, that I shouldn’t want the favor of anyone, and that I should be afraid of God.

Wow was I off!

Many other times in Proverbs it is said that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. The understanding of fear that I had as a child is not the kind of fear God desires of us. We should fear Him like we fear fire; a better word may be RESPECT.  When we don’t understand God’s heart–or fire–we will run  away from it instead of enjoying it.

When we are afraid of God we may work with all our might for His approval–that was me, I really had to wrestle with the meaning of this verse because I wanted to please God, but beauty was my passion. Continue reading Favor is Deceitful and Beauty is Vain →

Can You Help Ugly Become Beautiful?

Confidence, Life, , , , ,

If you have ever heard of the Proverbs 31 woman, you know she is amazing. She is someone we all want to be, she does it all, has it all, makes it all, and IS it all! She is the wise, ambitious, strong, organized woman of God who loves her husband, children, and servants. She honors, adores, and guards them and meets their every need- even if she has to get on a ship to get the good!. She puts others first,  cares for the poor and supports the local merchants. She takes the  time to dabble in real estate, plant vineyards and make fine tapestry. Not only that, but she eats right and stays in shape!

Oh, and one more thing.

She seeks wool and flax, and willing works with her hands. –Prov 31:13

How often we overlook that one…

We all want to be worth “far more than rubies” like her, don’t we? I mean, I want to plant a vineyard! I love grapevines. I want my husband to safely trust me, to lack nothing and to be well known in the “city gates.” I believe charm is deceitful and beauty is passing; I fear the Lord; I want to be praised!

I’d love for my children to rise up and call me blessed one day… Continue reading Can You Help Ugly Become Beautiful? →

5 Checks for Confidential Beauty

Confidence, Personal Style, , , , ,

It’s inevitable, whenever I speak to young ladies about beauty, that someone asks me to address the topic of modesty.  Personally, I prefer to use the term dignity, since the word “modesty” is often interpreted as stale, legalistic control that only spurs on rebellion in those who love fashion. In a recent discussion on the matter, a young man, who had overheard me talking with a group of girls, told his friend that we were discussing “confidential beauty.”

Immediately, I felt a blog coming on….

Modesty is not old and ugly; it is dignified and commands respect, like confidentiality.

Continue reading 5 Checks for Confidential Beauty →

Do You Fear the Future?

Confidence, Life, , , ,

My world came to a holt last week.

When someone you love is fighting for her life, it is hard to continue yours. Things that used to seem so important just don’t matter anymore. At the same time, priorities that used to be mundane begin to hold much more weight. It’s times like this when we need a strength beyond our own.

My “What2Wear Wednesday“ blog is coming out a bit late in the day because I really couldn’t find the words of encouragement to share this morning. In all my worry for my family I forgot to get dressed.

Proverbs 31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

Don’t you just wish you could be like the Proverbs 31 woman? I do. Talk about Confident Beauty!

I want to “laugh without fear of the future” but instead I am burdened with stress. Was this ancient woman really filled with joy even when life was difficult? If she really found the secret, then certainly each of us can, too!

Honestly, I think the key to her confidence is that she knew What2Wear.

She wore strength and dignity.

I could use some strength right now, couldn’t you? Where can we find the beautiful garment of strength?

And dignity, do we even know what that is anymore?

DSC01828dignity |ˈdignitē| noun (pl. dignities)
the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect: a man of dignity and unbending principle | the dignity of labor.
• a composed or serious manner or style: he bowed with great dignity.
• a sense of pride in oneself; self-respect: it was beneath his dignity to shout.
• a high or honorable rank or position: he promised dignities to the nobles in return for his rival’s murder.

Sometimes when I read Proverbs 31,  I feel as if I could never measure up to the amazing woman described there. It’s only natural to I criticize her, “surely she had no problems! Or else she was very naive.” But the definition of dignity ruins thisjudgment, doesn’t it? She wasn’t a laughing fool trying to hide her fear and pain. She had dignity.

Today I am challenged to remain composed with a self-respect that allows feelings–but does not allow fear–in the face of life’s difficulties.  If you, too, are ready to face the days ahead with strength, dignity and joy, come what may, then would you join me in making a commitment to no longer laugh as if there are no problems and no longer allow our world to come to a holt when the problems are big? Let us look to Proverbs 31 for What2Wear and choose what attitudes we wear with wisdom so that we can laugh at the days to come. The best part is, we do not have to purchase the “garment” we can borrow the strength and dignity of Someone who paid a big price for it.

2 Corinthians 12:10b For when I am weak, then I am strong