Secure Woman of The Lord:

Recent conversations with some beloved sisters have brought up the topic of security and where security is found for women in this world today.  This world throws so many things at the darling feet of women.  I am not saying, by any means, that our sweet brothers do not deal with the same things, they absolutely do, but for this topic I am only addressing women. This brings me to the question of “what does a secure woman of the Lord look like?  How do we, as Christian women, who are seeking after our King, act when insecurities invade our life?

One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Proverbs 31, also known as the “virtuous woman” or “the woman of valor.”  This scripture shows us just what kind of a woman we need to be not only for marriage but for security as well.   I know God uses truth to set a person free and the truth of breaking free of insecurities was merely in a few words of Proverbs 31…. “She is clothed with strength and dignity.”  I want to be a virtuous woman with all my heart and have noble character but in reality the Hebrew term is most often used to convey valor. In fact the same word is translated “mighty” in God’s reference to Gideon in Judges 6:12.

“The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

Why is it translated different in Proverbs 31 just because she was a woman? Is it because it doesn’t take as much courage to be a woman as it takes to be a man? I am not sure of the courage it took during Bible time but I know how courageous women need to be today. Word Biblical Commentary translates this word using its most common meaning:

“A woman of valor, who can find ? Her value is beyond rubies”

And right there, in this portrait, of this courageous, active woman we find the words that I have been saying over and over when I am faced with doubt… “She is clothed with strength and dignity. “I want to camp here and look into this verse and unpack all the truth that it holds for us as women of the Lord.

SHE… Scriptures strong lean towards male gender reference has never upset me. For example when scripture calls all of us who believe in Christ “sons of God” I am completely fine with this referring to, male and female. I am astonished at “she” because the fact that God would highlight this passage for our female voyage was very touching to me. His word is never beyond our reach but sometimes He goes out of His way to place it right in front of us.  

 

IS CLOTHED… This picture painted in our heads by the reference to clothing speaks loudly. After all, don’t all of us sweet ladies adore a darling sundress or a perfect pair of jeans? I think it is very interesting that the Lord used “clothed. “ I am not sure about you but the first thing I think of about “clothing” with insecurities would be “Am I wearing enough and covered up enough?”  I have finally come to a place where I am willing to be open about my insecurities  but I find wonderful relief in knowing that human eyes can only see it through the filter of “clothing” of my God given strength and dignity . Dear one, we are not nearly as likely to respond with the same level of insecurity when we remember how well covered we are by God. (Psalm 91:4)  

WITH STRENGTH…The scripture tells us that this woman of valor is “clothed” with two different pairs of clothing that form a perfect match . The first part of her “clothing” is strength. Why did the Lord use strength? Honestly as women what can make us feel more defeated, or weak then insecurities. When a situation happens and we know we should have handle it differently we immediately feel weak and disappointed in how we let our insecurity get to us , again. My dear one, what would happen if instead when you are attacked by a wave of doubt and fear if you simply said “ I am a God –clothed woman of valor and I have the pleasure of wearing marvelous strength like a garment.”  How would our reaction be after that statement? I mean we are women after all and honestly we know that what we wear can dramatically change us. I think we are all too familiar with standing in front of our closet door and trying on 4 different outfits before we finally leave the house. Take a look at what garment Romans 13:14 tells us to wear “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.” Beloved one, there is nothing weak about HIM.  Untainted, power resting on our very shoulders.  As women in Christ we have divine power.  During our weakest moment His strength is perfect and enough. Take joy in knowing sweet sister that if you are in Christ you are completely covered by a coat of strength… and not only strength but….

AND DIGNITY… It doesn’t say she is clothed with strength and inaccessibility. It doesn’t say she is clothed with strength and no humility. It says she is clothed with strength and dignity. This dear sister also shows that the woman portrayed in Proverbs 31 is also a really amazing wife. The word translated wife can also mean “woman” so the word could refer to one who is single as well as one who has a husband. The context of Proverbs 31 is a married woman and therefore the translation of wife is here. The reason I am stating that she was married is because some women think that they can’t be biblical wives and maintain their dignity too. To those sweet ones I say: we do not have to hate ourselves to love a man or hate a man to love ourselves.  Quite the contrary, if she has her head on straight and knows how to apply the biblical concepts correctly , a married woman who claims her dignity is far more of a treasure to her man than one who does not. A marriage is never benefited by either partner’s absence of dignity.  We can still respect, cherish and allow our husband to lead while still claiming our dignity in Christ. We do not forfeit our humility to get over our insecurity.  That brings us to the point of what does “dignity” actually mean? In Psalm 8: 3-5 the word is translated as “honor” instead of dignity but it is from the same Hebrew term and holds the same meaning.

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.”

Beloved, we have dignity because God Himself gave it to us, His most cherished creation. You and I, along with every other human on this earth have dignity because God Himself has it and He created us in His image. According to Psalm 8 we are crowned with dignity. To have dignity is to be worthy of respect. You are worthy of respect. No matter how silly insecurities have made us feel we have the right to dignity because Christ gave it to us and sweet one, He did not place it in our hands He placed it on our heads. He has crowned His beautiful bride with strength and dignity. Claim it sweet sister.