I’ve always marveled at women, who from a very young age, believed they could do anything they set their minds to. Most say they grew up hearing this empowering message from a parent or someone who played a significant role in shaping their beliefs and self-esteem.
I grew up with mixed messages. At school and work, I experienced success in many ways. At home, I couldn’t seem to do anything well enough, and I wasn’t trained or empowered to take on more responsibility, leaving me with the message,“Some things are just too hard for me.” I entered adulthood with as much self-doubt as confidence. When my mind was hijacked with the doubt-filled declaration, “I can’t do this,” my heart became vulnerable to others’ thoughts about my worth.
*What is your story? Do you lean more toward self-confidence or self-doubt?
*How often does self-doubt hold you back from trying new things and pursuing good opportunities?
*If you have high self-esteem, where does it come from?
Whether we lean toward self-confidence or self-doubt, there’s a danger of us becoming too focused on self. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).We are imperfect, and anything good in us comes from our connection to God, our relationship with Him. God’s Holy, consistent character and unchanging truth gives us reason to be confident.
During a season of struggle with self-doubt related to my skill, God used a surprising verse to strengthen my mind and heart. I believe it will encourage you, too.
“She perceives that her merchandise is profitable” (Proverbs 31:18a). This description of the godly woman in Proverbs 31 reveals she has confidence. She perceives, she realizes, she understands that the work of her hands has value. She applies her mind and skills and creates a useful product!
This godly woman doesn’t praise herself, which indicates she is not overly confident in herself. Her husband and children praise her and call her “blessed” (v.28). They recognize God is with her. Verse 31 says, “Let her works praise her in the gates.” Her character, her loving actions, and the work of her hands reflect her God.
Her Creator is the source of her confidence. He clothes her with dignity and strength of character (v. 25). She believes God’s truth that He skillfully created her in His image, worthy and respectable, full of purpose, with a mind and abilities. She understands her mind, abilities, skills, and talents are God-given. She is simply a steward of what He has given her, and ultimately, she trusts His ability and power.
Her story isn’t a story of a woman who is perfect and does everything right the first time she tries. It’s a story of a woman who surrenders herself to her Holy God, her Creator, the One who fills her soul and empowers her. Her story can be our story—minus the ancient spindles and distaff!
A Story of a Confident Woman
She fears the Lord and aims for Him above everything else in her life. He clothes her with dignity and strength of character. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
The more she grows in God…
…the more His truth guides her thoughts.
…the more His character is developed in her—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to name few!
…the more His image is displayed through her.
When her heart is surrendered to Him, she is free to think of something bigger than herself—glorifying God, enjoying Him forever, and loving others as He has loved her. When she sees her husband and children need clothing, love compels her to make them clothes. Holy God, grant me wisdom in this clothes-making endeavor, steady hands, and perseverance. Weave your love into every article of clothing.
“She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands” (v.13). She works hard to gather wool from the flocks, which her family probably owned, and flax from the fields. “She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle” (v.19). She uses a rod called a distaff to hold the raw wool or flax and keep it from tangling. With the spindle, a spool-like tool, she hand spins the raw material into finished wool or linen.
As she lovingly and skillfully weaves her creations, does she think of her Creator and praise Him using the psalm of David? Holy God, “You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” (Psalm 139:13-14). Thank You for making me in Your image and giving me a mind and the ability to create things like clothes!
The early pieces of clothing she creates contain some flaws because let’s face it, she’s not perfect. This doesn’t discourage her. She practices and improves her skill and challenges herself to create other things. “She makes bed coverings for herself” (v. 22a).
The Proverbs 31 Woman wears clothing that is purple, the color of royalty. (v.22b). She is part of the upper class, she doesn’t find her worth in her societal status. Her dignity and worth come from the King of Kings, the LORD Most High.
She takes time to ponder her work. “She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet” (v.21). Joy fills her heart as she realizes she has tried something new, developed skill, and created clothes that are serving her family well. The clothes keep them warm in winter and cool in summer and contribute to them staying healthy. God builds her confidence in her God-given abilities and helps her appreciate the beauty of work done for His Glory. Holy God, Thank You! You’ve helped me accomplish something wonderful!
Additionally, she can produce clothes of better quality and less expensive than clothes sold by the merchants.
“She perceives that her merchandise is profitable” (Proverbs 18a). She realizes her clothes are of better quality and less expensive than clothes sold by the merchants. Since other families share the need for good, affordable clothing, the product of her skillful application could serve others well.
Sometimes God uses others to help us realize our skills and talents. Perhaps she remembers the friend or neighbor who complimented her outfit. Maybe the memory comes to mind of the woman she encountered at the city gate who asked where she brought her flowing robe.
She brainstorms how she can make clothes to sell to the merchants and use the profit to buy or exchange food to feed her family and maidens. Holy God, Grant me wisdom in whether I should pursue this business endeavor.
Eventually, this happens: A business is born! Holy God, I dedicate this business to You. Use it for Your Glory. Help me to build good relationships with the merchants. Let my interactions with them be filled with integrity, love, and kindness. May they see the quality of the clothing and realize it was You who guided and blessed my work. I ask that You provide great profit. Pour out your blessings on the families who buy the clothes, and draw them close to You. Amen.
“She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants” (v.24). It’s likely she approaches merchants who aren’t interested in buying her clothing. Because she understands her worth comes from her Creator, the merchants’ “rejection” doesn’t shake her. She is confident God has led her to sell her clothing and that He will lead her to the merchant(s) He wants her to do business with. It’s all part of His bigger plan.
Our Christ-Centered Confidence
If we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, then we have a HUGE benefit over the Proverbs 31 Woman. Our Savior has come and has given us the Holy Spirit to empower us from the inside-out! Because of Christ’s work on the cross, we are forgiven and re-united in relationship with God. Christ has made us ONE WITH GOD. We can no longer view ourselves apart from Him. When doubts arise about self, we must reject them because the truth is: We are UNITED WITH GOD. We are united with our Creator, who is the source of dignity, character, wisdom, power, abilities, skill, talents, and confidence!
In Christ, your story is:
“Strength and dignity are {my} clothing.”
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
{I} perceive that {my product} is profitable.”
(Proverbs 31:25, Philippians 4:13, Proverbs 31:18a)
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I praise You for You are the Creator of the Universe. Your creativity and skill are extraordinary. Your creations are exquisite and bear Your mark of excellence.
I confess that I often admire Your beautiful paintings in the sky and Your wonderful, whispering ocean waves, but I put down Your workmanship in me. Please forgive me for viewing my worth apart from You, my Creator.
“You formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well” (Psalm 139:13-14). Thank You for making me in Your glorious image. Thank You for giving me a mind to think and dream up ideas and for abilities, skills, and talents to make those ideas a reality. Empower me, by Your Spirit, to place my confidence in You and to be a good steward of my God-given mind, abilities, skills, and talents.
Empower me to embrace and share the joy of being Your image-bearer and redeemed-by-Your-grace daughter:
“Strength and dignity are {my} clothing.”
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
{I} perceive that {my product} is profitable.”
(Pro. 31:25, Phil. 4:13, Pro. 31:18a)
In the Perfect and Capable Name of Jesus, Amen.
*CREDITS: Verses are ESV unless noted. Special thanks to my friends, Gina Watkins (Model) and Ben May (Photographer) for the Proverbs 31 Woman photos.
Encourage a sister in Christ to step out in the confidence of Christ this year by sharing this post!
