As we’ve been getting to know Mrs. P31, I can’t help thinking about what we aren’t told … What were her heartaches? What losses did she know? How did she suffer? What did she cry out to God about? Did she experience a miscarriage? Did she suffer from a chronic illness? Was her heart ever broken? Was her vineyard stricken by blight or theft?
Every woman’s life will encounter the unexpected, but an excellent wife is prepared.
In just the last few weeks within my “circle of wives,” I’ve heard friends facing surprises like job loss, family illness, husband’s emotional strain, and reject
ion by children. As I sat in a waiting room today, a lady came in and sat down to watch the tv showing the national news. A perfect stranger, she turned to me and poured out her fears about family life in the world we live in. She was filled with dread. There’s a lot to dread. There’s a lot to fear. That’s the meaning of the word “afraid” in Prov. 31:21.
The excellent wife “is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet” (v.21). She isn’t afraid of the unexpected occurring, because she has readied her heart and her home for the challenges of life. Sudden changes will come, but she won’t be caught unprepared. Her husband is blessed because of her foresight.
Every woman’s life will encounter the unexpected, so before hardship hits, live ready:
Prepare your heart –
- Walk with God. Be in His Word regularly, having a habit of going to His truth for your guidance and help. Hide it in your heart.
- Worship God. Practice an attitude of gratitude to the Lord for Who He is and what He does. Don’t wait until it’s hard to rejoice.
- Hear God’s Voice. Set a routine of prayer, but not routine prayer. Learn to talk to your Father now, so you go to Him first when trials come.
- Fellowship with God’s People. Women who live isolated struggle more when hardship comes. Connect with other followers of God now.
Prepare your home –
Yield your home to God’s values by letting go of the convenient, comfortable, and cultural. God wants our homes to be:
- peaceful
- orderly
- fruitful
- godly
If our hearts and homes are prepared, we’ll be free to help our husband when he needs it. We’ll be able to reach out on behalf of our family. We’ll be able to give to others instead of being under our own load. Our heart and faith will be prepared to weather the storms that WILL come as we live out life as our husband’s wife.
Today is the day to prepare for tomorrow. Every woman’s life will encounter the unexpected, so before hardship hits, live ready. An excellent wife is prepared, and her husband is blessed because of it.
Fight the dread, and prepare instead!
- Are you always waiting to prepare?
- What are you waiting for?
- What excuse do you need to confess to God and ask Him to change for a “more prepared” you?
Great, great post, Julie. I always feel when my heart is more prepared, then I can better prepare myself, my home, my family physically. I love all four tips you gave above for preparing our hearts. It IS about habit (but not “routinely” going through the motions without intention), about constant renewal of our hearts and minds. And all of this is preparing to trust and lean on Him rather than fear! Thank you.
Julie ~ I LOVE this post! I love how you remind us that if our HEARTS and HOMES are prepared, we are able to minister to others! I’ve got some preparing to do!