Who Can Find An Excellent Wife?

Some love her…   Some hate her…  Do you know who I am talking about?  Here’s a hint, Who Can Find An Excellent Wife?

The Proverbs 31 Woman has been encouraging me, helping me, and guiding me for the past 26 years as a married woman.  You don’t have to be married to glean from all her wisdom though.  Whatever the age you are, if you are married or unmarried, she has plenty of knowledge to impart to you.  I don’t know what I would do without her over the years.  She has become my constant friend.

The ESV version of the Bible words it like this, An excellent wife who can find?  

This statement leads me to believe that a good wife is a rare commodity.  Godly men search for her and she is hard to find!  In our American Post-Modern Culture, she is rarer still.

The divorce rate in our country should be a sobering reminder of the state of marriage today.  It does not matter if you are in church.  The statistics are the same.  Take a look at these stats for marriages in America.

Let me be honest, these stats “scare the pants off of me”!!

BUT, there is HOPE!

When I was married at the age of 22, I found the question of “how-to”, to have a successful marriage, ever on my tongue. I chose a different way and decided to let Scripture teach me.  After 26 years of marriage, I am so glad I chose to listen to the Bible as my guide!  I know my husband would say the same.

Many women have trouble with the Proverbs 31 Woman because they see God’s perfect standard displayed in their home and marriage as they take a look at themselves, they see that they are far from that standard.

Why do we expect ourselves to be perfect?  Why do we expect others to be perfect?  We lack the understanding that we are all in the process, we are ever reforming and changing into the likeness of Christ.  Rewind 26 years ago, I was nowhere near resembling this godly woman, fast forward to the present day and I am still lacking all the qualities she has.  I have grown much but am still on the journey.  At 48 years old I pray daily that God will continue to do a work in me and conform me to his likeness.  Let us also never forget the grace of God that is extended to us while we are on this path.

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” – Mark 10:27

Biblical womanhood = FREEDOM

Not a list of things to do or become.

Who Can Find An Excellent Wife?

1. She FEARS THE LORD...she has faith! God is the source of all she is able to accomplish.

2. She is a BUSINESS WOMAN…she is able if needed to bless her husband and family by using the skills she has, to increase the financial stability of her family.

3. She SERVES…she actively serves her husband, family, and community.

4. She has a STRONG MARRIAGE…she does her husband good, he completely trusts her and he is respected in the community.

5. She is a PREPARED HOMEMAKER… making sure her family is well-fed, and clothed and her home is orderly.

6. She CARES for herself… she displays beauty in her dress and demeanor.

7.  She is a HARD WORKER…She understands the value and importance of all she must accomplish.

8. She is VALUABLE… she is valuable in God’s eyes as well as her husband’s and children’s.

9. She is TRUSTWORTHY…her husband and children have full confidence in her.

10.  She is WISE…she utters words that encourage others and are kind.

Let’s encourage each other to wholeheartedly follow after Christ, in the area of our marriages today.  Why not write these traits down on some notecards and pray to God daily that he will give these qualities to you?

Lastly, these beautiful characteristics are worth nothing without love and empowered by the Holy Spirit.  We must be careful to understand and know the source of our ability to display these qualities.  If we proceed in our own strength, our pursuit leads to drudergy and legalism.  When we walk, in the love shown in the gospel and powered by God alone, we are free!

YOUR TURN…

What area of becoming an excellent wife gives you the most trouble?

Blessings,