Does the Virtuous Woman Really Exist?

In Proverbs 31 we read about a woman who seems to be super-human. She is an awesome wife and mother, seamstress, cook, investor, gardener, laborer, fashion designer, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. She possesses selflessness, strength, dignity, wisdom, kindness, and creativity. Her husband and children praise her and claim that she has surpassed all other women. I don't know about you, but this lady is intimidating to me. I know my own faults and limitations all too well. If this is who we refer to as the Virtuous Woman, then I don't think I stand a chance. Have you ever felt this way? Christian society places a lot of criteria on how a woman should present herself. It can become overwhelming when we begin to compare ourselves to other women or listen to the requirements of those around us. I believe the answer to becoming a virtuous woman lies in verse 30 of Proverbs 31. I love how The Message translation words it: "Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God." God reminds us that charm, acting like we have it all together, can be misleading. No woman has it ALL together. In fact, it seems that many times when someone tries to portray their life as perfect, they tend to be the ones secretly falling apart. Physical beauty is not a sign of virtue either. The mom at the soccer game with the perfect hair, manicured nails, and clothes of a teenager is not someone to set your life after. Beauty will always fade, no matter how hard someone tries to keep it from happening. The answer to virtue lies in the last part of the verse. "The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God." Our super woman in Proverbs 31 was capable of doing all that she did because she put God first. He was above her husband, above her children, and above her own needs. How much more could we accomplish to the glory of God, if we placed Him above all else in our lives? Begin praying this week that God would become your priority over everything else in your life and expect to begin seeing how a virtuous heart will lead to a virtuous life.

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