Longing to be Like the Virtuous Woman

Is there a bible character you've read about and you long to be like? We, as Christians, should obviously all should be striving to be like Jesus because He has set the ultimate example, but there are other people out there for us to look to.


Maybe it's Ruth and her relentlessness, David and his heart that so deeply longed for God, Mary and her knowledge of the necessity to worship the Lord, or Job and his mouth that seemed never to utter a complaint. The bible is so full of people who are great examples for us to follow. People just like us, flesh and blood that are plagued by the wickedness of sin, yet saved by the grace of God and wanting to serve Him.


There are several characters that stick out in my mind who I want to be like and there is one that is often on my mind. She is


The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31.


How many times have we read about this woman and looked at all the things she is commended for doing. This lady seems pretty amazing and if we aren't careful we can start comparing ourselves with her and get discouraged. Seriously, it's like she always did everything right! But examples aren't for us to compare ourselves with, they are there for us to give us a visual picture of things.


Just a regular reading through the chapter will reveal several things about her life that you don't even have to study to know what they mean. Read over the chapter quick and see what all you can find. There are plenty of things about her, but I'm just going to focus on a few and add some practical application to some of them.

• She has the trust of her husband [v. 11]

Husband or no husband, people should be able to trust you! You don't all of the sudden become a trustworthy person once you're married, this is something you should be working on from an early age!

• She does her husband good all her days [v.12]

ALL. /adverb/ consisting entirely of. She does her husband good all her days... not just once she's his wife, but before she even knows who he is! She is aware that her one-day husband deserves a life that has been pure and she diligently protects her purity. Once she is married she continues to only do good for her man!

• She works willingly with her hands [v.13]

Tasks are to be done with the right heart. She is willing to do them no matter what they are. You shouldn't be complaining about the tasks you have to do, but rather do them willingly and with a cheerful heart!

• She bringeth her food from afar [v.14]
• She riseth while it is yet night [v.15]

Get out of bed early! Most days it sounds much more pleasant to lay in bed just a little bit longer, but really when you get up early it makes for a much better day! Not only does it give you more time in a day, but it also gives you more time to start the day right. Give yourself something to look forward to- go for a walk and talk to the Lord while you're walking, make yourself a hot drink and have a sweet time of fellowship in His Word, sit and watch the sunrise and just worship the Lord and let Him speak to your heart while watching His creation. When you have something to look forward to in the morning it is much more easy to get out of bed. *side note: the three things mentioned above are three things I love to do in the early mornings :)

• She giveth meat to her household [v.15]
• She buys a field and plants a vineyard [v.16]
• She is girdeth her loins with strength and strengtheneth her arms [v.17]

Do everything with all your might. She uses her strength to accomplish the work that she has to do. Women can be strong and should be strong, but BE CAREFUL! Our lives are not supposed to be about our strength. We should be strong enough to do hard things, but it should be complemented with gentleness and meekness! If you are doing a task and a man offers to do it for you (in most cases) LET HIM DO IT! Not only does it display your gentleness and meekness (which are characteristics of a godly woman) but it also allows men to practice chivalry and be the gentlemen God wants them to be!

• She perceiveth that her merchandise is good [v.18]
• She layeth her hands to the spindle [v.19]
• She stretcheth out her hands to the poor [v.20]

Look for the unlovely and less fortunate and serve them. It may be someone on the mission field, in your community, your neighbor, or even someone in your church. Jesus wouldn't have passed by the people who are considered the least of these and neither should you. While you can help them out with things they may need or need help doing, you should primarily be letting your light shine through you and show them Christ! Christian or unsaved person, we all need Jesus!

• She is not afraid of the snow [v.21]
• She maketh herself coverings of tapestry [v.22]
• She maketh fine linen and selleth it [v.24]
• She is clothed in strength and honor [v.25]
• She openeth her mouth with wisdom and kindness [v.26]

Your words are powerful! They either build up or tear down. It's often easier to speak out without taking the time to think, but we usually regret saying things when we don't think before we speak. Take a minute and think about what you are going to say. Is it wise or kind? If it's not then don't even say what you are about to think. Our words are a clear picture of what is in our heart and mind, so to have good speech we need to have good thoughts- things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report [phil. 4:8].

• She looketh well to the ways of her household [v.27]
• She eateth not the bread of idleness [v.27]

Don't be lazy. Did you know that in God's Word slothfulness and laziness are a sin? More than likely there are always things to be done. If you get all the things on your to-do list done, check with those around you and see if you can help them out! And if you're done and they don't need help, then relax! :) But don't spend your time sitting around being idle when there's work to be done!

There are so many things to learn from this woman and I know I only highlighted a few, but these are some of the ones I have been working on. So, who are you looking to in the Bible? How are you striving to be like them?