“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness” (Prov. 31:25-27 NLT).
What a woman! Such character! What is our chance of attaining such excellence? During moments of cynicism, the mere thought of achieving such nobility eluded me. I scoffed at even the possibility as I struggled to navigate the nuances of surviving in this world. Who “laughs without fear of the future?” Maybe other women, but not me. I am simply a woman of color, an introvert, and a single mother with limited resources, few connections, and no real safety nets.
I had embraced my marital status and accepted what I considered to be my limitations in life. I had built walls to protect my heart, secure my peace, and maintain my emotional and physical well-being. I was committed to remaining pure and virtuous, but I no longer aspired to be the ideal Proverbs 31 woman. Like Sarah, the Old Testament matriarch (Gen. 18:12), I laughed at what seemed to be a lofty goal—I can’t do all that!
However, during a turbulent season fueled by physical afflictions, continuing inequities, and social unrest, it suddenly happened. Consumed with righteous indignation by bad news, a warrior spirit rose within me. I had had enough. As I questioned what would happen next, I refused to lay low and/or perish alone with my personal and financial affairs in disarray. I felt that nudge, I heard a wooing deep within: “Arise, woman of God. It is for this present darkness that I have prepared you to shine.”
Vexed in spirit, I acknowledged that it was my time to impact positive changes in my world. As a Spirit-filled woman, I must rebel against the world’s system and reflect the needed transformations. Things began to make sense and it explained why my battles had been so fierce. “But indeed for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show my power in you, and that my name may be declared in all the earth” (Ex. 9:16 NKJV).
Such a call to action necessitated courage in the midst of imminent dangers. If I were to defy the odds, I had to abolish fear, release my insecurities, and take initiative. Who says that I can’t be successful? Who says that I can’t achieve excellence? The Word says, “The people who know their God will be strong and do great exploits” (Dan. 11:32 NKJV). God’s Word supersedes all; so I cannot afford to retreat in fear and wait on human endorsement, when He has declared that I am “the head and not the tail, above and not beneath” and “blessed and highly favored” (Deut. 29:13; Lk. 1:28).
So, with a bold declaration that “I am who God says I am,” I stepped up. I accepted the challenge to pursue excellence and exercise greater discipline. I began to embrace fresh professional opportunities, make new connections, pay off debts, and get my finances in order. Understanding that it was not God’s will for any area of my life to be in shambles, I learned new skills, completed some home maintenance projects, and even cleared areas where I had accumulated useless things. I began to allocate time and resources for self-care including a healthy diet and physical exercise. As I arose to my calling, God empowered me with His strength, dignity, and wisdom to make sound decisions—spiritually, professionally, and financially.
All women—even singles can be Proverbs 31 women. Regardless of our status, zip codes, or ethnicity, when we accept our biblical mandate, get over ourselves, and surrender our efforts to God, He completes the work. We can “laugh” at the days to come because we know we are secure in Him and everything is under control. God brings order, shifts the narrative, and changes our life trajectories. We then can become women of nobility “who can laugh at the days to come” because all things are taken care of and handled by God. He gets the last laugh!
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