Sure, you've heard the characteristics of a virtuous woman extolled in Proverbs 31, but have you really thought about what they mean?
As I prayed through these characteristics at a women's retreat this weekend, I was challenged to write out what these words meant to me and even more so challenged to apply these definitions to my life and ask God to develop these characteristics in me.
Intelligent: Prov. 22:3
To be intelligent means to see the larger picture and discern how to solve the problem with grace and consideration of all the players involved. To approach situations being mindful of past lessons, being perceptive, being able to anticipate future obstacles/hurdles and plan how to avoid or work through them. True intelligence comes from spending daily time with the Lord, filling your mind with Scripture, and learning from Him. Wise people fear the Lord.
Responsible: Colossians 3:23
To be responsible means to remain faithful to the task to which you were assigned and see it to completion. Being responsible means you strive to live an orderly life, respectful of elders and authority and being a model of integrity for others. Being responsible means being willing to be accountable for your actions, no matter the consequences and always telling the truth. It means taking charge when the moment demands it and glorifying the Lord through your dedication and diligence. Responsibility comes from accepting tasks and completing them, being faithful in the small things, until God gives you bigger tasks to do and pursue.
Humble: 1 Peter 5:5-7
To be humble means to know your proper place in a situation and to always approach people with the question: How can I serve? How can I help? A humble person is the best listener and knows when to step out of the way to let others shine and have the stage. A humble person is patient and reacts in kindness, knowing it's better to be last in line or last to speak, and putting others' needs before their own. Humility comes from submitting daily to the Lord, surrendering to Him, being reminded of our status as redeemed sinners bought with the blood of Christ and asking Him to transform our attitudes.
Servant-Minded: John 13:1-17
To be servant-minded means to be attentive, humble, and ready to be flexible and change your plans/selfish priorities to help others. A servant-minded person is mindful, noticing the need and taking immediate action to fulfill it or accomplish the task while maintaining the same attitude of Christ as he washed his disciples' feet. A servant-minded person is not afraid to get dirty or do the menial "least of these" jobs. They do not seek a reward but rather do all these things with joy, knowing that they are sharing the love of Christ in a practical way that blesses others. A servant's heart is developed over time, from praying for God to reveal the people and needs in front of you, and from contemplating Jesus' example here on Earth.
Cheerful Heart: Proverbs 17:22
To have a cheerful heart means having an inner joy and peace that defies the circumstances around you. A person with a cheerful heart naturally encourages and builds others up. People are drawn to this person, and they speak truth and life into people's lives at appropriate times. They persevere through trial with their eyes fixed on Jesus, seeing Heaven's gates through the flames. Having a cheerful heart is first, an act of the will. A person must first choose to have joy in Christ during difficulty and overtime this practice will become a reality as the Holy Spirit fills this person with his all surpassing peace. He will remind you how much He loves you and fill your mind with Scripture about JOY in Him. When you think about these promises, you can't help but smile! :)
As I prayed through these characteristics at a women's retreat this weekend, I was challenged to write out what these words meant to me and even more so challenged to apply these definitions to my life and ask God to develop these characteristics in me.
Intelligent: Prov. 22:3
To be intelligent means to see the larger picture and discern how to solve the problem with grace and consideration of all the players involved. To approach situations being mindful of past lessons, being perceptive, being able to anticipate future obstacles/hurdles and plan how to avoid or work through them. True intelligence comes from spending daily time with the Lord, filling your mind with Scripture, and learning from Him. Wise people fear the Lord.
Responsible: Colossians 3:23
To be responsible means to remain faithful to the task to which you were assigned and see it to completion. Being responsible means you strive to live an orderly life, respectful of elders and authority and being a model of integrity for others. Being responsible means being willing to be accountable for your actions, no matter the consequences and always telling the truth. It means taking charge when the moment demands it and glorifying the Lord through your dedication and diligence. Responsibility comes from accepting tasks and completing them, being faithful in the small things, until God gives you bigger tasks to do and pursue.
Humble: 1 Peter 5:5-7
To be humble means to know your proper place in a situation and to always approach people with the question: How can I serve? How can I help? A humble person is the best listener and knows when to step out of the way to let others shine and have the stage. A humble person is patient and reacts in kindness, knowing it's better to be last in line or last to speak, and putting others' needs before their own. Humility comes from submitting daily to the Lord, surrendering to Him, being reminded of our status as redeemed sinners bought with the blood of Christ and asking Him to transform our attitudes.
Servant-Minded: John 13:1-17
To be servant-minded means to be attentive, humble, and ready to be flexible and change your plans/selfish priorities to help others. A servant-minded person is mindful, noticing the need and taking immediate action to fulfill it or accomplish the task while maintaining the same attitude of Christ as he washed his disciples' feet. A servant-minded person is not afraid to get dirty or do the menial "least of these" jobs. They do not seek a reward but rather do all these things with joy, knowing that they are sharing the love of Christ in a practical way that blesses others. A servant's heart is developed over time, from praying for God to reveal the people and needs in front of you, and from contemplating Jesus' example here on Earth.
Cheerful Heart: Proverbs 17:22
To have a cheerful heart means having an inner joy and peace that defies the circumstances around you. A person with a cheerful heart naturally encourages and builds others up. People are drawn to this person, and they speak truth and life into people's lives at appropriate times. They persevere through trial with their eyes fixed on Jesus, seeing Heaven's gates through the flames. Having a cheerful heart is first, an act of the will. A person must first choose to have joy in Christ during difficulty and overtime this practice will become a reality as the Holy Spirit fills this person with his all surpassing peace. He will remind you how much He loves you and fill your mind with Scripture about JOY in Him. When you think about these promises, you can't help but smile! :)