The Struggle Is Real

2/18/18

Proverbs 31:10

"An excellent woman [one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous], who is he who can find her?..."

I think the question that most women ask is, who is she that can be her? If you are a Christian woman, wife, or mother this can be one of the most intimidating passages in the Bible. I don't know how many ladies throughout the ages have read this passage and compared their life to hers and felt a certain amount of pressure and maybe even a bit of inadequacy. I think many in this day and age have a hard time relating to her. She is never named yet an entire chapter was written about her attributes.

The Amplified Bible describes her as being excellent. King James describes her as being virtuous, both meaning very morally good. The first thing that I notice is that the word "perfect" is not an adjective used to describe her. Virtuous and excellent simply mean good. You see, perfect is defined as having all the required or desirable elements, qualitites, or characteristics. "All" leaves no room for error. So... Does that mean that it's possible to be good, even if you are not perfect? Does that mean that I can still be an excellent wife even if I'm not a perfect wife? Does that mean I can be an outstanding mother, even if I'm not perfect mother? Does that mean that I can be this virtuous woman...and not have ALL of society's "required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics?" Absolutely!

The only way that this passage will benefit us is if we take our rose colored glasses off and simply be honest with ourselves. No matter how hard we try- it's impossible to be a perfect person, a perfect wife, a perfect mother...a perfect Christian. And it's very likely that her life wasn't perfect either. I would love to say that I've been super woman and that I have handled every situation and circumstance that has come my way with grace and proper decorum and with a Christian attitude that would make a saint's heart swell in pride... but that would be a lie. There have been times in my life when I knew Jesus was giving me a facepalm. Angels were in heaven looking at one another and the only thing that could be uttered from holy lips was, "I. Can't. Even." There have been times when I have had to rewash clothes because I forgot they were in the washer. I've missed my children's school parties because of work and I've bought more fast food than doctors recommend simply because it was easier than cooking. I've gone through my children's candy stash while they were asleep to pick out the 'good stuff'- there I said it!! The truth has set me free!!

The object of this post is honesty. You know, the areas we try to hide because we're embarrassed about our humanity. There is no more complicated position in this world than being a female. Not to take anything away from men, but let's be real- women are complicated. And our roles as mother and wife add to our complication. I have no doubt that this Virtuous Woman's life was complicated, hectic, and maybe even chaotic at times. Read the entire passage. She was a busy lady! It couldn't always be sunshine and roses. What makes her story stand out? Maybe this story was never about perfection...maybe it was more about the press.

Philippians 3:12

"Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus."

"...BUT I PRESS ON..."

You see, pressing on is the process that God uses to mold and shape us. I think the thing that sets this woman apart was that regardless of what she dealt with- she stayed the course- she pressed on! Even when she cleaned house and her children demolished it in five minutes...she pressed on. Even when she worked all day and came home to a spouse asking, "What's for dinner?"...she pressed on. Even when her sitter called in at the last minute...she pressed on. Even when she and her husband were disagreeing...she pressed on. Even when she felt like she was being pulled in twenty different directions...she pressed on. Even if she had to wait until everyone went to bed to clean the kitchen... she pressed on. Even when business deals went belly up...she pressed on. Even with baby vomit down her back...she pressed on. Even with sleepless nights...she pressed on. Even when she wanted to throw in the towel...she pressed on.

2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness..."

God shows himself mighty to us in the press. It's in the press that he reveals and refines our virtue and excellence and it's in our times of imperfection that he shows himself to be perfect. It's in our own weaknesses that his grace shines through and it's God's grace that empowers us in the press. Do not allow the areas that you fall short in to become a discouragement. Awknowledge them, pray for grace, and press on through... You are the Virtuous Woman!