13 Ways To Be A Proverbs 31 Woman Today
The Proverbs 31 woman sets a high standard for all women. While many people would like to follow in her footsteps, looking at her life as a whole can be a little overwhelming. But when we take a minute to step back, look at the whole, and break her attributes into small characteristics, it’s easier to look at ways to be a modern Proverbs 31 woman.
There are 13 principles I see laid out that we can all implement today to help us demonstrate the qualities laid out for us to emulate.
Psst: Don’t forget to check out the Strengthen in Scripture Giveaway at the bottom of the post!
1. Prioritize Others
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:11-12, ESV
The Proverbs 31 woman is first singled out because she is trusted by her husband because she does good. If we are to be women worthy of this title, we must put others before ourselves. Instead of being women who seek our self-interest, we need to be known for outdoing others in showing honor to those around us.
2. Work Hard
She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
Proverbs 31:13, ESV
Instead of being known for protecting herself or keeping the clean hands of the “traditional womanhood” we tend to idolize, the Proverbs 31 woman is anxious to do the work the Lord has given her. She doesn’t busy herself with tasks that aren’t hers, but she fully dedicates herself to the work she’d been given
3. Don’t Settle
She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
Proverbs 31: 14, ESV
If we want to act like the Proverbs 31 woman, we need to hunt for what is best instead of settling for what’s in front of us. She seeks out the best for her family and brings in what is needed from afar. One way to model the Proverbs 31 woman is to act in a resourceful. Don’t settle for easy, settle for what is best.
4. Rise Early
She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
Proverbs 31:15, ESV
This one makes some of us cringe and others rejoice but rising early, preparing for the day to take full advantage of every opportunity, is something the Proverbs 31 woman demonstrates for us all. When we wait for things to come to us, we are victims. When we allow ourselves time to prepare to take the day by force, we are better equipped to do the good works God has prepared for us.
5. Dress Well
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
Proverbs 31:17, ESV
Instead of seeking to clothe herself in only outwardly attractive clothing, the Proverbs 31 woman is committed to inward beauty and to inner and outer strength. Today, let us be women who are known, not by what we wear, but by how we wear it. Donning strength is one way that we demonstrate to the world that we know we are the Lord’s. When we put our confidence in Him, we can show others the strength He has given us.
6. Know Your Worth
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
Proverbs 31:18, ESV
Know the worth of who God has created you to be. Your work might be simple, it might seem inconsequential, but God has created good works for you since before the beginning of time. Each and every aspect of your life can be used for Kingdom purpose so know, like the Proverbs 31 woman, that your life is valuable and let that knowledge encourage you to work diligently.
7. Consider Your Community
She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
Proverbs 31:20, ESV
The Proverbs 31 woman knew her role in the community and had hands open to the needy. There are poor and needy in every community and we need to be eagerly seeking out opportunities to open our homes. Think today of ways you can open up your home and serve those around you.
8. Prepare
She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet
Proverbs 31:21, ESV
Rising early is only the beginning of the Proverbs 31 woman’s preparation. Instead of simply preparing for that day, she is looking long-term at what is to come. She knows that winter will come, and makes sure her family is warm. How can you prepare ahead today? Not only will life bring literal winters, but also spiritual winters. Being a modern Proverbs 31 woman means that you build on the strength so that you know what is coming and how to best equip those around you during that time.
9. Let Your Family Shine
Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
Proverbs 31:23, ESV
The Proverbs 31 woman’s husband is known at the gates. Her work equips his work and has made him popular. As women, we need to be building up our family through out work. Don’t fear being outshone, but work hard to support others in the tasks God has given them. Even if you can’t tangibly support them, you can pray for and verbally affirm them.
10. Value Knowledge and Seek Wisdom
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:26, ESV
Don’t stop learning. Take every opportunity to expand your mind and dedicate yourself to the study of Scripture. Learn what is good and profitable but do not allow it to puff you up. Let everything you say be marked by kindness.
11. Keep Busy
She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31:27, ESV
The old saying “idle hands are the Devil’s playthings” has stuck around because, when we’re not doing what God has given us to do, anything we’re doing is wrong. Do not give into idleness. Enjoy the rest God has given you but then eagerly devote yourself to the work before you in the time He has given you to work.
12. Invest In Your Home
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
Proverbs 31:28, ESV
How many times have we seen a situation that appears wonderful only to find that it is crumbling on the inside. Instead of valuing the outward appearances, the Proverbs 31 woman invests in her family, not just how others perceive them. Take time today to show those in your home that you love them and are working on their behalf.
13. Place Your Worth In The Lord
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:30, ESV
Ultimately, the Proverbs 31 woman’s success was not in her work but was in her identity in the Lord. Invest in your relationship with God. Read your Bible, dedicate yourself to prayer, and fast regularly. Know God, don’t just know about Him.
When we find our identity in Christ, when every aspect of who we are flow out of love for and fear of Him, we can live honorable lives. Therefore, let us not strive for worldly standards, but for the standard God has given us. May we be strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit to live lives as memorable as that of the idyllic Proverbs 31 woman.
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The Comments
Hannah B.
I absolutely love this! Thank you for sharing. I try so hard to be this woman but it can be so hard in these modern times!
TheThinPlace
Hannah B.It can be so hard and the Biblical language can be a barrier. It’s important that we step back and look at how these principles apply today.
Diane@worthbeyondrubies
Love this! I strive to be that woman but it is definitely something I need a heavy dose of grace for!!
Bailey
Diane@worthbeyondrubiesDon’t we all? Thank God for grace!
Tracy
Awesome way to break down for today’s woman. Lord help us to aspire to the Proverbs 31 standard.
Bailey
TracyAmen! May we all be the women He created us to be.
Cayla
I love you listed these ways out. I strive to be this type of woman, but often fall short. Your post has given me motivation to be better and to be the woman the Lord created me to be!
TheThinPlace
CaylaIt is so easy to become defeated when we fall short. I hope this post encourages all of us to get up and keep striving to be who God created us to be.
Barb Steving
I have always been a Proverbs 31 Wannabe! This is a great way to break it down into easy to understand principles.
TheThinPlace
Barb StevingI’m so glad, Barb!
Nicole Kauffman
I’ve been working on knowing my worth and it’s amazing how much that changes my approach and attitude! Great post 🙂
TheThinPlace
Nicole KauffmanIt changes everything to know that God is the One who makes us worthy, not our striving.
Kristin Cook
I think for me, staying busy, rejecting laziness, and striving for what’s best instead of “good enough” is the hardest of these. I am so prone to comfort and laziness, but the Proverbs 31 woman was not like that.
TheThinPlace
Kristin CookIt’s such a struggle, but so crucial.
Harley
Wow. This is so good! Thank you for sharing this!
TheThinPlace
HarleyThanks, Harley!
Crystal Russell
I love how you broke this passage down.
TheThinPlace
Crystal RussellThanks, Crystal! I think that things are easier to tackle when we break them down into manageable pieces.
Sophie Elise @ mycuprunsover.ca
Thanks for breaking this passage down for us, Bailey. I sometimes feel like there is danger in the way this passage is used: it can make women feel like there are so many things they “have to do” to be this wonderful wife. I like that you have put them emphasis on 1)the kind of person she is, 2) where her sense of identity comes from, and 3) what it is that defines her worth. I like that you also mention the importance of rest. We could easily burn out trying to do all of these things, and it’s important that we also rest and trust in Him. I appreciate your balanced approach!
TheThinPlace
Sophie Elise @ mycuprunsover.caSophie, I completely agree! It’s so important to look at her as a whole, not just her actions. If you haven’t yet, check out this post: https://thethinplace.net/2018/05/20/dear-proverbs-31-woman-sometimes-i-want-to-hate-you/
I think you’d really like it.
Lauren C. Moye
I love how practical this is for women to follow. You did a great job rounding up traits of a modern Proverbs 31 woman.
TheThinPlace
Lauren C. MoyeThanks, Lauren!
Antaniq Raines
This Blog is So important especially to the modern day women, I believe it is truly our nature to be Proverbs 31 women and there’s fulfillment in this role. I am also learning how to be more of this woman and yes it is a challenging but with faithfulness & consistency in Gods word and as well practice, we as women can live a life pleasing to God.
Bailey
Antaniq RainesAntaniq, I would agree that God has created all of us with this and more in mind. It might look different from woman to woman but all of us should inspire others to see a God-fearing life in us.
Royal warrior
I love this Bailey! Thank you for breaking this down. Every time I read this I realize that the things I’ve been taught about being a “Proverbs 31” woman did not actually reflect that passage accurately. Thank you so much for sharing.
Bailey
Royal warriorThank you. I have had a similar issue with the passage being used to teach cultural things that, while they may be fine, are not actually part of the passage. It’s my hope that we can see the diversity in this passage and be the women God has called us to be.
Amy @ Orison Orchards
I love ALL of these! Except maybe the ‘dress well’ one. Do I have to change out of my yoga pants and messy bun? Just kidding — all of these are great food for thought.
Bailey
Amy @ Orison OrchardsHaha, I have the same issue. Yoga pants for days!
Wendy
What wonderful ways to serve the Lord as a Proverbs 31 woman. Thank you.
Bailey
WendyThanks, Wendy! I hope this encourages us all (myself included!) to be the women God created us to be.
Malinda
Great reminders to get back to our purpose.
Bailey
MalindaThank you, Malinda.
Amy
This was a helpful insight to the Proverbs 31 woman. Thank you!
Bailey
AmyAmy, I’m glad it was helpful to you.
Ashley
Thank you for this. It definitely gives me something to think about and strive for as I work towards being a better christian wife.
Bailey
AshleyAshley, me too!
tweilbacher714
I have no problem with #11! ? These are very practical ways to put these scriptures into practice today!
Bailey
tweilbacher714Haha, I know I always feel busy, but I need to definitely reevaluate what’s keeping me busy!
Lia
We are studying this in our WMU group! I love this study, definitely something to strive for daily!
Bailey
LiaLia, so neat that you’re studying it right now!
April Nelson
I like your quote about hunt for what is best instead of settling for what’s easy. I also love that you put great emphasis in the fact that basically what made her able to be the proverbs 31 lady was her identity in Christ!! If that is where we focus our attention first then a list that may seem heavy will be made light because He ultimately carries us in being the woman we are supposed to be. If God is with her, She will not fail!!
Bailey
April NelsonYes! The Holy Spirit within us helps us be who we were created to be.
Kristin Cook
I am incredibly convicted by the letting my family shine and the investing in your home parts. I often seek to make myself shine instead of letting my family do the shining. And we are both pretty bad at investing in our home. Thankful that God gives us grace as we fall and strength to improve.
Bailey
Kristin CookHis grace is more than sufficient for our shortcomings. He is so good to us.
misscris1985
Beautiful <3 I love studying the Proverbs 31 woman, thanks for breaking it down into manageable pieces!
Bailey
misscris1985Thank you! I’m so glad it was helpful
Cayla
This is such a great read and example of how we should be living our lives. Thank you for sharing!
Bailey
CaylaThanks, Cayla!
21flavorsofsplendor
Love this!! I love how simple, yet impactful all of these can be in our lives and the lives of the women we know.
Bailey
21flavorsofsplendorThank you! God’s Word is so powerful.
Heather @ A Life In Labor
I love this! I feel like I need this reminder every once in a while and I am so thankful to have found this post!
Bailey
Heather @ A Life In LaborI think we all need the reminder. I know it’s so easy for me to lose sight of it in the busyness of life.
sruszkowski
I love this fresh take on Prov. 31!!!
Bailey
sruszkowskiThank you!
Jasmine - LoveLifeLaughMotherhood
this is really inspiring post! I love the encouragement to grow closer to God
Bailey
Jasmine – LoveLifeLaughMotherhoodThank you, Jasmine. I’m glad it’s encouraging to you.
Jasmine
I like that coloring book! I have always loved Proverbs 31, this is a great breakdown of practical ways to apply it.
Bailey
JasmineI love it too!
Michelle Huddleston
So mamy good nuggets listed here. Proverbs 31 is my inspiration!
Bailey
Michelle HuddlestonIsn’t it encouraging?
Amy Wright
I loved this post and was so encouraged by it!
Bailey
Amy WrightI’m so glad, Amy! Thank you for sharing.
Eunice Addae
thank you so much for sharing this ,women of this modern time really need to be reminded of this