“She is clothed in Strength and Dignity and she laughs without fear of the future.”-Proverbs 31:25
As this blog now has a fashion piece to it, I thought it could be clever to title the weekly faith posts “Clothed in Strength and Dignity.”
Not because just because of the pun factor. But this actually has been one of my favorite verses since becoming a Christian. In fact, when I got my first apartment I bought a large, beautiful custom-made wood sign that had the verse on it. (pictured)
I loved it because I experienced it. I recognized that no matter what I was “clothed in”, nothing came close to putting on the strength and dignity that I found in being dressed in the armor of God. Every time I walked out of my apartment I read that sign to remind myself of who I am in Christ. And now it hangs above the computer in our house in the office.
Guys, let me just tell you- I didn’t use to walk in Strength or Dignity. I was so far from it. I walked by the flesh. And the flesh is weak. It’s not nearly as wise or discerning as one who walks in the spirit. I made awful decision after awful decision in the flesh. My dignity was pretty close to non-existent. I knew what I wanted but I had no clue how to stand strong in it.
How it all changed:
1.) First and foremost, I gave everything over to God. Meaning, I stopped doing everything that I used to do: I put down my way for His way. My way just led me into trouble, trouble and more trouble. From where I hung out to who I hung out with. From bouncing relationship to relationship to instead being single and happy with it (difficult but a little easier since I had Jesus.) From going out to the bar to instead taking myself out! I changed everything. Friends, clothes, places, people. You name it.
2.) Then just when I started to feel weak and lonely after giving up everything I knew, God had me stumble upon the “Proverbs 31 Woman”. She was unlike any other woman I had ever known. When I used to look up to celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Jessica Simpson, this woman blew them out of the water. Her character was so powerful and I just wanted to BE HER! Humbly, I still do.
This is the ultimate woman:
“Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. 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. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.”
Proverbs 31:10-31 NLT
This woman gave me the power to change for the better- to look up to something that meant SOMETHING! And it has led to all the good in my life.
So I’m hoping the same is true for you. That is why each Wednesday, we will dive into being “clothed” in all the right things when it comes to friendships, relationships, marriage and motherhood and more. I’m so glad you’re along for the ride.
And remember:
There’s nothing more fabulous then a woman “Clothed in Strength and Dignity.’
So stay fabulous friends! 💕
Xoxo,
Jill Rohrbaugh
Details of our outfits linked from picture above:
