Strength and Honor by Mayada Naami
“Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come” (Proverbs 31:25, NIV).
When I read this verse, I think about the world we live in today, and how we are judged by our outer appearances. The clothes we wear daily reflect the way we want others to perceive us and how we see ourselves. The fashion industry is a multibillion-dollar global business that has a major influence on our perception of people. Our culture is focused on external physical beauty according to the world’s fashions and less concerned about the internal beauty of a woman. In the Bible, Proverbs 31 describes a woman of valor, and in the above-mentioned verse states strength and honor are her clothing. What an amazing thing to wear every day! Imagine wearing strength and honor all the days of your life.
Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty (Job 40:10, NIV).
The godly woman is a treasure to her family and will bear spiritual fruit in the Kingdom of God (John 15:5-8). She knows that her beauty does not come from “elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes” (1Timothy 2:9). The outward manifestation of a beautiful spirit is good works (1 Timothy 2:10). The world will tell us lies that try to equate a woman’s worth to her physical outward appearance. God is more concerned with, and pleased with a woman who has a beautiful spirit and is clothed in strength and honor.
The unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit “Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:4, NIV).
The godly woman loves Jesus with all her heart, soul, and strength (Matthew 22:37). She is filled with the Holy Spirit and does not leave her house unless she is dressed spiritually with truth, righteousness, the word of God, and faith. She lives in freedom. She has laid down her life and taken up the cross. Her strength and dignity come from the peace of Christ, her Savior. Every morning she puts on the full armor of God, and is ready to face the enemy with God, “laughing at the days to come.”
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6: 10-12, NIV).