a price above rubies. 8 [guest blogger]

WELCOME to Angela from

Hidden Treasures

I asked her if she were willing to choose a verse in Proverbs 31 to expound in a modern way, and she graciously consented to write about verse 16. Angela is a sweet Christian lady who writes...

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Strengthening Ourselves for the Work

Proverbs 31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 

We know that Proverbs 31 is not talking about any one woman in particular. Rather it is talking about the ideal woman. The "virtuous woman" is a measuring stick by which we measure our own selves. Do you want to be a virtuous woman? I do!

The best part of Proverbs 31, in my opinion, is that it was written by Solomon who wrote what was taught him by his mother. Whats so wonderful about that? Well, Solomon's mother was none other than Bathsheba! Bathsheba is remembered for having adultery with King David. Not very virtuous, and yet, God used her to tell the world what character traits should be found in a "Virtuous Woman"! How wonderful that God would do such a thing for her. And just think what God can do with us if we let Him!

She girdeth her loins with strength...

The word gird literally means "to prepare for action". Loins refer the parts of the body between the hips and the lower ribs. This part of the body has long been considered the seat of physical strength and generative power. 

...strengtheneth her arms. ~This seems pretty self explanatory. 

Women in today's world don't have the same requirements women in Solomon's day had. We don't usually buy fields, or make our own fabrics. My husband would flip if I informed him that I bought field while he was at work today! And then I would be strengthening my arms and loins to push mow an entire field since my husband doesn't have time for it himself! I don't think so!

So, really, how can we apply this verse to ourselves in today's modern life style?

Let's face it. Housework and child rearing isn't easy as some may think. Some of our jobs may require muscle - a little elbow grease. If you have a job such as this you may need to strengthen yourself for that job. Yard work, gardening, canning, moving furniture (or the refrigerator) to vacuum under, organizing closets or the garage are all jobs that take muscles. However, most of my responsibilities don't take muscle, necessarily, but stamina and will power. Patience and a good work ethic help quite a bit too! It has been said that a woman's work is never done. I totally agree! I think that may be because we have so many different jobs and there's never a time when we're "off duty". 

So, how do we strengthen (or prepare) ourselves for the jobs we have to do? 

We must trust God. Deuteronomy 33:25 says, ...and as thy days, so shall thy 

strength be. I'm so glad it doesn't say, As thy strength so all thy days be!!! I would have been dead with the birth of my first child! (or sooner!) God is good to provide us with the strength we need to continue (HIS strength!). Especially when it's His work that we are doing. And raising children to love Him IS His work! Pray and ask God for His strength. He's already promised it!

We can prepare ourselves for the work ahead by eating healthy food. (Don't get me started on this! {you can read about it here} I need to stay on topic.) Eating healthy food is a must in order to feel well and do well at the things we are given to do. Did you know the Bible talks a great deal about food? God wants us to enjoy our food, but He wants us to eat the real food that He's provided. It's not selfish to take care of yourself. You MUST take care of yourself if you plan on taking care of everyone else. I Corinthians 6:19-20 ~ What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

*Take your vitamins or iron pills. I hate to spend money on iron pills; but if I don't, my house suffers, meals are boring and the children fend for themselves because I'm useless. Dizzy and tired doesn't get the house work or the laundry done. I used to try to buy the cheapo pills, but I've learned that they don't work either. It may be expensive, but it's worth it if it will help you get your jobs done well. 

A good work ethic is very helpful! Have the washing machine and the dryer running while you are cleaning the bathroom and making your bed. Teach your children to help. At the very least they should be able to clean their own rooms, make their own beds and put away their own laundry. Not only will this help you around your home, but it is teaching them responsibility. 


Lamentations 3:27 ~ It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth. If you don't teach them to work hard now, they never will.

We must learn as much as we can. I think we can safely assume that the "virtuous woman" was willing to learn more. Sometimes a few questions directed at the right person might help us to do better in certain areas. Do you have questions about cooking, or cleaning? Maybe you want to learn how to sew or plant a garden? Ask someone who knows or read a "how-to" book on the subject. Ask for help. Do what it takes to get your jobs done to the best of your ability. 


I Thessalonians 4:11 ~ And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands....

Do your best with what you have! Be creative! If you don't have a way to make money at home, the least you can do is save money! I've saved hundreds of dollars by making my own laundry detergents, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, dish washing detergents, and plenty of other things. It's so much cheaper and healthier to make your own cleaning supplies! Gardening and canning save me money every year too, as well as making my own bread. There are other things that save money too. I'm looking into raising chickens and bee keeping right now too. I don't really have the money for such things, but I'd sure like to give them a try and I know God will provide them for me if it's His will. 

I Corinthians 4:2 ~ Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

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THANK you Angela. We must indeed prepare ourselves both physically and spiritually for the tasks ahead of us each day. May we each take the time to to seek God about ways to strengthen our bodies and spirits so that we can fully and effectively take care of our families. Please visit Angela at

to read her fun, encouraging posts about being a treasure hidden in Christ.

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Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 

Proverbs 31:10

the series