Trustworthy and Prepared
Virtuous Woman 1×02
Proverbs 31:11- Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
To be able to have full confidence in someone means that you can trust them. You can trust their word and depend on them. The woman described in Proverbs 31 is just that. Sometimes it’s uncomfortable to speak truth, but it is essential. The latter part of the verse says lacks nothing of value. That means to us that she is always at the ready. Readiness requires preparation!
This verse holds women to a high standard. Sometimes we associate valuableness with high price tags, but some of the most valuable things we can give is our heart, love, trust, and time. In a marriage a spouse shouldn’t lack any of those things. You have to plan to succeed, not fail. In Angel’s experience she didn’t want to sign a prenuptial agreement because that felt like planning for the end before their marriage even began. Things have been inevitably rocky, but as she credits God and his grace and the commitment her and her husband both share as to how they have made it to 25 years of marriage.
Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.
We will fail to meet that standard, but we are given many opportunities to prove our trustworthiness and also ask for forgiveness and give it. We need to remember that we are imperfect and so is our spouse. God requires us to forgive other, if we don’t then He has said that He won’t forgive us. Many are willing to receive God’s forgiveness, but slow to give it to other people. This should include your relationship with your spouse! We should let go of the wrong people have done against us. That doesn’t mean that it’s easily done. It is still a process, but a necessary one.
Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Jill attributes her business success in her company to being a trustworthy Christian. People can rely on her and her team to get the job done.
Col 3:22-23 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,
God knows what we need. He will always provide for us and sometimes he tells us no. As a parent it is hard to tell your children no, but it is sometimes needed and for their betterment.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 2:6-8 For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice, And He preserves the way of His godly ones.
Before Angel was married she tried to cover all the bases with her now husband in the 8 years leading up to their marriage. They talked about everything. All that preparation didn’t stop her expectations from not being met when they did get married. She thought they would always eat together, go to bed at the same time, and have all the same interests. That couldn’t have been further from reality. There was misery in their marriage because they realized their marriage wasn’t what they thought it would be. She had to rely on Jesus and find a church where she could grow. Friends became a big help to her as well. Their marriage healed, but it’s still not perfect and no one’s will be. We are all flawed.
Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Jill elaborates on her failed marriage as being great in the beginning unlike Angel’s. They did everything together and had a “7 year honeymoon,” but in the end when it came to starting a family all those similarities and experiences together couldn’t save them in the end. God wasn’t at the center, so it all fell apart. A great beginning doesn’t always promise a great ending if God isn’t in control of your life.
Our brokenness helps others navigate. We all fall down and make mistakes, but we get back up and keep our eyes on God. He is also ready for us. He has prepared a place for us! Live a life like you are going to receive that gift and be the kind of person God is giving it to. Have the wisdom to prepare for the future. God is a big God and he will help up overcome anything. Marital struggles have nothing on our God!