A Challenge to Wives
Article by Teri Snode
Proverbs 31:10-11, “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.”
Have you ever wondered why there is almost an entire chapter in the Bible that talks about a good wife. I’m trying to think if there is an equivalent chapter that talks about a good husband. But I can’t think of any. I’ve been thinking about this for some time. I’m no counsellor, but recently I’ve had several conversations with wives who are concerned for their marriage. And I am convinced that the things that the wife says and/or does can make or break a marriage.
I realise I am NOT an authority on this subject, but I’ve seen in my own marriage that I as the wife can set the tone or regulate the temperature of my marriage. I’m not saying that is why God put this chapter in the Bible or that this is what this chapter is implying. But it seems to me that if a wife turns to God and asks Him to make her the wife that He created her to be, then God will give her the power to change a bad marriage into a good marriage.
Because of the influence a wife has on her husband and because most husbands like to please their wives, God can use the wife to make a weak marriage strong. It’s no easy task, and it’s impossible without God’s power. It’s nothing to be taken lightly or to rush through. So I’m praying for my own marriage and those of my friends’ that God will give us the strength to be godly, virtuous wives:
verse 11 Can your husband trust you? (with money, secrets, to do the right thing, making decisions)
verse 12 Are you committed to treating your husband right every day whether he treats you right or thanks you or even notices?
verse 13-19,24 Are you a willing, hard worker?
verse 20 Are you selfish or generous? Do you care about others or just yourself?
verse 21-22 Do you take care of the needs of your family properly so your husband won’t have to worry about such things?
verse 23 Have you uplifted your husband with your words so that others admire him because of the way you talk about him?
verse 25-26 Could people describe you with these words: strong, honourable, joyful (during trials), wise (in your words), kind?
verse 27 Are you idle? Do you sit around wasting time while there are important things that need done?
verse 30 Do you fear the LORD?
Prayer: “Dear Lord, I have a lot to work on in my marriage. Please give me Your strength and power to be the kind of wife that would please you and glorify Your Name! Help me to live for You so that my relationships will be what they ought to be. Thank you for my husband. I know he is a gift from you, and I cherish him. Please help me to treat him right and love him with Your love. Make me a virtuous woman. I love you. Amen.”
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This came from Barbara:
Although this was written to wives and I am not a wife and have not been a wife, I can, as a woman, live this way to be a godly, virtuous woman and prepare myself should the Lord allow me to have a husband one day. I can strive to do right, make the right decisions, be wise with money, keep secrets of those that have entrusted me with. I can treat others right, be a willing, hard worker, be generous, uplift and encourage others etc. It was a blessing to read and something I needed to be reminded about.