Generation Cedar Post

Just as I finished writing the previous post, I went over to Generation Cedar to continue reading a series of articles she wrote about a "True Beauty Makeover". The one I read today was so fitting in regards to my last post that I had to cut and paste it here:

"She has no real fear, because her eyes are fixed on following His will. Whatever befalls her has passed through the hands of the One who loves her most.”

“Strength and honor are her clothing.”

Proverbs 31

What does it mean to “wear strength and honor”? I love this verse, because it flies in the face of the perverted misunderstanding that our culture has of biblical womanhood.

The Bible exalts women far above what the feminists have. It spoke of women, 4,000 years ago, of honor, dignity, rare jewels, and strength. Why would we want to trade that picture for anything else?

Strength can be expressed physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Since strength and honor are used together in this verse, I think they describe a woman strong of character. And what does a “strong character” look like?

I am prone to envision a woman with a tranquil nature, steady, even in the face of distress. Boy could I use some work here!

Strength allows a woman to be at peace, because she is not exerting HER strength; but rather, an inner reliance on God the Father. Her faith rests completely on His providence, His protection and His guidance in her life. She has no real fear, because her eyes are fixed on following His will. Whatever befalls her has passed through the hands of the One who loves her most.

To wear honor is to first know she is worthy of it. Worthy, not because of what she has done, but because of who she is in Christ. “Now if we are children, then we are heirs–heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.”

Honor: “High rank. The dignity accorded to position.”

We need to dwell on our royal inheritance! We are marked by holy distinction! We are daughters of the King, princesses fit for Heaven–do others see that in our behavior? We aren’t talking about wearing pride, but wearing honor, behaving in a way that is honorable.

Do I exhibit those character qualities that have been obscured in our day? Am I honest–even in the small things? Do people know me to possess integrity and uprightness of heart? Do I “walk worthy of the vocation in which I am called”?

I’ll add here that the way we dress speaks volumes about how we view ourselves. Given the “princess” analogy, if we really dwelt on that image, I bet our attire would begin to reflect it. Compare the attire of a woman who understands her worth before God, desiring to reflect His character, even in the way she dresses, to the popular “grunge” style of the culture?

Let us practice putting on strength and honor, and allowing the adornment of our hearts to affect the adornments of our bodies…we are representing the King!"