"She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." Proverbs 31:25
This is a piece of scripture that I look at and think "I wish that girl was me."
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It gives me a heartache or a longing to want to be "that girl" the "it" girl of faith. But in reality, all of the things I feel hold me back from being "that girl" are the things that make me just that.
In the day-to-day flow of life, I often feel clothed with frustration, stress, lack of energy, lack of sleep and at times, emptiness, thinking of tomorrow anxiously and with an apprehensive heart. I most definitely don't feel clothed with dignity when I'm constantly tripping over myself or even just having a bad hair day. That lack of dignity and confidence leads to my frustrations more days than I would like. And as for "laughing without fear," well, with college ahead, it seems merely impossible to even consider not being terrified!
Of course these are everyone's thoughts—that is if you are comparing strength, dignity and fearlessness to the world's standard.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
But see? God tells us that His grace is all we need and in the midst of our weakness His strength holds us up.
He is our shield, He covers us in His glory and restores our courage (Psalms 3:3).
No matter where we are or what we are going through He will be with us through all we endure. For God is with us always (Joshua 1:9). God knows what we are facing in life, all we are going through. But in time of need, although He is there, He doesn't come to us to coddle us. We must go to Him. He is waiting for us, with open arms longing for us to embrace Him. When we come to Him with our requests, our needs, even our praises; we receive a sense of peace in our lives. This is the peace of God due to His grace, and His love, and His mercy towards us. We are so unworthy of these things, but His love for us is so unconditional, that although we are unworthy, He still provides. When you sense the peace of God, it surpasses all understanding and it will guard your heart and your mind in Him (Philippians 4:6-7).
Going through and looking at this scripture, I found that strength in weakness, dignity through redemption and peace in the midst of fear. This "woman of faith" is so much more real. She seems so much more attainable and really familiar, because when looking close enough, you can see your own reflection staring back at you.
In this moment you will see that despite what you have done, where you have been, all you have gone through, you are clothed in strength and dignity. These garments are precious, so don't let them fall to the ground to just gather dust and be forgotten. Pick them up with the bold humility of the redeemed and place them firmly on your shoulders. And look! They fit perfectly, they have the sweet scent of grace and look like faith. With this image, this beautiful image of yourself, you are someone who is imperfect. Someone who was purposefully created to be imperfect. Someone who can laugh not with the absence of fear, but the knowledge that no amount of fear can destroy the peace and joy within you. An unshakable faith.
This scripture is relevant to all, not only women. It is ultimately a picture of the Church and how God has purposes for us in our communities. A place of faith where people can find strength in the midst of their weakness, a place to restore dignity to those who are weighed down and give hope to the broken so that they may smile at the possibilities they have in their future.
So go out. Clothed in strength when you're weak, be restored in your dignity and laugh without fear of the future because of Gods peace within you in this age and many ages to come.
