Recently, I have been focusing my personal bible reading on Proverbs, more specifically, reflecting on what it means to be a Proverbial young woman, the young woman God has designed me to be. These devotionals, along with so many others, can be found on a Bible app called YouVersion, and I highly recommend it, for it has helped me grow in my relationship with Christ. I'm not entirely finished with this series yet, but this week, so many verses and principles have touched me, and I thought I would share some of my notes with you.
The first day I started, I highlighted with what makes me worthy. I was reminded that it is not our outward appearances or belongings that define our value, yet what I do to pursue a strong relationship with Christ, and taking care of myself. Making a chart, I identified things that make me valuable, such as being a child of God and having a life-loving attitude. Next, I identified things that destroyed my value, such as being angry and being immature. At the conclusion of my devotions for the day, I write in my journal a little phrase to summarize what I had read, and for this day, I wrote, "Pursue what gives me value!"
The next day, I reflected on how to accurately measure my worth. I recited the Fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This is what I am to use when measuring my worth, not by beauty standards that we are bombarded with or "likes" I receive on social media. This day hit me really hard, because I realized that I struggle to uphold many of these qualities. Praying about the ones I needed to work on. I wrote down, "Lord, help me measure my worth in a worthy way!"
The following day, I was reminded that a Proverbial young woman is someone trustworthy, and also someone who trusts the Lord. The Lord places specific people in our life to help us grow, and we are to trust His plans, even when we are hurt by certain people. every relationship will help me grow. Knowing this, I wrote, "I am called to trust and to be trustworthy!"
Today, I read Proverbs 31:12, which discusses the importance of upholding a loving attitude toward others, and doing good to others. It's not easy to be a good friend to someone who does not return the favor, yet we are called to love anyway, just as Christ. I have control over how I pursue relationships with others, and I am to radiate Christ's love. Written down in my journal is, "Love and do good in all relationships!"
Reading and studying what it takes to be a Proverbial young woman is something that has opened my eyes, and I plan to try to uphold these qualities all the days of my life. I cannot wait for tomorrow's devotion, and I have a desire to become the woman God has called me to be.
