A Beautiful Life is Clothed with Strength and Dignity
“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25
As women, clothing ourselves in strength and dignity can look different depending on where we are and what we’re doing. God’s heart for each of us is to rely on his word to instruct us during these times. To celebrate Mother’s Day, we want to help strengthen mothers and daughters. This seven-day devotional will help mothers and daughters rely on God’s word so we can all rest in him during the days to come.
In each Mother’s Day devotional, there are four steps to learning the truths in God’s word. The first is the read his word. We’ll present to you a piece of scripture mothers and daughters can read together. After you read this scripture, we encourage you to discuss and meditate on these truths together. We’ve prepared a few questions to help with this discussion. Finally, the last step in this Mother’s Day devotional is to pray these truths over each other. Whether you are a mother or daughter, we all need prayer and constant reminders to trust God’s word.
Before we begin this Mother’s Day devotional, let’s start by praying a simple prayer:
Lord,
Open our hearts and eyes to what you have for us. Allow your truths to shape who we are and how we act. Give us wisdom and strength. Grow our love for each other and for you. Thank you, Jesus.
Amen.
Day 1
If we look to the Bible as a kind of instruction book for life, we will find advice on how to live as God intended. For example, Proverbs 31 offers a description of how a woman of faith acts and lives her life. It says that an excellent woman is more precious than jewels. She is a blessing to her husband and her family.
As we start this Mother’s Day devotional, let’s read all of these truths together. Let the truths you read today prepare your heart for the devotions in the days to come.
Read
Discuss
- Do any of the verses intimidate you?
- Are there any verses that you don’t understand?
- What verse or verses stand out the most to each of you?
- What do you think God wants to teach you as you read this Mother’s Day devotional together?
Meditate
Think about the virtuous woman described in Proverbs 31. Why would God inspire Solomon to write such words? Why is being virtuous a good thing? How can being a virtuous woman show God’s love? Meditate on God’s goodness and why he created you. Ask him to reveal areas in your life that you can lay at the cross so people see more of him and less of you.
Pray
Lord, We are thankful you for your truths. Thank you for showing us what it means to be a virtuous woman. We are grateful the woman in Proverbs 31 finds her strength and peace in you alone. Without you, she could do none of these things. Allow us to see areas in our lives where we need to trust you more. Open our eyes to the truths you want us to learn. Give us grace. Show us how to live a virtuous life. We love you. Amen.
Day 2
A woman of faith is constantly looking for ways to do good and help others. Proverbs says that like ships that sail far and wide, a woman of faith would go to the ends of the earth to provide the very best for her family. Not only would she go anywhere, but she would also do anything, including waking up early each day to make sure that her household has plenty to eat.
As women, we can find great encouragement in these truths. If you are a mother, you have a unique opportunity to love your family by preparing for them daily. Daughters, you may not have to prepare for your entire household, but the Lord has put in your life specific people to pray over and encourage. Don’t feel like God has burdened you with all the tasks he has set before you. If you are feeling down, know God is right beside you giving you strength. Trust him.
Read
- She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. (Proverbs 31:14)
- She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. (Proverbs 31:15)
- And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)
- For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–not by works so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
Discuss
- What do Paul’s words in Colossians and Ephesians have to do with Solomon’s words in Proverbs 31?
- What specific task in each of your lives do you struggle with the most?
- How do these verses speak to those struggles?
- Hebrews 10:24 says we are to “stir up one another to love and good works.” How can you encourage one another daily?
Meditate
Meditate on the ways Jesus serves others in the New Testament. Why does he serve others in this way? What is his heart toward those around him? Repent for any time you have been mean or rude when it comes to serving others. Ask him to give you an abundance of joy to serve those around you so people can see the love of Christ overflowing from your heart.
Pray
Lord, Thank you for not putting on this Earth alone. Thank you for your words of encouragement and for your grace when we need it. We are grateful for your constant supply of strength and joy. Being your handiwork, we have your desires deep within us. You have prepared specific tasks for each of us to accomplish. We pray that you show us ways to encourage one another as we go attempt each task. Open our eyes to what you are doing around us and through us. Grow our love for each other and for you. Amen.
Day 3
Not only is her heart good, but her mind is strong. A woman of faith saves her money and then uses it to buy a field to plant a vineyard. Because of her wise decisions, she helps provide for her family. She is always looking for opportunities to make the most of what God has provided for her.
As women, God has given us a unique piece of his heart. He wants us to be strategic and wise with finances. If he wanted us all to have the same perspective, he would have made us all exactly the same. Perhaps one of you has a desire to save money for a certain purpose, but the other wants to save for something completely different. This is okay, as long as the purpose glorifies the Lord and not man. As you read the verses below, consider why the Lord might want you to be savvy with your finances.
Read
- She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings, she plants a vineyard. (Proverbs 31:16)
- For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Timothy 6:10)
- Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Discuss
- Why is it important to be financially savvy with your money?
- Are there areas in your life where you have not been wise with money?
- How can you be wise with your money starting now?
- Name at least one way you can glorify the Lord with your finances.
- Is there a specific purpose God is encouraging you to save your money?
- What are ways you can hold each other accountable with your finances?
Meditate
Thank God for all he has given you. Consider why God wants us to be savvy with finances. What reasons is he laying on your heart? Repent for any areas in your heart that believe your money is yours and not Gods. Ask him to help you believe the truth and find joy in giving.
Pray
Lord, Thank you for all that you have provided for us. Everything you have given us is for a purpose and we want it to glorify you. Give us your wisdom when it comes to finances. Show us ways to save our money. Reveal to us ways to glorify you through our savings. May we be excited to give to others for the sake of your Gospel. Amen.
Day 4
A woman of faith honors God by taking care of her own family as well as those around her who are in need. She opens her arms to the poor, welcoming them to freely share in the blessings she has received from God. In everything, she seeks to do good and never to do harm.
This gentleness is one unique characteristic God has given us as women. Gentleness doesn’t necessarily mean being quiet. It can mean being gentle in our emotions, physical touches, words, or any other area the Lord may reveal to you. Whether it be the person on the street corner in need of food or the person in the back of the classroom who no one ever talks to, trust God when he tugs your heart. Listen to him. Step out in faith and let him move as you provide for those in need.
Read
- She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. (Proverbs 31:20)
- Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Phil 2:3-4)
- Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)
Discuss
- Have you ever carried someone’s burdens?
- Is there at least one person or a group of people the Lord has laid on your heart to serve?
- How can you serve your family better?
- Why would God ask you to serve others and carry someone’s burdens?
Meditate
Reflect on Jesus’ joyful service toward others and how he willingly carried our burdens on the cross. Thank him for all he has done for you. Ask God to reveal to you specific ways you can carry one another’s burdens as you go through this devotional and future days ahead.
Pray
Lord, Thank you for carrying our burdens on the cross. We are forever grateful for your willing heart to take our place on the cross. We pray that our hearts are willing to carry others’ burdens around us. Open our eyes to the needs of those in our lives. Give us your heart for those in need. Reveal to us the words to say and the provisions we need to bring your love to anyone who needs it. Show us the way. We love you and thank you. Amen.
Day 5
A woman of faith is wise in all that she does, planning ahead to make sure that her family is ready for anything. If it should snow, she makes sure that her family has warm clothes to wear. Her wisdom and ability to prepare and care for her family helps her husband to be respected by the leaders of the city.
Whether it be crazy weather, situations with friends, hardships at school, or anything else, God wants us to be prepared. Our preparations should show those around us that we don’t fear the future. It should show others that we trust God enough to walk through whatever season lays ahead.
Read
- When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. (Proverbs 31:21)
- Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. (Proverbs 31:23)
- The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. (Proverbs 21:5)
Discuss
- Do you feel like you are ready for whatever good, bad, happy, or sad season comes next?
- Do you fear the future?
- How can you better prepare for the future?
- What Bible verses can you memorize to help you trust God through every season?
Meditate
Consider the Bible verses in this Mother’s Day devotional and other Bible verses that encourage you to trust the Lord (you can also find a list of truths to meditate on here). Write down three areas in your life where you can trust the Lord more. Ask your mother or daughter about their three. FInd ways to encourage one another to trust the Lord in these areas.
Pray
Lord, Praise you for being in control of all things to come. Thank you that your plans are good even in tough seasons. We thank you for your constant love and direction in our lives. May we encourage one another daily to look to you for all things. Give us the wisdom to prepare for the future and not fear the things to come. Grow our hearts for your word so that we crave more of you and less of the world and ourselves. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
Day 6
A woman of faith doesn’t fear the future because her life is built upon the strength of the Lord! Her words are full of wisdom, and she is always looking for ways to teach others. She never wastes her time with laziness and makes sure everyone in her household follows her example.
God wants us to not be idle. He desires us to be constantly learning and teaching others. How we learn is by spending time in his word daily. He desires us to know him intimately so that we can teach those around us about his love.
Read
- She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. (Proverbs 31:25)
- She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26)
- She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. (Proverbs 31:27)
- See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. (Colossians 2:8)
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)
Discuss
- Are you able to laugh at the days to come?
- What would you gain from learning and listening to God’s wisdom?
- Why is it important to not be idle?
- What does idleness have to do with God’s glory?
- Where are areas in your life that you trust God more?
- Why is it important to grow in the wisdom of God’s word and not gain our wisdom from the world around us?
Meditate
Consider God’s design for mankind and his love for you. Meditate on the truth that he created us in his image and for his glory. Thank him for creating you. Ask him to reveal to you more ways your life can glorify his name.
Pray
Thank you, God, for who you are and for what you are doing. Thank you for giving us the encouragement to not fear the future, but to trust in you. Show us more ways in our lives we can trust you. Increase our wisdom so that we are not taken captive by the world’s ways, but stay constant in your ways. Increase our love for you and for each other. We love you, Jesus. Amen.
Day 7
A woman of faith is loved and praised by her family. Her children call her blessed and her husband sings her praises saying, “Many women do good things, but you my love surpass them all!” Physical beauty doesn’t last, but a woman who worships God will be praised forever. Honor godly women and praise them every chance you get!
God reveals a secret to all women: beauty is not found on the outside, but on the inside. How we become beautiful is by filling our hearts and lives with more of God and less of ourselves. Growing in knowledge of him creates an inward beauty that shines brighter than anything else. Through this knowledge of God and love for him, we are blessed and praised. This praise should not be centered on ourselves, but on the God who created us.
Read
- Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. (Proverbs 31:28)
- Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. (Proverbs 31:29)
- Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)
Discuss
- Do you define beauty by the world’s standards or by God’s standards?
- How can you encourage each other to define beauty by God’s standards?
- Why is it important to give God the credit for inward beauty and not give the credit to ourselves?
- How can you bless other women around you? (Here are a few ideas to get you thinking)
Meditate
Meditate on the truth that God is the most beautiful being in the entire universe. He created the world and everything in it. Consider the fact that he created you in his image and his beauty dwells in you through the holy spirit. Thank him for his creation. Ask him to reveal to you areas that you live by the world’s standards and not by his standards.
Pray
Lord, you are beautiful. Nothing in this world compares to who you are. Thank you for creating us in your image. Thank you for encouraging us to grow our inward beauty. Increase our knowledge of you. Create a deeper relationship between us and you. May the world always see your love and beauty as we go through each day. We love you! Amen.