I enjoy reading. Just recently, I was rereading Women and Money, by Suze Orman. More specifically, I was reading a section in her book about the “Characteristics of a Wealthy Woman.” Reading about this woman’s qualities made me think about the qualities of a blessed woman. A Christian woman who lives every day in step with the Holy Spirit. If you are a fellow Christian, you know what she looks like and are familiar with her works. A description of her character resides among those pages we turn to when we think of a graceful, virtuous, faithful, and noble woman.
The Proverbs 31 Woman has many characteristics to admire, but what spiritual qualities make her a blessed woman?
She Fears God
The first quality of a Blessed Woman is that she has a healthy fear of God. I added healthy because our fear of God should not paralyze us or cause us to do or not do something because we fear God might strike us down.
The Word “FEAR” in Hebrew is “YIR’AH” and is used in the Old Testament to describe a reverential fear of God. The Greek word for “FEAR” is “PHOBOS,” which describes dread or terror. All through the scriptures, we are called to fear God. The benefit of fearing God is that: “He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them” (Psalm 145:19).
A healthy fear of God comes from having a healthy relationship with God. A fear of God is birthed out of our love and respect for Him. A blessed woman forgives, because God has forgiven her and calls her to forgive. She loves, because God first loved her and calls her to love her neighbor as herself. She gives, because God gave His only begotten Son, “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
A blessed woman’s fear of God gives her wisdom in discerning who, what, and when to fear. No wonder we are told: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).
Your Call to Order
Remember that fear is a healthy emotion. Proverbs 31:30 reminds us, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.”
Gavin De Becker, in his book The Gift of Fear, tells us that the emotions behind our fears protect us from danger and, might I add, keep us from sinning against a God we love. Fear may lead you to a well-lit ATM with people nearby versus an ATM in a secluded area. Fear led Rahab to help the Israelites who came to spy on the city of Jericho. Her fear also led her to faith in the God of Israel, another quality of a blessed woman—I will share with you next time..
Power Verse
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." ~Hebrews 12:28
Original Post: http://balancingblessings.blogspot.com/search/label/Qualities%20of%20a%20Blessed%20Woman
