Four Spirits of a Godly Woman
In my opinion, mothers should be honored much more often than once a year. Although some mothers are not worthy of honor, most of the mothers I have known are more precious than gold!
Being a wife and mother is not an easy task. It requires much giving with a disproportionately small amount of getting. It requires following, even when you know it is the wrong way. Success in this comes to those who have the right spirit. Let’s look at four of them.
1) A reverent spirit. The last verse of Ephesians 5 admonishes, “and the wife, see that she reverence her husband.” This does not mean worship nor does it mean she is blind to her husband’s weaknesses. Peter speaks of Sarah calling her husband “Lord.” (1 Peter 3:6). Significantly, he says that the holy woman of old did not need to trust their husbands to follow her example. They “trusted in God.” (5) In other words, they so trusted God’s sovereign, loving control that they believed God could even bring good from the mistakes of their husbands. Sarah certainly saw that happen.
2) A servant spirit. God created the woman to be the helper of her husband so that, together, they can accomplish His will. She is born to be a servant. If this sounds demeaning, remember that Jesus said He came to be a servant as well. (Matt. 20:28) You are in good company! A servant is someone whose goal is to make someone else a success. A wife who publicly criticizes her husband is declaring that she is failing at her primary task!
3) A grateful spirit. Gratefulness is admonished of us all (1 Thess. 5:18) but it is especially powerful in a wife and mother. Gratefulness flows from contentment. (1 Tim. 6:8) It is saying, “I am thankful for where I am and what I have. I am satisfied in God.” Such a spirit will naturally flow into the hearts of her children and make her home a little bit of heaven on earth.
4) A meek and quiet spirit. Peter again says, “Whose adorning let it be . . . the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.” (3:3-4) This would be the opposite of a contentious and an angry woman, mentioned in Proverbs 21:19. It is the spirit of Christ for He said, “I am meek and lowly in heart.” (Matt. 11:29) Meekness is not weakness but strength under control. It is giving my expectations to God to be fulfilled in His time and way. (Psalm 62:5) It is resting quietly in the Lord. God counts this spirit very precious indeed!
Thank God for the godly women in our midst! We husbands, parents, and children rise up and call you blessed! (Prov. 31:28)