Proverbs 31:10-31

A wife of noble character who can find?
       She is worth far more than rubies.

 Her husband has full confidence in her
       and lacks nothing of value.

She brings him good, not harm,
       all the days of her life.

She selects wool and flax
       and works with eager hands.

She is like the merchant ships,
       bringing her food from afar.

She gets up while it is still dark;
       she provides food for her family
       and portions for her servant girls.

She considers a field and buys it;
       out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;
       her arms are strong for her tasks.

She sees that her trading is profitable,
       and her lamp does not go out at night.

In her hand she holds the distaff
       and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

She opens her arms to the poor
       and extends her hands to the needy.

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
       for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

She makes coverings for her bed;
       she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Her husband is respected at the city gate,
       where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

She makes linen garments and sells them,
       and supplies the merchants with sashes.

She is clothed with strength and dignity;
       she can laugh at the days to come.

She speaks with wisdom,
       and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She watches over the affairs of her household
       and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her children arise and call her blessed;
       her husband also, and he praises her:

"Many women do noble things,
       but you surpass them all."

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
       but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Give her the reward she has earned,
       and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

 Contentment 

Philippians 4:11
"Not that I speak in respect for want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

Hebrews 13:5
"...and be content with such things as ye have; for He hath said, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee."

1 Timothy 6:6
"Godliness with contentment is great gain."

Philippians 4:11
"Not that I speak in respect for want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."

When Paul wrote this passage, he was in prison and facing almost certain death. And yet, he wrote about being content! How could he, facing such terrible circumstances write about contentment?

I can only think of one possible way. He trusted God. He knew that no matter what happened, God was in control.

Notice that contentment is paired with godliness in 1 Timothy 6:6. We cannot be godly and continue to be swayed by every circumstance that comes our way. We are to be satisfied and not to seek more than what God has already given to us. God calls us to be content, to totally lean on Him for all necessities of life, to believe that He "knows" best, to allow HIm to order each day of our lives, and to know that nothing comes our way that He hasn't allowed.

But exactly what is contentment? Webster's Dictionary defines contentment as rest or quietness of the mind in the present condition; satisfaction which holds the mind in peace, restraining complaint, opposition or further desire and often implying a moderate degree of happiness. Another way of looking at contentment is simply realizing that God is in control.

Women in particular tend to have a propensity towards worrying. We also tend to long for what we do not have. We wish our circumstances were different. We worry about everything from what to wear to global politics. But where does all of this worrying and longing get us?

Perhaps if we can just turn our focus towards Our Heavenly Father, and rely on His Strength, we can find that quietness of mind.

    "To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." ~ Titus 2:5