Consider the Lilies: Laugh Without Fear

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Via

The virtuous woman clothes herself with strength and dignity. We've read about her outward garments and now we read here about her inward "clothing", the virtues she adds to her life. Let's take a closer look at each and why we should clothe ourselves with them.

Strength: the quality or state of being strong; capacity for endurance; power of resisting attack; one regarded as embodying force or firmness

The ability to endure is one that every Christian needs to have! We must be ready to endure, to persevere. The race of our Christian life is not an easy one, nor did God say it would be. Our eyes need to stay on the goal-Heaven! I think Paul said it best (Philippians 4:13-14) "...but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

The ability to resist attack is another virtue everyone needs. We must be ready against our "adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walks about seeking whom he may devour."(1 Pet 5:8). Now I don't know about you, but if I knew there was a roaring lion in my neighborhood I would be prepared! Think about all the steps you would take to protect your family! But the devil is out there, ready to attack us any chance he can get! Prepare yourselves-study, pray, avoid situations where temptation may arise! Can we avoid it all? No, but when those temptations do arise remember that God will give us a way of escape!

Dignity: the quality or state of being worthy, honored, or esteemed

Do you ever feel unworthy, useless? I think that is something that we all struggle with from time to time. But as a dear friend reminded me in a recent devotional-our worth comes from above! We must be careful not to judge our worth by what others think. God thought that we were worth sending His only Son for us even though we were sinful! (John 3:16, Romans 5:8-9)

Now notice the last part of the verse "she laughs without fear of the future". She can do this because she has clothed herself with strength and dignity. We don't have to worry about what's going to happen in the future. God has a plan! It may not be what we had planned but He knows what's best for us!