Hey There, Woman of Valour – Pt.2

As the mom of 4 boys, it is an almost daily occurrence that someone comes to tell me that someone else called them a name, or said something unkind. Many times there are tears or angry retorts involved, and discipline that needs to take place, but as undesirable as these moments are, they do provide valuable teaching opportunities.

Words. Are. Powerful. The old adage that “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” simply isn’t true. Words have the ability to build up and to tear down. It’s something that I think we take for granted, but one of the most powerful tools that we have available to us to affect change.

I want my children to take what comes out of their mouths seriously and I’m working hard to teach them the power of the words that they use. To be the example of what kindness can do. I also want them to know that they do not have to accept every word that is hurled in their direction as truth.

All too often, the spouting of unkind words and calling names isn’t left in childhood and instead follows us through life, taking on many forms – criticism, comparison, gossip, abusive language, etc. Some are more subversive than others, but each is damaging in its own way. And unfortunately, women in our culture have become far too adept at wielding them and tearing each other down.

In part 1 of Hey There – Woman of Valour, we explored how the Proverbs 31 woman, known as eshet chayil in Hebrew, is a woman of valour and her actions spring from who God designed her to be, not who she needs to become. We learned that when we recognize that we are women of valour and when we fear the Lord and draw on His strength, we can do amazing things.

But for some of us, that is a hard thing to imagine. Because we don’t see ourselves the way that God sees or created us to be. We remain trapped in rehearsing our mistakes, our setbacks, and the negative things that have been spoken over us. In fact, we are surrounded by women who believe lies about themselves every day.

I used to think this verse meant that virtuous women were few and far between, so I should work hard to be named as one of the few. But in understanding that eshet chayil is a woman of valour, not one of perfection, I don’t think this means that she is an anomaly, or impossible to find. Rather, she needs to be sought out and found in the place she is hiding. In the place of uncertainty and insecurity. Needs to be unearthed and brought out from all of the things she’s been buried under. Rescued from the negative self talk or the damaging words that others have spoken over her. To have words of life poured over her, like life giving water, so that she can bloom.

Scripture has a lot to say about our words. The book of James speaks about the tongue, it’s ability to direct the course of our lives like a ship’s rudder, and the necessity of controlling it. Proverbs 18:21 says that death and life are in the power of the tongue, and we will reap the fruit of our words. Ephesians 4:29 says that the words that come out of our mouths should be to build up and encourage those who hear them.

Our words have the potential to be both seed and water.

We can plant seeds of life and light with our words, but we also have the ability to water the dormant seeds or the ones that are struggling to thrive in someone else.

Isn’t that incredible?

When God called Gideon to lead the children of Israel in Judges chapter 6, he was far from perfect and not what we would see as good leadership material. He was in an old wine press threshing wheat, hiding in fear of the Midianites who were terrorizing Israel and pillaging their lands and crops. But that is exactly when the Angel of the LORD appeared to him and called him a “mighty man of valour”.

Gideon was quick to contradict and offer proof of his disqualification for the title and the call that God was giving him to lead Israel. But God doesn’t make mistakes. Gideon had to choose to believe the Word of the Lord rather than his own circumstances, and when he did, transformation took place.

That doesn’t mean that after stepping out and accepting God’s call, Gideon didn’t struggle. He was still fearful and hesitant, asking repeatedly for confirmation of God’s direction. But the with each step of obedience, each act of reliance on God, he became stronger. And it all started with the powerful affirming words of the Creator!

God calls us what HE sees, not what we believe is true.

God doesn’t see us the way the world sees, He looks at our hearts. Like an architect looking at his blueprints, He sees the precious daughter and powerful woman that He designed. And, He is calling that woman out of the shadows she has been hidden in. So, then shouldn’t we, as Christ followers and reflections of Him to the world around us, follow His example?

What if we chose to speak eshet chayil over the women in our lives? Calling to the woman of valour that God designed, encouraging her to step out bravely in her journey of becoming and growth, rather than comparing, criticizing, and emphasizing her fails. We have an enemy, who constantly whispers how unworthy, unwelcome, un “you-name-it” we are. He does his job very well and he certainly doesn’t need our help in tearing our sisters down.

Women have a tremendous influence and the power to affect change. Doesn’t it then stand to reason that an army of women of valour, filled with the Spirit of God and fueled by His Word, standing in solidarity with each other could revolutionize the world? It’s time to call forth the Women of Valour!

It’s time to hear the Truth and grab ahold of it like a life line. To every woman reading these words – You Are A Woman of Valour! Regardless of your marital or family situation, of health or ability, of socioeconomic status or cultural background, of success or failure, or of the challenges you face every day – You are a Woman of Valour! It doesn’t matter what negative words have been spoken over you or what you have come to believe about yourself. As God called Gideon out when he couldn’t see who he was made to be, I am calling to the eshet chayil in you. It’s time to rise up and believe that you are loved, beautiful, incredibly valuable, and that you have a purpose that God destined just for you.

 The woman of valour comes in many forms, but her most vibrant quality is her bravery. It’s time to be brave!

Today I will end with a challenge. I dare you to call forth the woman of valour in another woman. I dare you to look for the woman of valour in another and to use your words to bring life. Time to rise up, Eshet Chayil! We were created to bring forth life, so let’s use the power of our words and make a difference.

Until next time, friends…