Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 31:10, 28, Her Children Rise Up

by Marilynn Chadwick

“A woman of valor, who can find? Her children rise up and call her blessed”

Proverbs 31:10, 28 JPS

The Proverbs 31 “woman of valor” must have had some warrior in her. After all, the Hebrew term chayil, translated “valor,” is a military term.

I once asked my husband how he saw me as a fighter. David thought for a minute and said: “You have fought so hard for our children’s dreams.”

It’s true. I fought harder to help our kids reach their dreams than I ever fought for my own. This quote says it best: “Reaching your own dreams is fulfilling—helping someone else reach their dreams is sublime.” And when that “someone else” happens to be your own children, it’s joy on steroids.

I wonder if the Proverbs 31 woman of valor discovered this same joy in seeing her children succeed. We’re told, “her children rise up and call her blessed,” (Proverbs 31:28 ESV). The Hebrew word, qum, translated “rise up” is very strong. It means, “to accomplish, to build, to establish, to strengthen, to succeed.”

I’d like to think her children were now grown, happy, and fulfilled. They had reached their dreams, in part, because of their mother’s impact. She had taught them. Nurtured, clothed, and cared for them. Perhaps they saw their mom in prayer, seeking the Lord and fighting for their dreams.

The Proverbs 31 woman poured her life into her children, so I can imagine her satisfaction as she watched them flourish. Nothing makes me happier than when my children, and now grandchildren, “rise up” and succeed.

To love our children well calls for self-sacrifice and courage. What are some ways you can encourage your children to dream big? Or is there another child, not your own, who desperately needs your encouragement?

“Tread lightly around the dreams of a child,” Mother Teresa once said. “You may be treading on the dreams of God.” As women of valor, let’s dare to fight for the dreams of the next generation.

Today’s Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You by Marilynn Chadwick.

Click here to order your copy today!

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 31:10, Love Makes Her Brave

by Marilynn Chadwick

“Who can find a woman of valor?”

Proverbs 31:10 OJB

I agree with Indiana Jones: “I hate snakes!’ Or maybe I don’t actually hate them…I’m just not thrilled about having them near our home. Some time ago, I saw a very large snake trying to get into the crawl space under our house. A short time earlier, our older son had found a copperhead while cleaning out our garage.

My first thought with this snake was, “Yikes!” My next was, “Go get him!” Like any good soldier, I ran toward the danger. I went after that snake with a vengeance and sent him into the next life. Why? Because he was trying to get into my house, a threat to my home and my family! I’m scared of snakes, but my love for my family made me brave. Maybe you can relate. Is there a time when you did something that scared you to protect someone you loved? If so, you were showing valor.

I’m captivated by the Hebrew word chayil, translated “valor,” used to describe the Proverbs 31 woman. “Who can find a woman of valor?” (Proverbs 31:10 OJB). God created woman to be a nurturer. But he also made her brave.

Simply put, valor is personal bravery in the face of danger, especially in battle. In its nearly 100 uses in the Old Testament, the word for “valor,” chayil depicts warriors, like King David’s “mighty men.” Other times, chayil describes God as a warrior for his people. It’s the same word used for heaven’s angel armies.

I find the term “woman of valor” both compelling and poetic. My daughter, a young wife and mother, likes this expression because it makes her think of courage and strength. Valor is courage. But the woman of valor also embodies honor, strength of character, virtue, and so much more.

I believe we need to become women of valor as we face our own battles today. Unlike the woman of Proverbs 31, we enjoy breakthroughs in medicine, science, and travel. But consider the enemies we face in our world: Addiction, divorce, domestic violence, child abuse, poverty, unemployment, pornography, human trafficking, joblessness, homelessness. Daily, we’re bombarded by news of terror attacks somewhere in the world. If this isn’t war, my friend, I don’t know what is.

The woman of valor is essentially a warrior, a fighter at heart. She fights not only for her personal world, but also for the world around her. As I listen to conversations with women of all ages, stages, and walks of life, I’m hearing a recurring theme—their heart’s desire to be strong for their families and communities. In short, they long to be courageous women God can use to change their world. Is God calling you to become a woman of valor? Remember, it's love that makes you brave.

Today’s Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You by Marilynn Chadwick. Click here to order your copy today!

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 17:22

by David Chadwick

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Proverbs 17:22

What great truths are found in Proverbs 17:22! Let’s take a look at them today.

The first truth is that a joyful heart is good medicine. Other translations say a cheerful heart is good medicine. What is the primary lesson here? Choose joy! Seek to focus on what is positive. Raise your faith. Focus on God’s goodness. Remember all God’s benefits to you! Choose to believe that everything will work out for good.

Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Philippians 4:8 says we are to fix our eyes on, to think about, and to focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. There is a reason why God tells us to do these things! Because there is a clear correlation between what we focus on with our minds and how it consumes our hearts, and thus affects our entire being.

The second truth is that if you have a crushed spirit, it can actually dry up the bones and cause poor health. Secular studies even show this truth.

We are body, soul, and spirit. If your spirit is crushed, it can affect your physical health. If your body is struggling, your mind can be affected. And so on, and so forth. We are interdependent beings.

So, how do you deal with a crushed spirit? The best way is to count your blessings. Each day. If necessary, write them down.

Meditate on Psalm 103:3-5. Don’t forget all of the benefits of salvation. Give thanks in all things. This helps you to choose joy and experience the good medicine that comes from it. As a result, your spirit will not just survive but thrive, and your physical health–your bones–won’t ever dry up.

For more encouragement, check out the song Choose Joy by Parker Robinson as

mentioned in today’s podcast! To listen on Spotify, click here. To listen on Apple Music, click here.