Proverbs 31:17

10)  An excellent wife who can find?  She is far more precious than jewels.  11) The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.  12) She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.  13) She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.  14)  She is like the ships of the merchant;  she brings her food from afar.  15)  She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.  16)  She considers a field and buys it;  with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.  17) She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.  18) She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.  Her lamp does not go out at night.  19) She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.  20) She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.  21) She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.  22) She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.  23) Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.  24) She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.  25) Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.  26) She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.  27) She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.  28) Her children rise up and call her blessed;  her husband also, and he praises her:  29) "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." 30)  Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  31) Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.  

How does a woman dress herself with strength?  Can I do that by being a dictator in my home, a "battle axe" so to speak?  I don't think so.  I think we can gather our strength from the word of God and His might alone.


2nd Samuel 22:40  "For you equipped me with strength for the battle;  you made those who rise against me sink under me."


1st Chronicles 16:11  "Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually."


Nehemiah 8:10b  "And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."


Psalm 28:7  "The Lord is my strength and my shield;  in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him."


Psalm 105:4  "Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually." 


See a pattern here?  Our strength, if like the virtuous woman, should come from the Lord.  We can not do any thing we set our minds to, but we can do all things that the Lord gives us strength to do.  
After last week, my arms were sore, my back hurt, and my feet were in bad shape too.  It wasn't that I had done any thing that was so physical, but I'm certain I was aching as I was beginning to release my fears in a situation to the Lord, my muscles were sore because I had begun to relax them.  I joke that my trust muscles were sore, but I feel that it was really having carried these fears with me for so long, and finally haven given them up to Him, I was able to feel the damage that carrying them with my own strength had done.  He is there to provide us with the courage, faith, and mercies we need to get through any and all situations that come our way.


No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.  1st Corinthians 10:13  


Stand up women of God,  STAND UP!  He will be the strength in us.  He will be the one making our arms strong.  There is no video with a six minute work out that can give you more strength than what we will find in Him.