“She perceives that her merchandise is good.” Proverbs 31:18 NKJV
THE MISTAKES you have made may be big, bad, and oft repeated. But they haven’t changed God’s mind about you. “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again, and you…will be rebuilt” (Jeremiah 31:3-4 NIV). Yes, God will correct you when you need it. But His correction is not rejection—it’s proof of His love. “The Lord disciplines the one he loves” (Hebrews 12:6 NIV). God’s purpose in discipline is to develop you to your highest potential. So don’t let anyone put you down. Be your authentic self when you’re with others. Focus on what you have to give, rather than on how others perceive you. Don’t put on airs, brag, or name-drop in an attempt to level the playing field. You are already equal—even if you don’t have a similar education, experience, financial status, social standing, or background. Since when did such things make anybody inherently superior to another—especially in the eyes of your heavenly Father? If your goal in life is to please everyone and have them speak well of you, your self-worth will always be at their mercy. Solomon describes the qualities of a virtuous woman. Here’s one of them: “She perceives that her merchandise is good.” This woman wasn’t prideful, she was just confident in who God had made her to be and the assignment He had given her to fulfill. Her confidence came from within, not from without. Solomon ends the chapter in these words: “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise” (Proverbs 31:31 NIV).
Soul Food Reading: Lam 1:1 – 3:39, Matt 19:15-30, Ps 119:121-128, Pro 18:13-20
