Strength and honor are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. The woman who fears the Lord does not need to be afraid of storms coming for her family because she has made preparations. She has thought ahead and has taken care of their needs before the snow comes (Proverbs 31:21)

That word, strength, in the Hebrew language means “boldness,” “might,” “power.” It’s strength not of body. It’s not physical strength primarily. It’s strength of mind, strength of heart, strength of soul. She’s a woman of strength. She’s clothed with strength of mind and heart.

Then that word dignity or honor, it means “beauty,” “majesty,” “excellence,” “splendor.” She’s a woman who is clothed with strength and dignity, strength and honor, might and beauty. Here’s a woman who is able to bear up under pressure and adversity. She’s a woman who has mental, emotional, and spiritual fortitude. She’s strong within. She’s able to withstand opposition and to continue blessing and serving the Lord and others even in the midst of storms and crises.

To have that kind of strength and dignity, or honor, is not natural. We are naturally weak, not strong. Naturally, we cave under pressure but she knows that her God is her confident and is strong. She has a spirit to bear up under crosses and disappointments.

But where do you find this kind of strength and beauty?

I found her In God’s sanctuary. She hungered and longed for God’s presence. Her strength and dignity, a woman’s strength and honor come from living in God’s presence.

The journey towards finding her taught me how to smile at the future when the future seems uncertain or frightening or overwhelming. The journey towards finder her reminded me that I would need to draw my strength looking at my past, present, and future, using Gods’ perspective and promises on each of those events.

As I walked further down my journey, I learned who she was. I saw a woman who is, at her core, someone who seeks the Lord in everything she does and trusts Him wholeheartedly with her life. She is like to Christ is like. When she spoke, her words gave me life (Pr. 31:26). She is a woman who is banking on a future reward. Her circumstances now may be challenging, but she knows that the day is coming when there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore at His right hand.

She made an impact in my spiritual life. She had been with God and knew Him deeply. She is not perfect, but she sought God and related to Him sincerely and honestly. She knew His voice, and made room for Him in her hidden parts of her hearts.

A monologue

I have always struggled with finding my place in this world. I was never quite sure of my purpose. I’ve struggled with knowing who I am and being confident in her.

Even after I gave my life to Christ, I still had this disastrous opinion of myself. In some ways, this mindset became worse. I didn’t good enough Christian. I didn’t see myself as someone who could lead people. When I looked at God and all that encompassed His very being, I began to see myself through his lens. Everything about him said so much about a very broken and lost me. So much of his word showed me exactly who I am.

Who am I, then?

I’m The One Clothed in Strength and Dignity.

I’m a beautiful woman, God’s workmanship. I’m intelligent, kind, hardworking, very caring and compassionate. I can be sassy every now and then. I am strong-willed. I am loved. I have a wonderful place in this world and it’s right here in my leading, my writing, my gifts, and my talents.

When God created this world, he looked at it and saw it was good. He looks at me and calls me good—imperfect and always in need of grace, but still good.

“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine” Song of Solomon 6:3. Beloved means dear to the heart and one greatly loved. He calls me His beloved. I am his beloved and he is mine. I am only this because of my savior. I am loved by a great, deep, and powerful love. It comes in the form of a bloody cross and a writhing, agonizing Christ. It comes as a resurrected King and an abounding grace that covers all sin.

Despite all of my failures, sins, and wayward longings, he still calls me his beloved. I did nothing good or worthy to deserve this extraordinary honor, yet it was bestowed on me by mercy.

It is a gift I must treasure; it is a crown I must wear as I follow God through a variety of terrains that landscape different seasons. And as I wear this crown adorned by Christ, I must believe in myself the way God believes in me. If I am to be his beloved, I must love myself just as he loves me. Living this truth is not an option; it is a requirement. God has gifted me so that I may do things for him I nor anyone else can do.