The Spiritual Foundation of the Modern Proverbs 31 Woman
“Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,
but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.”
— Proverbs 31:30 (CSB)
It’s that time again.
Many of us have been looking ahead to January 1, 2026, eager for a fresh start—a chance to revamp our goals, refresh our vision, and reset our routines. If I’m honest, by November each year I’m already aware of how much I need that reset.
💙 What about you?
Do you begin the new year with anticipation for change?
This year, my heart is focused on one word: wisdom. More specifically, my desire is to be rooted in it.
The Challenge of a “Fresh Start” in a Noisy World
For the Modern Proverbs 31 Woman, getting a fresh start feels harder than ever. Our minds and emotions are constantly bombarded by social media, opinions, trends, and endless suggestions about how we should look, live, eat, and achieve.
Like many of you, I’ve taken down the Christmas decorations, reorganized storage bins, donated items, and cleared space in my home. I do this every year.
But somewhere between deciding what to keep, what to donate, and what to throw away, I find myself scrolling.
Suddenly, I’m being told I need:
- New exercise equipment
- A new diet plan (and the app that goes with it)
- A capsule wardrobe inspired by an influencer’s Amazon haul
- A new food plan
- A new kitchen tool that promises transformation
And the list goes on.
Do you get lost in the scroll, too?
What We Allow Back In Matters
As it turns out, getting my house in order requires more than decluttering physical space. It also requires discernment about what I allow back in, what adds value to my home, my marriage, my mind, and my life.
Spiritual growth works the same way.
The new year offers a natural invitation to take spiritual inventory, to examine our hearts, our habits, and the foundations we’re building on as we prepare for challenges that will inevitably come.
A Closer Look at the Proverbs 31 Woman
Proverbs 31 introduces us to a woman who seems to have it all together. But trust me—she didn’t. (More on that another time.)
What Scripture does show us is a woman who walked in grace, strength, and faithfulness through every season of life. She exemplified godly character and virtue.
Yet her greatest virtue wasn’t productivity, organization, or outward success.
She was praised for her fear of the Lord.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
— Proverbs 9:10 (NIV)
Scripture makes it clear: wisdom doesn’t come from striving harder or doing more.
“The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
and to shun evil is understanding.”
— Job 28:28
Where Spiritual Growth Truly Begins
Spiritual growth doesn’t begin with new habits.
It begins with a renewed heart that reveres God.
And if we’re honest, only a few days into the new year, many of us already feel the pressure to be perfect—to keep up with resolutions, routines, and rhythms we promised ourselves we’d maintain.
Me too. I’m right there with you.
But here’s the truth that I’m anchoring myself to this year:
My daily rhythms must be rooted in reverence for the Lord, seeking His wisdom to guide me through the one life I’ve been given.
What Is the Fear of the Lord?
The word fear can feel intimidating, but Biblically it is better understood as reverence, awe, honor, and deep respect.
So what does that look like for the Modern Proverbs 31 Woman today?
Here are a few ways reverence shows up in everyday faith:
1. Reverence Looks Like Daily Surrender, Not Religious Performance
Jesus didn’t ask us to become “good people.”
He invited us to follow Him.
As we follow Him, we’re transformed. His Word does the work, but we must seek it.
2. Choosing Intimacy with God Over Comparison
It’s easy to compare our lives to the filtered versions we see online. But those images never tell the full story.
When we intentionally spend time in God’s Word and honor our relationship with Him through Jesus Christ, we grow in intimacy that leads to wisdom, peace, and grace; these things no algorithm can offer.
💙 Your Turn: A New Year Reflection
As you consider this fresh start, it’s not too late to pause and reflect on your spiritual foundation.
Ask yourself:
- Where has my faith grown stale or rushed?
- What would it look like to truly begin this year with God?
Spiritual foundations aren’t built overnight; they’re established over time.
A Simple Way to Begin
🗝️Establish a simple daily rhythm of Scripture and prayer.
That’s it.
No pressure.
No overwhelm.
No spiritual gymnastics.
Before committing to all the goals, hopes, and dreams of the new year, will you choose now to make your spiritual foundation a priority?
👉 Join me for my FREE Proverbs 31 Day Bible Reading Challenge
A simple, grace-filled way to begin this year rooted in wisdom.
