Abiding With Christ in Midlife
How can a New Testament woman of faith relate to the Old Testament example of the Proverbs 31 woman?
When Proverbs 31 Feels Like a Measuring Stick
For many Christian women, Proverbs 31 has felt less like an invitation and more like a measuring stick. We’ve heard her described as the ideal—faithful, capable, tireless—often held up as the standard we’re supposed to emulate. And somewhere along the way, many of us quietly began striving to measure up.
When Faith Becomes Performance
I am a recovering people pleaser. I like when the people I love and serve are happy and walking in their calling. But constantly trying to meet unspoken expectations is overwhelming. It leaves people like me wondering
Am I doing enough? Am I enough?
But perfection is not the goal. Devotion to the Lord and His Word is where our validation comes from.
The woman described in Proverbs 31 wasn’t perfect, and we aren’t called to be either.
Her life reflected a deep reverence for the Lord, a devotion that shaped everything else. She didn’t strive harder, she simply lived a life rooted in God and His Word.
Of the seven virtues found in Proverbs 31, devotion is the foundation from which all the others grow.
That’s Where This February Journey Begins.
Throughout this month, we’ll explore what it means to be a modern-day Proverbs 31 woman. By looking at John 15, we’ll discover what happens when we choose to remain in Christ and allow His Word to remain in us.
In this series, we’ll explore:
- Why abiding—not striving—is the key to spiritual growth
- How to Abide in love by staying rooted in Christ
- Why God prunes us in midlife so spiritual fruit can grow
- Why Bearing fruit that lasts is legacy of faith and wisdom we can leave for the next generation.
Relationship Over Recognition
Perhaps no one will write a poem about our lives as they did in Proverbs 31—and that’s okay. Our greatest reward is not recognition, but relationship. As we abide in Christ, our deepest desire becomes pleasing the heart of the Father and walking closely with Jesus.
That is the life we are invited into—and it begins by abiding.
I’ll see you over in the next post, but until then, be sure you never miss a thing by ensuring you’re on the mailing list.
PROVERBS 31 BIBLE READING PLAN
If you’re ready to move from striving to abiding, I’d love to walk with you through Scripture. My Proverbs 31 Bible Reading Plan for Christian Women is designed to help you read and reflect on Proverbs 31 with clarity, grace, and a Christ-centered perspective—one day at a time.
This simple reading plan and guided journal will help you:
- Understand Proverbs 31 in its biblical context
- Focus on devotion over perfection
- Grow in spiritual maturity without pressure or comparison
It’s a gentle companion to this February series and a meaningful way to stay rooted in God’s Word.
Download the Proverbs 31 Bible Reading Plan
A printed version is available on amazon.com
