Becoming a Wise Woman – Part 1

I realize one of the things that has badgered me and lead me into unwise thinking is unwise teachings. When I was a younger mother and wife, I read books by authors who challenged me as a wife and mother, not made excuses for me. And I really did well with that. It kept me moving forward, even imperfectly.

Today, authoring and publishing books is done by just about anybody, whether they are an expert on the topic or not. The information doesn’t need to be accurate, it just needs to sell. A published book (or blog post) is not a final authority on a subject. It is much more difficult to navigate the waters of false teachings, even from well meaning people. Always line up teachings with Scripture. Always.

I find much of the teachings for women to be emotionally based. Don’t get me wrong, I get that as women, we’re emotional. But I think it can be dangerous to tap into that in order to guide us through life, our spiritual walk, and our roles as women. Unglued by Lysa TerKeurst, encompasses much of my own thinking. The entire book talks about keeping our emotions under control.

Having said all that, I aim to start afresh and read wise words, beginning first with the Bible. This is the ultimate authority on life and has direction for my every role as a woman and a child of God. There are countless ways to be wise, and rather than focusing on all the excuses people make for me, directly or indirectly, I choose to take responsibility for my own actions.

Reading the wise words of women who have been there is not bad! We just need to discern. I’d say the best way to do that is to evaluate whether what you’re reading is helping you move closer to God and serve better, or driving you away by offering you a comfortable, complacent life because “you’ll never measure up anyways.” No. We won’t ever measure up. But that’s not the encouragement women need!

We need to know that we can do all things through Christ, because He strengthens us. (Philippians 4:13)

I want to be an excellent wife and mother, and maybe this will look different for some. It’s not necessarily about a task list, though getting things accomplished is important. It begins with love. Why do I want to aim for excellency rather than make excuses for why I’m not good enough?  Because I love those who share life with me and they don’t need a wife or mother with a pity party.

I find that when I stand secure in Christ rather than focus on all my failures, He accomplishes much more through me. There is such a difference between a mindset of defeat, and a mindset of victory. Christ wants us to walk in victory so He can use us for great things.

I am the kind of person who likes to be challenged. The thing is, it’s not about performing well; it’s about serving well. It’s not about me that I want to strive for excellence, it’s for those I love.

Because after seeing the end results in living the complacent , defeated life compared with striving for a life of intentional excellence, I am compelled to action. I don’t want to be foolish. I don’t want to live defeated.

I don’t want to teach my children how to whittle away their time rather than spend it wisely.

I don’t want to shame myself by leaving my children to themselves.

I don’t want to be a naive wife who believes her marriage doesn’t need intentional attention.

I also don’t want to be a self-dependent woman who thinks that everything lies within what she can do. Which means my walk with Christ must be purposeful as well. I must remember that I am nothing without Christ and can do nothing without Him. Everything good comes from Him. I am totally reliant on Him for any good that comes through me.

I’d say a wise woman has a strong prayer life. That’s what I want.

Journey with me as I learn about becoming a wise woman?