“She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.”
Proverbs 31:17
The day at hand holds many things: joyful encounters, enduring trials, mundane tasks, exciting adventures, and everything in between.
I encourage you, friend, to prepare yourself for the day at hand. Be ready for every kind of work that may present itself to you.
“Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.”
Corrie Ten Boom
How Does This Work Practically?
I know that this is one of those verses that sounds very inspiring and maybe even worth memorizing, but it also may leave you wondering how it applies to you in your day-to-day life.
What does it actually mean to dress oneself with strength? And does making my arms strong mean working out…?
A few ideas of how to do this on a practical level include, but are not limited to:
- Prayer. I’d say this, along with Bible reading, is the best way to gird yourself in vigor. I don’t always make this happen, but I like to take a few moments in the morning to pray for the Lord to strengthen me for the coming day.
- Bible Reading. As Christians, the Bible is our spiritual food. The words in it are God breathed and bring nourishment to the soul. I hope you can find a bit of time to read the Bible each day. I enjoy reading one chapter of Proverbs for every day of the month and then another chapter in another book.
- Community. No man is an island. We all need community! Find a group of people who are rooted in the truths of the Bible and join them. This may be a church, two or three close friends, a small group from church, another mom down the road, or a couple of coworkers. Find them, join them, pray together, read Scripture, laugh, cry, encourage, serve others…do life together. That’s what Christian community is designed to be. I encourage you to read about this community described in Acts 2:42-47 and Acts 4:32-37.
- Journalling. This can take as much or as little time as you’d like it to. Write down prayers, praises, hard days, great days, hopes, dreams, and emotions. Your journal will soon become something to look back on and see where you’ve come from, what you’ve gone through, how to improve, and the ways God has moved in your life. Sometimes looking back can feel very strengthening.
- Prioritize Sleep. Getting a good night’s rest provides you with a mental and physical recharge. Both of which we all need at the end of the day. I know I am not as focused, patient, or kind when my sleep is lacking!
- Fueling Your Body. Eating habits make themselves evident. It may come in the form of weight, hormonal imbalances, irritability, upset stomach, or acne. Junk foods and highly processed foods may fill you up, but they do not provide you with the same nutritional benefits that whole foods do. I definitely do not eat perfectly, and I feel and the result of it a few days later. So much of strengthening yourself for the day involves the kind of foods you give yourself.
- Stay Active. And here’s the part about working out. I’ll be honest. I do not work out because I do not like to work out. I never have and I’m not sure I ever will (I won’t say it isn’t possible…I just have doubts). But here are some things I enjoy: walking, hiking, gardening, and working outdoors. Each of those activities involves movement, and that’s the idea…staying active! This may mean a daily workout routine for you, so go for it! I encourage you to find ways to get moving throughout the day even if it’s just cleaning the house!
- Set Three Goals: Sometimes I create a list for the day that is absolutely impossible to accomplish simply because there are not enough hours in the day to do it all. I end up feeling much more discouraged when this happens. Even if I do complete a long list like that, it usually costs me rest and leaves me stressed. So here’s what I’ve done to help with that: setting three main goals for the day. Example, 1)Write one blog post for next week 2) Clean the bathroom 3) Weed the tomatoes. This feels more manageable and I am usually able to accomplish all three tasks (and sometimes I even more!)
Gird yourself with strength and go do the work He places before you, friend.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
“But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 59:16
Find More Encouragement
- Grid Yourself With Joy
- God’s Call to Home-Making
- Quiet Spring Beauty
- The Little Things in Life
- Joy in Winter
- Thriving Despite Winter Blues
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