A Woman of Strength and Dignity

"She is clothed with strength and dignity: she can laugh at the days to come." ~ Prov. 31: 25

Everyone struggles with fear at some point in their life. Fear can rob of us our joy and the ability to embrace life’s full potential. But there’s hope and through God's word you can face your fears every day with confidence and courage to become the woman of strength and dignity that God wants you to be.

Five months ago, I was struggling with fear. Fear of not knowing what was going to happen next, fear of not being able to withstand the multiple trials coming my way, fear of failing and other fears too many to mention. Fear was taking away my joy, I was not sleeping well, had frequent headaches, overeating and not caring about my physical appearance. It was almost as if I had given up. 

I remember being at this place before and the self destruction it caused as I allowed my fears to consume me. I did not want to go back to that place again. In my crying out to God and asking Him to give me peace and remove these fears, he heard my cry and reminded me of my purpose. 

"But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." ~ Exodus 9:16  

My purpose is not to be one who is afraid, but to be an encourager, to pray for others, to be a pillar of strength and a woman of dignity. God reminded me that His presence is my source of strength.

 "It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect." ~ 2Samuel 22:33



I'm sure many of you have read the story of Queen Esther in the bible. If not, then I highly recommend it. The movie "A night with the King" will also give you a good perspective as to who Queen Esther was and how she represents a woman of Strength and Dignity.

Here is a brief summary of the book of Esther taken from bible.org.:

The Jews had been in exile for many years in the land of Babylon. When power changed to the hands of the Persians, they were still there. At the beginning of the story, the King of Persia is displeased with his queen, and removes her from her royal position. All the young maidens in the land were brought to the King over a period of time that he might choose a new queen from among them.

A young Jewish girl named Esther is among the young maidens. Her Guardian/Uncle Mordecai, brings her to the palace and he conceals her Jewish origin. After winning the favor of the King, Esther becomes Queen.

Meanwhile, Uncle Mordecai is against Haman, the King's assistant, who decides in revenge to trick the King into declaring a sentence of death on all Jews in the kingdom, to be carried out at a future date to be decided by lot. Mordecai learns of the plot, and alerts Esther. She, at great personal risk, decides to accept the role of confronting the King about the plot and begging for mercy for her people. She is successful in this matter. Through a series of  events orchestrated by God and her wise handling of the circumstances, Haman is shown before the King to be the villain that he really is.

In the end, Haman is hung on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. And the Jews of the kingdom are saved from extinction.

An illustration of Queen Esther telling her husband, the king, that Haman is evil and an enemy of her people, the Jews.

Queen Esther was an amazing woman of strength and dignity. God had a plan and a purpose for her life. She knew exactly what her purpose was and  she saved her people from death.

Is fear taking away your joy or causing you to doubt your purpose?
Ask God to show you what your purpose is, call out to him and spend time with him. He wants you to pour out your heart to him. He wants you to bring all your hurt and disappointments to him and lay them at his feet. When you're afraid, angry or frustrated, express that to God and to tell him why.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."~ Jeremiah 29:11