7 Days to Renew Your Strength in God - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - November 20
Regularly, I ask God to show me anything I believe about Him and live in obedience that is not accurate. I will pray, “Lord, please show me what I need to see,” and He answers by bringing something to my mind or through His Word. One morning, my attention was drawn to a verse I have read countless times:
“Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.” Proverbs 31:25
I could not move past it. What does it truly mean to be clothed with strength and dignity? The more I studied, the more I realized that this kind of strength is not about effort or willpower. The Hebrew word for “strength” in this passage is “chayil,” which describes courage, noble character, and ability. It is a word used of warriors and women alike, and it speaks of a strength that flows directly from God’s presence. This woman was not self-made; she was Spirit-filled. Her power came from walking with the Lord and from drawing on His endless supply.
That truth began to sink in. I realized that I often try to run on my own strength. I will start each day with good intentions, but usually end it weary and empty. Then God began to teach me that I needed to come to Him first. I started sitting quietly with Scripture before the day began, not to check a box, but to connect with Him and soak in His Word. As I did, I noticed that when I fed my soul before starting my day, strength came from a deeper place. What once felt like a burden began to feel like an invitation.
Borrowed Strength
Ephesians 6:10 says, “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Real strength is borrowed strength. It is not something we manufacture; It is something we receive. It grows each time we surrender. Strength, as exemplified by the Proverbs 31 woman, is both spiritual and practical. Verse 17 says, “She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong.” I imagine her rolling up her sleeves and doing the work God had given her. She used her energy wisely and took care of herself in order to serve others well.
For a long time, I separated physical care from spiritual discipline. However, I’m learning that the two are closely connected. When I rest, nourish, and move my body, I’m practicing stewardship. My body is the instrument through which I serve. When I am healthy, I can love, work, serve, and give with greater joy. Scripture reminds us, “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Even the smallest acts – drinking water, walking outside, getting enough rest – become worship when done with the heart to honor Him.
Strength of Mind and Heart
Peter urges believers, “Prepare your minds for action; be sober-minded.” (1 Peter 1:13) A disciplined mind works to keep its emotions anchored in truth. When I’m physically exhausted or spiritually distracted, my thoughts wander easily into feeling anxiety or into self-focus. But when I rest and remind myself of the truth, “taking every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5), peace begins to guard my heart again.
God invites us to a mental strength that is not prideful or stubborn but rooted in faith. It is the quiet confidence that comes from setting our hope “fully on the grace that will be brought to us” (1 Peter 1:13).
Quiet Strength:
Some days, I still feel overwhelmed. My instinct is to shut down, but lately I’ve been learning to sit in silence. To breathe. To rely on the Lord, who is my strength. God is teaching me that true strength does not always manifest as bold action; it often reveals itself in quiet surrender.
Isaiah 30:15 “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
Strength sometimes looks like slowing down long enough to hear God’s voice again. It is choosing to trust instead of trying to control, to pray instead of panic, to rest instead of rush. The Proverbs 31 woman’s clothing of “strength and dignity” was not something she put on for others to see. It was the result of years spent walking with God. Her strength came from knowing Him. Her dignity came from reflecting Him. She did not wake up one morning suddenly fearless or wise; she became that way through daily dependence.
Strength and dignity are not natural fabrics—they’re divine garments woven by grace. And the more we wear them, the lighter everything else begins to feel.
Laughter at the Future
There is a reason she “laughs at the time to come.” That laughter isn’t careless or naïve; it’s the sound of a heart at rest. It is the joy that rises when fear loses its grip because our confidence is not in our circumstances but in the God who already holds them.
Her laughter is a picture of peace that no diagnosis, delay, or disappointment can shake. It is the laughter of a woman who believes God will be faithful, even if she can’t see how yet. Real strength isn’t about holding everything together; it’s about holding onto the right thing. When we cling to the hand of God, His strength becomes our own.
The Proverbs 31 woman isn’t a picture of perfection meant to intimidate us; She is an invitation to transformation. She shows us what happens when ordinary women rely on an extraordinary God, and when we stop trying to be enough and instead trust the One who already is.
Let’s Pray
Lord, You are my strength. Teach me what it means to be clothed in Your power, rather than in my own performance. Help me to depend on You first each morning, to find quiet rest in Your presence, and to walk in the confidence that You are all I need. Let my life reflect the calm, steady strength of a woman who knows she is loved. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Photo credit: ©GettyImages/AaronAmat
Related Resource: Soft Words for Hard Days: A Conversation with Aundi Kolber
Some days feel heavy. Some moments leave us wondering how to keep going. If you’ve ever longed for encouragement amid life’s hardest moments, I have a special episode of The Love Offering for you. This week, I’m joined by therapist and bestselling author Aundi Kolber to discuss her latest book, Take What You Need: Soft Words for Hard Days. This beautiful collection of quotes, scriptures, prayers, and gentle exercises is designed to be a balm for your most tender places—a reminder that you are never alone on your journey to healing.
In our conversation, we explore:
✨ How to hold space for yourself and others in difficult seasons
✨ The power of compassionate words when life feels overwhelming
✨ Practical ways to embrace healing and take one more step forward
If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
