Realize Your Inner Warrior Woman

Note: This post originated on The Diligent Woman in 2017, I’m updating and sharing it here on the new home for The Diligent Woman content.

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. Prov. 31:10 (NASB)

This woman who is being described in Proverbs 31:10-31 is a Warrior Woman. The word that is translated as "excellent"in the NASB is also translated as "virtuous" in the KJV and NKJV. "Worthy woman" is what the ASV says. Our English words do not always convey the exact idea that was in the original language. This is one of those times, in my opinion.

This Hebrew word chayil means "strength, might, efficiency, wealth, army". It is used 243 times in the Old Testament. In at least 181 of those 243 times it is referring to something military related. So, this woman could just as easily be described as "a strong woman", "a mighty woman", or "a valiant woman". This, my friend, is the woman each of is made to be - a warrior woman.

This warrior woman wages her battle quite literally on the home front. She is the soldier designated to the keeping (another military concept, watching over the "keep") of the hearth and home.

There are many who want to tear you down for being a "stay at home mom" or a "housewife". They seem to think that these are lowly forms of self-expression and function. What a foolish position to take!

Use Your Imagination

For just a moment I want you to use your imagination. In Ephesians 6:10-17 we are given a clear depiction of the armor God has given to His warriors, ALL of them. So in your mind picture that armor laid out in front of you:

• the belt of Truth that holds the armor all together

• the breastplate of Righteousness that protects all of the vital organs

• boots that are strengthened through preparation in the Gospel of Peace

• the shield of Faith to brace on your arm to extinguish the blows of the enemy

• the helmet of Salvation

• and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God

You reach out and pick those items up and put them on yourself. Galatians 3:28 says that whether you are male or female does not matter, all are in Christ. So this armor will fit you as well as it fits any other Christian. This armor isn't too heavy to wear all day, the burdens God gives you to carry are light and easy (Matt. 11:29-30).

See yourself standing there protected by these things, from head to toe. You are ready for battle.

Watch a warrior woman in action

In Proverbs 31:10-31 we are given a description of the way battle looks for a woman who fears the Lord (Prov. 31:30). Because she is protected and empowered by the word of God there is no need for bullying, harsh words, or tearing down of others.

• Her husband trusts her because she does him good and not evil every day. Their children will praise her when they are old enough to tell others of the way their mother has been with them. Her husband will speak words of praise to her and about her.

• Because she is strong is the Word she is able to spend her days interacting with others, always sharing wisdom, always teaching kindness.

• Because she has chosen the clothing of the Word, she is prepared to share the strength and dignity that come with it towards others. Her work allows them to choose and make use of the same clothing.

• She is wise because the Word is wrapped around her, so she sees that caring for the needy and the poor does far more than only caring for their physical needs. She has considered the future, for herself and those around her, and sought to be as prepared for what comes as she can.

This warrior woman fights against cold and hunger. She fights the ugliness of the world by bringing beauty, dignity, and wisdom to benefit all with whom she comes in contact. She has built a world where those in her family not only have confidence in her, but she has instilled confidence within them so they may go about doing what is theirs to do.

Three examples of Warrior Women

Jael, in Judges 4:17-24, was at home, keeping house, while a war was going on in the country around her. But she had her armor on. She was ready for what came through her door. Jael met Sisera, the commander of the enemy's army, at her door. She offered him food and a place to lie down and rest. Once he was asleep, she picked up a tent-peg and a hammer and killed him. Jael didn't need to leave home to earn the respect of the people around her. Jael didn't need to go looking for a war to fight. She was exactly where she was supposed to be. She is remembered through the ages because of it.

Abigail, in 1 Samuel 25, did not have to go away from home to look for a battle. One was brought to her door by the foolish actions of her husband. But because she already had her armor of the word of God on, she was ready when her servants alerted her to the danger. She went out and met David, God's anointed King over Israel, and prevented him from destroying Nabal and all that was his. Abigail used her intellect and spoke respectfully to David. She knew God's word and knew what God had promised to David. She dealt with David as a woman doing what was hers to do.

Tamar, David's daughter (2 Sam. 13:1-23), showed the same example as the woman in Proverbs 31. She did not hesitate to care for her brother, Amnon, when she was told he was ill. Amnon had evil in his heart toward Tamar, although he mistook that evil for love. When Tamar became aware of Amnon's intentions, her armor was ready. She stood up to Amnon and reminded him of what was right. Amnon ignored her words and forced himself upon her. Even though he had committed this evil against her, Tamar again stood up to Amnon. He had not taken her armor away! While recognizing the loss of something precious, she still stood up and reminded Amnon what the right thing to do would be. Her fear and grief did not cause her to shed her protective armor.

Housewife/Mother/Woman = Warrior Woman

Being a keeper at home, a housewife, is the battle you were created for. The keeper of your man's esteem, protecting your children through the love and care of training and nurturing, being wise with the household income and doing your part to keep the family fed, clothed, and housed are all HUGE things. Taking a job outside of the home so that the home can survive IS being a keeper of the home. Likewise, turning down a job outside of the home when the money isn't needed but your hands are needed at home IS being a keeper of the home.

God's word shows women wearing all sorts of "hats": shepherdess, judge of a nation, entrepreneur, Queen, mother, wife, sister, killing the enemy, protecting family from coming invasion, rich women, poor women, single women. All of them exhibit a woman who wears the armor of God as a mighty warrior without needing to "leave" home. Being a woman - feminine, gentle, and submissive - is NOT contrary to being a warrior. Those are the ways in which we are warriors.

So, I would encourage you, the next time you or someone else tries to tell you that you are "only a housewife", bring up your mental image of your having put on that armor. Go back to God's word and remind yourself of what all it takes to be "only a housewife". The work is complex and varied. It's not just physical work, but also emotional and psychological. It's all-encompassing - for you and for those for whom you benefit. A housewife is seeking to build strong foundations, shore up walls of protection, and securing a strong cover to keep Satan's worst out.

Can you see her? Can you picture that warrior woman who is inside of you? If your armor is feeling a bit weak, or you are missing a few pieces, I have a fabulous book for you to read...the Bible. Begin on page one, the book called Genesis.

Enjoy!

PS - if you would like a directed study for building up your armor as a warrior woman, check out "To Be a Handmaid of the Lord"

Share your thoughts below - does the military essence of the original word go against our feminine characteristics?