Women of Influence Are Far From Lazy
18 Jan 2010
She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27 NKJV
People can be difficult to live with. It’s easy to look the other way or pretend everything is okay when it is not. The idleness spoken of here is about failing to do what’s healthy and right in our relationships. The Proverbs 31 Woman knows what to do. She knows everything going on in her household. If a conflict arises, she springs into action. If someone’s feelings are hurt, she aids those involved to resolve their issue in a godly manner.
The imagery used “bread of idleness” helps us understand how doing nothing about a strained relationship can be satisfying in a warped kind of way. For bread satisfies. Depending on the type of bread, it can either be healthy or not so healthy. Take wheat bread for example. It’s supposed to be better for you than white bread. The bread of idleness is like an unhealthy type of bread we should avoid. What happens when we eat unhealthy bread? Nothing happens, at least right away. The consequences of a bad diet don’t exhibit themselves immediately. No, the problems arise later.
It’s the same with relationships. You can go along your merry way pretending all is well in your relationship. Ten years later find yourself, bitter and filled with resentment. That’s what the bread of idleness with do. So let’s learn from Proverbs 31 Woman and watch over our households by not eating the bread of idleness.
Lord Jesus, you alone cause all things to work for good to those who love you and are called according to your purposes. Help us to steer clear of the bread of idleness. Teach us to watch over our households diligently. In your precious name we pray, Amen.
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©Elizabeth Marks has led small group Bible studies for almost a decade. Author of ThinkOnItBibleDevotions.com and BeingWomenOfInfluence.com websites she has a heart for encouraging others with God’s Word.
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