A Good Wife

A wife's mission of fulfilling God’s pattern for goodness in marriage is empowered by Him when we plan and practice goodness. 

Plan to Do Good

A wise proverb says, “Do they not go astray who devise evil? But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good” (Proverbs 14:22). Sharing his insights into this verse, a visiting preacher at my church pointed to Adolf Hitler, the Nazi leader who masterminded the murder of six million Jews. He noted that Hitler “devised evil,” that he planned evil, as meticulously as a bride plans her wedding. 

A Good Wife Plans Good

You and I can choose to plan for good or plan for evil, but as God’s beautiful women we are called to do good! So make it your goal to set sail today—and every day—on a course of doing your husband good all day long. 

Practice your plan—Don’t be content with merely planning to do good. Follow through on your good intentions! Put your plan to work. Hopefully, the following ABCs will help your spring of goodness to gush. 

Some ABCs of Goodness 

AAlways contribute spiritually. Don’t discourage your husband about God’s plans as Job’s wife did (Job 2:9).

BBless his name. Allow “the law of kindness” (Proverbs 31:26) to rule your words whenever you talk about your husband.

CControl your spending. Be sensitive to the family’s financial situation.

DDiscipline, raise, and train his children. Proverbs 31 is the faithful teaching of a godly mother to her husband’s child.

EEncourage his dreams. Fan the flames of his personal aspirations.

FFollow his leadership. Eve brought sorrow of heart to her man—and to the world—by not following him. 

GGive your husband the joy of a happy home. Don’t be the contentious, brawling wife of Proverbs 19:13.

HHabitually exhibit a steady, predictable, even-keeled nature. Be sure there’s no Dr. Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde in your home! 

IIndulge in praising him. A goodword makes a heavy heart glad (Proverbs 12:25). Let your mouth be a spring of goodness!

JJoin him in sexual pleasure. Rejoice his heart and satisfy him “at all times” (Proverbs 5:18-19).

KKeep up your spiritual growth. Seeking the Lord regularly is the best way to contribute goodness to your husband.

LLook not at what others have. Be content—and delighted—with your husband’s provision for you.

MMake prayer a part of your ministry to your husband. Nothing creates a deeper spring of goodness in a heart!

NNow try your hand and heart at finishing this alphabet of goodness! Refer to it daily—and, of course, do it! 

Just a note here. I know that Proverbs 31:12 refers to the husband mentioned in verse 11, making its application obvious for married women. But Proverbs 31:10-31 is every bit as much a description of a single woman as it is a married woman. Remember that the young man hearing these instructions from his mother was single, and he will be seeking these virtues in an unmarried woman! Clearly, God’s goal for all of His women—married or single—is that we be a perpetual spring of goodness!

RESPOND

Dear Lord, I’m relying on Your grace to show goodness to my husband—and then to others—as I go about my day. Thank You for Your Word and Your Spirit that guide me. Amen.

RENEWING RESOURCES 

Beautiful in God’s Eyes—Explore the timeless wisdom of Proverbs 31as you become a woman who desires to honor God in all that she says and does.

REFLECT
Fill in the rest of the alphabet of goodness above. Keep a copy close by as a gentle reminder.

REMEMBER

God’s goal for all of His women—married or single—is that we be a perpetual spring of goodness!