Your Cart is Empty
One of my favorite descriptions and pictures of the Proverbs 31 woman is that of her watching over her family and home: “She watches over the ways of her household” (verse 27). As wives, mothers, and homemakers, we wear many hats as we discharge our duties at home. And there’s no doubt that one of our most important duties is that of a “watchwoman.”
Just as the walls of the ancient cities were dotted with watchmen who guarded the towns 24 hours a day against hostile action, we too faithfully and carefully guard our children from harmful influences and sound a warning to our husbands when we feel the family is threatened.
Paul watched too. He checked on and encouraged the people who attended the churches under his charge. In fact, when Paul listed his sufferings for the cause of Christ, he ended his list by stating that “besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches” (2 Corinthians 11:28). He worried about false teachers promoting ungodliness.
As we pray against the ungodly influences that could cast darkness over our families, our children, and our hearts, what can we watch for? Look for three bright stars produced by sound, biblical teaching in 1 Timothy 1:6-7— "Some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm":
Don’t you want to learn and grow so you can understand the doctrines of the Christian faith better? So you can teach them to your children and help others? You can start by studying the Bible, attending Bible-study classes, and memorizing Scripture.
Keep watch over your spiritual well-being so you can help your family and friends distinguish light from dark.
RESPOND
Dear Lord, my attention gets caught up in daily needs and tasks so easily. Paul reminds me to scan the horizon and pay attention to the influences around my family and me. Give me a heart of discernment so I can watch for those who teach Your light and avoid those who don’t. Amen.
RENEWING RESOURCES 
A Woman After God’s Own Heartby Elizabeth George—As you embrace God's plans for you, you will find real purpose in a life of prayer and practicing God's priorities as you become A Woman After God's Own Heart®.
REFLECT
Schedule time in each day to study God’s Word. Make a plan to memorize Scripture—it is the sword of the Spirit!
REMEMBER
As wives and mothers and homemakers, we wear many hats as we discharge our duties at home. And there’s no doubt that one of our most important duties is that of a “watchwoman.”
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
When something difficult happens in your life, are you ever tempted to ask, “What good could come out of this?” The event looks like a disaster. It feels like a disaster. Therefore, we quickly conclude, it is a disaster! But God did not forget His people who were suffering in Babylon. And, my friend, He won’t forget you!
Too many times in the past I’ve told others “I’m fine” in order to hide my pain and sorrows from them. The truth is, my thoughts pulled me down so far that, in private, tears regularly streamed down my face. Are you constantly thinking negative thoughts? Being a woman after God’s own heart is all about “minding your mind.”
As a young mother, I endeavored to “train a child in the way he should go,” so that “when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). A decade later, however, I wasn’t reaping the results I had expected. Angrily, I said to God, “But this isn’t the way it was supposed to be! This isn’t the way it went for this family here or that family over there. And this isn’t the way it was supposed to be for my family!”