Angry Women

When I was a little girl, in order to discourage my ever wanting to smoke cigarettes, my mother pointed out women who were smoking and looked hardened and wrinkled. They had yellow places on their fingers. She would say things like, "A lady doesn't smoke. It doesn't make her look pretty." I would nod my head in agreement. The women she referred to me certainly weren't pretty. It made this impression: ladies don't smoke.

The truth is, back in those days, most women acted like ladies. They were graceful, kind, knew how to sit, walk, and talk. They were dedicated to their families. They loved children.

I think we've lost something today. Sure, there are lots of family-loving women all over the world. A lot of them act lady-like, too.

But, the face of womanhood is changing. And, it isn't a pretty face. I see angry, shouting, confrontational women. I see women who think they're owed the protagonist part, the CEO position, and leadership—just because society wants more women in these roles. They are aggressive, mean, and bitter. They wear ugly clothing and march through major cities, shouting blasphemies. They brag about killing their own babies. They are so angry.

We shouldn't expect any society to be biblical. The world system will always fly in the face of God's Word. Christians are supposed to live in the world but not be like it. Christian women should follow God's ideas about womanhood before mimicking the negative examples around them.

So, what is God's ideal?

• Strength and honor. Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come (Proverbs 31:25).
• Wisdom and kind words. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness (Proverbs 31:26).
• Homemaker and industrious. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness (Proverbs 31:27).
• Adorned with a controlled, quiet spirit. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price (1 Peter 3:3-4).
• Trusting in God, submissive to her husband. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands (1 Peter 3:5).
• A mother who instructs her children. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother (Proverbs 1:8).

Has society gotten away from these values? Sadly, yes.

Should we despair? Absolutely not. We can be a testimony in this world. We can be godly women instead of angry ones. Be encouraged today by these verses:

• For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness (1 Corinthians 3:19).
• For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation (lifestyle) in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward (2 Corinthians 1:12, Paul speaking).
• But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world (Galatians 6:14).
• That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world (Philippians 2:15).

I love what Jesus says about this subject:

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,

I am the light of the world:

he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,

but shall have the light of life (John 8:12).

These things I have spoken unto you,

that in me ye might have peace.

In the world ye shall have tribulation:

but be of good cheer;

I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

God bless all you Christian ladies today.