If you’re familiar with the Old Testament, you’ve probably heard of the ‘mighty men of valor’. Different men and families are listed countless times throughout the early Old Testament books, and are made especially renowned by David, who had a few MMV’s that went into the enemy’s camp to get him water…which he then poured out before the Lord because of their great sacrifice (2 Sam.23:8-16). Undoubtedly, when we think of these men, we think of brute strength, honor and power. But, where are the mighty women?

Throughout the Old Testament, we read about some awesome women: Esther, Ruth, Abigail, and Deborah to name a few. But what about the prestigious title of ‘mighty woman of valor’? Where can that be found?

Look no further than the description we’ve read countless times: Proverbs 31.

It’s interesting to me that we live in a society (within the church!) which views stay at home wives/moms as weak and uneducated…that choosing to make God-given responsibilities (Titus 2:5) your priority makes you somehow lesser than those who choose to work outside of the home. It’s interesting, and it’s sad, because we view the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31 as someone to look up to, and yet sometimes classify her as weak or an ‘ideal’ that somehow puts the image of Stepford Wives in our head. Today, I want to tell you, that’s not at all who the virtuous woman is.

The virtuous woman IS the mighty woman of valor. Don’t believe me? Look up the original Hebrew word translated ‘virtuous’. It’s the same word that is translated in that phrase mighty men of ‘valor‘. And do you know what that word is defined as? – “Strength, wealth, army” (Strongs).  Weak? Not hardly. Uneducated? Absolutely not. Powerful and strong? Completely.

Strength is what makes a woman willingly stay home when she has the brain power to go out and earn all kinds of money. Strength is what gets a woman through countless loads of laundry, meal-planning, and housework every day. Strength is a woman biting her tongue when she disagrees with a decision her husband has made because she knows her place within God’s design for the home. Power is a woman who shapes the minds of her own children, and leads them to faithfulness. 

When you read through the characteristics mentioned in Proverbs 31, it all makes sense. This woman does appear to be Super Woman! But, instead of a lame super hero moniker, let’s simply call her what she is: a mighty woman of valor. An example that all of us should strive to imitate, and a God-given role that we should never, ever let anyone make us feel bad about.

Are you a stay-at-home wife or mom? Today I want to commend you for being a mighty woman of valor! Are you homeschooling your kids even though you’re receiving flack and ridicule from others? Just remember, you’re a mighty woman of valor. Are you a woman who works outside of the home AND takes care of all of the responsibilities at home? You are truly an example of a mighty woman of valor! Instead of feeling weak and insecure, let’s all feel empowered (by Christ) to do anything and everything that comes our way (Phil. 4:13).