Wise Women Build

The wise woman builds her house,But the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

Proverbs 14:1 (NKJV)

The wise woman builds. To build is to construct. It is a constructive process, taking parts and pieces, fitting them together. To build up is to make strong and healthy. But to tear down is to break down, beat down, destroy, and ruin.

Wise or foolish, a builder or tearer? The question is for each of us. Who are we? And then, who do we really want to be? This applies to married women and single women, moms and grandmas, old and young. Your house is your life, your home, relationships, integrity, your purpose for living, your life in Christ, and your testimony for Christ. As I wrote these things down, I thought, Wow, these are the important things.

Piece by piece I had to honestly ask myself the questions, Have I chipped away by neglecting an important relationship or letting a little hurt linger? Have I been foolish or stubborn or lazy? Have I allowed something in my heart to linger that I know is not good or healthy or pleasing to God?

Two pictures, two end results. Each involves not just one big choice, but a thousand little, daily choices. So, child of God, to be wise or to be foolish? That is the question. And the wonderful thing is, we get to choose.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

Some women make the tragic mistake of tearing down their children’s father to them or in front of them. They don’t see how this tears down the child’s own sense of worth. Recently a man in our church was told by his daughter that he was not invited to her wedding. Although the parents have been divorced twenty-five years, her mom refused to let him walk the bride down the aisle or even attend the ceremony. This decision was selfish and foolish.

Let me ask you a question: Are you tearing down your house? If you are, right now is the best time to pause and take it to God.

Let’s Pray

Lord, please forgive me for the ways I have been selfish and foolish and for the times I have torn down. I know you can restore the years the locusts have eaten (see Joel 2:25), so please help me to build and redeem.

One Year Bible Reading

Judges 2:10–3:31; Luke 22:14-34; Psalm 92:1–93:5; Proverbs 14:1-2