Thursday, February 18, 2010

Self-Esteem Makeover Challenge - Week 4 Day 4



For building day today, we are focusing on hands. Hands? Yep, hands. Our hands can help or hinder us… and no, I’m not talking about your nail polish or length of your finger nails.

We will start with the negative. Proverbs 14:1 says, “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” This verse pretty much hits on both points, but we are going to start at the rear of this one. Does this say that a foolish woman is one who will stand and tear her actual physical house down? Nope, don’t think so. There are so many ways that you can tear your “house” down. Your house being your family, your life, your relationships, and ultimately your own state of mind. You know, the place where you live.

If we are lazy and we don’t take care of the important things in our lives, then things will start to fall apart. Our husbands, who already work hard, begin to feel that it is their responsibility to take over the housework because we are neglecting it. Then they become bitter, angry and resentful. Then not only does our relationship with him begin to diminish, but everything attached to it as well.

If we do not build up those important things then who will? We must build up our friends, our homes, our families. We must take time each day to build our houses so that they do not crumble in around us and leave us looking like fools.

The wise woman builds her house, not with a hammer and nail, but with love, kindness, creativity, peace, patience and prayer. We are the thermostat for our household, we set the temperature. If you are walking in the Spirit, your family will follow.

This pretty much leads us to the next verse I would like to reference. Proverbs 31:20, “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.” Does this mean people who are monetarily poor and needy? Yes, but it means so much more. It also is talking about those who are in need emotionally and spiritually. Sometimes that is you, my friend. If it is, don’t feel bad about reaching out to a Godly friend and letting them know you have a need. If it is your friend, husband, child or co-worker, let them know that you are there for them, reach out your hand to them and do your very best to be Christ’s hand in their time of need.

Pray that God would reveal to you your influence on your home. Pray that you would have the desire to make it a sanctuary for your family. Take some time to paint your nails or get a manicure to remind yourself how important your hands are in building your home, both physically and spiritually. When you build your house, you have so much to be thankful for, because God will bless the work of your hands. In doing this, you will have hands folded in prayer of thankfulness for all of your many blessings.

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