The Deepest Motivator for a True Proverbs 31 Woman (and the Results)
The Deepest Motivator for a True Proverbs 31 Woman (and the Results)
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13 November 2025
When most of us think of the Proverbs 31 woman, we picture the epitome of grace and productivity—wise, kind, entrepreneurial, grounded in faith, and steady in her home. She’s the woman we secretly (or not so secretly) want to be when we grow up.
But if you’ve ever read Proverbs 31 and felt like you fall short, you’re not alone.
I’ve been there too. In fact, before I ever started teaching on biblical womanhood or mentoring Christian moms in business, I wrestled deeply with feeling unqualified to even speak about this passage.
I’ve learned something powerful through that wrestling: The deepest motivator for a true Proverbs 31 woman is not perfection. It’s the fear of the Lord.
And when that becomes your foundation, everything else—your marriage, your motherhood, your business—begins to align.
The Foundation: Fear of the Lord
Proverbs 31 closes with these words:
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)
That phrase—fear of the Lord—isn’t about being scared of God. It’s about reverence. It’s the deep, humble recognition that He is God, and we are not. It’s acknowledging that every decision we make—how we spend money, how we raise our kids, how we treat our husbands, and how we run our businesses—should flow from one motive: to glorify Him.
Fear of the Lord is the opposite of fear of man. When we fear man, we chase approval, comparison, and performance. When we fear the Lord, we chase obedience, stewardship, and faithfulness.
That’s why the Proverbs 31 woman could live with such calm confidence. Her ambition wasn’t to impress people—it was to please God.
The Resistance Is Real
Before recording this very episode, I faced every form of resistance possible—software glitches, family interruptions, emotional battles, even old feelings of impostor syndrome whispering, “Who do you think you are?”
Maybe you’ve felt that too: the tension between who you want to be and who you feel you are.
If so, take heart. The resistance isn’t proof that you’re failing—it’s proof that you’re stepping into something that matters. Spiritual resistance often shows up right before spiritual impact.
The Framework: Building Your Life on the Right Foundation
Think of your life like a house. The foundation is the fear of the Lord. The frame is your habits, priorities, and disciplines. The roof is the fruit—the visible results of what you’ve built beneath the surface.
When the fear of the Lord is your foundation, it shapes everything:
How you manage your home.
How you speak to your spouse.
How you work and lead.
How you steward your time, money, and energy.
The Proverbs 31 woman’s productivity and success didn’t come from striving—it came from structure. She ordered her life around the right priorities. Her diligence was a response to God’s goodness, not an attempt to earn His favor.
Why the Proverbs 31 Woman Is Praiseworthy
At the end of Proverbs 31, we read:
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her… Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:28, 31)
That word praise appears three times in those closing verses. But here’s the key: She wasn’t working for praise—she was walking in obedience.
The praise was a result, not a goal.
When our motivation is to glorify God, fruit naturally follows—peace in our homes, purpose in our work, prosperity in our endeavors. But when our motivation is to please people, the striving feels endless and exhausting.
God’s way produces diligence that bears fruit. The world’s way produces pressure that drains your soul.
A Modern Reflection: Biblical Ambition Meets Christian Motherhood
In today’s world, Christian mothers wear a lot of hats—wife, mom, business owner, homeschool teacher, chauffeur, chef, nurse, accountant, and friend. It’s easy to feel pulled between spiritual devotion and worldly ambition.
But what if the Proverbs 31 woman isn’t calling us to choose between them? What if she’s showing us how to integrate them?
She was both faithful and fruitful. She cared for her home and contributed to her household income. She worked with her hands and opened them to the poor. She was industrious and worshipful.
That’s the beauty of biblical womanhood—it doesn’t box you in; it sets you free to glorify God with all He’s entrusted to you.
For the Christian Woman in Business
If you’re a Christian businesswoman, the Proverbs 31 woman should be your ultimate role model for entrepreneurship. She didn’t separate her faith from her work. She ran her business with integrity, vision, and excellence—all while keeping her family first.
That balance doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when your motivation is right. When your business becomes a tool for stewardship instead of a source of identity, your results change.
Remember: You’re not working for God’s acceptance—you’re working from it. Your diligence is a response to grace, not a path to earn it.
Reflection Questions
Is fear of the Lord the guiding force behind your decisions—or are you driven by the opinions of others?
In what area of your life (marriage, motherhood, business) do you most need to shift from seeking approval to seeking God’s glory?
How would your daily choices change if your deepest motivator was truly to please the Lord?
Build Your Proverbs 31 Lifestyle
If you’re ready to evaluate where you are and grow in purpose, I created a free Proverbs 31 Self-Assessment Quiz to help you discover your strengths and next steps. It’s not about perfection—it’s about intentional progress.
You can find it linked in the show notes of Episode 65: “The Deepest Motivator for a True Proverbs 31 Woman (and the Results)” of the LeadHerShip Podcast.
In that episode, I dive deeper into what it means to build your life on the fear of the Lord and how that foundation transforms every part of your story.
So pour a cup of coffee, grab your notebook, and let’s keep pursuing biblical ambition together—because the world needs more women whose deepest motivation is to glorify God.
HI, I'M BRITTNEY
Mom of six. Business leader. Podcaster.
Aspiring Proverbs 31 woman.
Grab your free
Proverbs 31 Self-Assessment Quiz
Explore a few of our
favorite topics
Want to Build a Business From Home?
I mentor busy mommas through a network marketing business model that lets you build your own business on your own schedule—without having to invent a product or create all your business systems from scratch. You earn commission through your own sales and by helping others succeed, with no income cap, proven success systems, and mentorship already in place.
This may be for you if you:
✨ Want a scalable business with real income potential
✨ Value integrity, personal growth, and biblical principles
✨ Are willing to work consistently (about 10 hours a week)
✨ Value people and relationships
Don’t apply if you:
~Care more about comfort than growth
~Don't care about reaching your potential
~Don't want to be challenged
~Avoid responsibility or accountability
If you’re curious whether this is a good fit, apply for mentorship and we’ll talk it through.
Top Books That Shaped My Biblical Perspective About Money
The exact books that reshaped how I think about money, work, wealth, generosity, and stewardship {from a biblical perspective} with real-life application.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read about our privacy policy.
13 November 2025
When most of us think of the Proverbs 31 woman, we picture the epitome of grace and productivity—wise, kind, entrepreneurial, grounded in faith, and steady in her home. She’s the woman we secretly (or not so secretly) want to be when we grow up.
But if you’ve ever read Proverbs 31 and felt like you fall short, you’re not alone.
I’ve been there too. In fact, before I ever started teaching on biblical womanhood or mentoring Christian moms in business, I wrestled deeply with feeling unqualified to even speak about this passage.
I’ve learned something powerful through that wrestling: The deepest motivator for a true Proverbs 31 woman is not perfection. It’s the fear of the Lord.
And when that becomes your foundation, everything else—your marriage, your motherhood, your business—begins to align.
The Foundation: Fear of the Lord
Proverbs 31 closes with these words:
“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (Proverbs 31:30)
That phrase—fear of the Lord—isn’t about being scared of God. It’s about reverence. It’s the deep, humble recognition that He is God, and we are not. It’s acknowledging that every decision we make—how we spend money, how we raise our kids, how we treat our husbands, and how we run our businesses—should flow from one motive: to glorify Him.
Fear of the Lord is the opposite of fear of man. When we fear man, we chase approval, comparison, and performance. When we fear the Lord, we chase obedience, stewardship, and faithfulness.
That’s why the Proverbs 31 woman could live with such calm confidence. Her ambition wasn’t to impress people—it was to please God.
The Resistance Is Real
Before recording this very episode, I faced every form of resistance possible—software glitches, family interruptions, emotional battles, even old feelings of impostor syndrome whispering, “Who do you think you are?”
Maybe you’ve felt that too: the tension between who you want to be and who you feel you are.
If so, take heart. The resistance isn’t proof that you’re failing—it’s proof that you’re stepping into something that matters. Spiritual resistance often shows up right before spiritual impact.
The Framework: Building Your Life on the Right Foundation
Think of your life like a house. The foundation is the fear of the Lord. The frame is your habits, priorities, and disciplines. The roof is the fruit—the visible results of what you’ve built beneath the surface.
When the fear of the Lord is your foundation, it shapes everything:
How you manage your home.
How you speak to your spouse.
How you work and lead.
How you steward your time, money, and energy.
The Proverbs 31 woman’s productivity and success didn’t come from striving—it came from structure. She ordered her life around the right priorities. Her diligence was a response to God’s goodness, not an attempt to earn His favor.
Why the Proverbs 31 Woman Is Praiseworthy
At the end of Proverbs 31, we read:
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her… Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:28, 31)
That word praise appears three times in those closing verses. But here’s the key: She wasn’t working for praise—she was walking in obedience.
The praise was a result, not a goal.
When our motivation is to glorify God, fruit naturally follows—peace in our homes, purpose in our work, prosperity in our endeavors. But when our motivation is to please people, the striving feels endless and exhausting.
God’s way produces diligence that bears fruit. The world’s way produces pressure that drains your soul.
A Modern Reflection: Biblical Ambition Meets Christian Motherhood
In today’s world, Christian mothers wear a lot of hats—wife, mom, business owner, homeschool teacher, chauffeur, chef, nurse, accountant, and friend. It’s easy to feel pulled between spiritual devotion and worldly ambition.
But what if the Proverbs 31 woman isn’t calling us to choose between them? What if she’s showing us how to integrate them?
She was both faithful and fruitful. She cared for her home and contributed to her household income. She worked with her hands and opened them to the poor. She was industrious and worshipful.
That’s the beauty of biblical womanhood—it doesn’t box you in; it sets you free to glorify God with all He’s entrusted to you.
For the Christian Woman in Business
If you’re a Christian businesswoman, the Proverbs 31 woman should be your ultimate role model for entrepreneurship. She didn’t separate her faith from her work. She ran her business with integrity, vision, and excellence—all while keeping her family first.
That balance doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when your motivation is right. When your business becomes a tool for stewardship instead of a source of identity, your results change.
Remember: You’re not working for God’s acceptance—you’re working from it. Your diligence is a response to grace, not a path to earn it.
Reflection Questions
Is fear of the Lord the guiding force behind your decisions—or are you driven by the opinions of others?
In what area of your life (marriage, motherhood, business) do you most need to shift from seeking approval to seeking God’s glory?
How would your daily choices change if your deepest motivator was truly to please the Lord?
Build Your Proverbs 31 Lifestyle
If you’re ready to evaluate where you are and grow in purpose, I created a free Proverbs 31 Self-Assessment Quiz to help you discover your strengths and next steps. It’s not about perfection—it’s about intentional progress.
You can find it linked in the show notes of Episode 65: “The Deepest Motivator for a True Proverbs 31 Woman (and the Results)” of the LeadHerShip Podcast.
In that episode, I dive deeper into what it means to build your life on the fear of the Lord and how that foundation transforms every part of your story.
So pour a cup of coffee, grab your notebook, and let’s keep pursuing biblical ambition together—because the world needs more women whose deepest motivation is to glorify God.
HI, I'M BRITTNEY
Mom of six. Business leader. Podcaster.
Aspiring Proverbs 31 woman.
Grab your free
Proverbs 31 Self-Assessment Quiz
Explore a few of our
favorite topics
Want to Build a Business From Home?
I mentor busy mommas through a network marketing business model that lets you build your own business on your own schedule—without having to invent a product or create all your business systems from scratch. You earn commission through your own sales and by helping others succeed, with no income cap, proven success systems, and mentorship already in place.
This may be for you if you:
✨ Want a scalable business with real income potential
✨ Value integrity, personal growth, and biblical principles
✨ Are willing to work consistently (about 10 hours a week)
✨ Value people and relationships
Don’t apply if you:
~Care more about comfort than growth
~Don't care about reaching your potential
~Don't want to be challenged
~Avoid responsibility or accountability
If you’re curious whether this is a good fit, apply for mentorship and we’ll talk it through.
Top Books That Shaped My Biblical Perspective About Money
The exact books that reshaped how I think about money, work, wealth, generosity, and stewardship {from a biblical perspective} with real-life application.
I’m Brittney Howard - wife, mom of six, and business mentor for Christian women who want to provide for their families without sacrificing presence at home. Years ago, I was studying the Proverbs 31 woman and was struck by how industrious she was - how she used her wisdom and business savvy to bless her family financially. I wanted to be like that.
The problem? I had zero business experience, no career background, and as an introvert living in a tiny country town, I barely knew anyone. I tried and failed at several things before discovering network marketing - a business model that gave me products I believed in, skills I could learn, and mentors to guide me. Over time, I built not only a thriving business but also the confidence and leadership to help other women do the same. Now I mentor ambitious Christian moms to build six-figure network marketing businesses on biblical principles, without manipulation, without hustle, and without sacrificing their faith or family.
Here’s what I believe:
• The world says strive → God says surrender.
• The world says hurry → God says walk faithfully.
• The world says achieve → God says be fruitful.
• The world says hustle harder → God says be diligent.
I believe profit is simply the reward for serving people well. I believe diligence honors God more than hustle. And I believe that when we build our businesses faithfully, the fruit of it impacts generations.
Welcome to where
Ready to feel yourself again?
I’m Brittney Howard - wife, mom of six, and business mentor for Christian women who want to provide for their families without sacrificing presence at home. Years ago, I was studying the Proverbs 31 woman and was struck by how industrious she was - how she used her wisdom and business savvy to bless her family financially. I wanted to be like that.
The problem? I had zero business experience, no career background, and as an introvert living in a tiny country town, I barely knew anyone. I tried and failed at several things before discovering network marketing - a business model that gave me products I believed in, skills I could learn, and mentors to guide me. Over time, I built not only a thriving business but also the confidence and leadership to help other women do the same. Now I mentor ambitious Christian moms to build six-figure network marketing businesses on biblical principles, without manipulation, without hustle, and without sacrificing their faith or family.
Here’s what I believe:
• The world says strive → God says surrender.
• The world says hurry → God says walk faithfully.
• The world says achieve → God says be fruitful.
• The world says hustle harder → God says be diligent.
I believe profit is simply the reward for serving people well. I believe diligence honors God more than hustle. And I believe that when we build our businesses faithfully, the fruit of it impacts generations.
Welcome to where
How Can I Best Serve You in This Season?
I want simple gut health support that helps me care for my body faithfully and build consistent, sustainable habits.
I want to start a network marketing business that bears fruit and be mentored to grow it with skill and integrity.
I have a network marketing business and I want biblical wisdom to guide how I lead and grow it.
How Can I Best Serve You in This Season?
I want simple gut health support that helps me care for my body faithfully and build consistent, sustainable habits.
I want to start a network marketing business that bears fruit and be mentored to grow it with skill and integrity.
I have a network marketing business and I want biblical wisdom to guide how I lead and grow it.
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