7 Practices in Pursuit of Godly Femininity

Godly femininity is a beautiful and powerful thing, and as Christian women, it is important for us to cultivate and embrace this aspect of our identity. But what does it mean to be a Godly woman, and how can we actively work to become more feminine in a way that honors God?

Godly femininity is the embodiment of feminine virtues and characteristics as modeled by Jesus Christ and outlined in the Bible. It is not just about being demure or submissive, but rather about embodying the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) and living a life that brings glory to God.

Proverbs 31 is a passage that is often referred to when discussing femininity and Godliness. In Proverbs 31, we see an excellent example of a Godly woman: "She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.She makes bed coverings for herself; She is clothed in fine linen and purple. She makes fine linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates." (Proverbs 31:20-31)

In this passage, we see the celebration of a woman who is strong, capable, and virtuous. She takes care of her family, manages her household well, serves her community,  and even engages in business ventures. She is a woman of noble character who seeks to honor God in all that she does.

So, how can we cultivate our femininity in a way that honors God? Here are a few practical steps:

1. Seeking to grow in our faith and relationship with God. This is the foundation of Godly femininity. We must spend time in prayer, reading & studying the Bible, and seeking out Godly mentors who can encourage and guide us. As Proverbs 31 notes, a Godly woman has wisdom and speaks with kindness. We can seek out opportunities to grow in our knowledge and understanding of God's word, and actively work to develop a heart of kindness towards others. (Psalm 119:105)

2. Taking care of ourselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. This includes taking care of our physical health through healthy habits such as exercise and proper nutrition, as well as taking care of our mental and emotional well-being through self-care practices like rest and relaxation. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

3. Practicing gratitude and contentment. This means being thankful for the blessings that God has given us and finding joy in the simple things of life. It also means being content with what we have and not constantly striving for more. As Philippians 4:11-12 says, "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need."

Gratitude and contentment go hand in hand, as it is hard to be grateful for what we have if we are constantly discontent in wanting more. By focusing on what we have rather than what we lack, and stewarding those things well, we can cultivate a heart of thankfulness and joy and we also create space to receive more from God. This is a key aspect of Godly femininity, as it shows that we are trusting in God and His provisions for our lives.

4. Embracing our unique qualities and gifts. God has created each woman with her own unique traits and qualities (Romans 12:6-8). We should embrace these gifts and use them to serve Him and others. As 1 Peter 4:10 says, "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." By using our gifts and talents to serve and glorify God, we can be a light to those around us and model what it means to be a Godly woman. Another important element is embracing and celebrating the unique qualities and gifts that come with being a woman. This might mean finding ways to dress and groom ourselves in a manner that reflects our feminine identity, or simply taking pride in the roles and responsibilities that come with being a woman. 

5. Practicing gentleness and grace. We should seek to be gentle and kind in our words and actions, even in difficult situations. Remember that our beauty comes from within, and that a gentle and quiet spirit is of great worth in God's sight (1 Peter 3:3-4). Our gentleness and grace begins with how we treat ourselves and, with practice, extends outward to those around us.

6. Cultivating a heart of humility & service.  This means putting the needs of others before our own and being willing to serve and help others, just as Jesus did. As Mark 10:45 says, "For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." By following Jesus' example of servant leadership, we can model Godly femininity. This can be seen manifest in 2 primary areas: taking care of our families and serving our communities. 

• Taking care of our families. Whether we are married with children or single, we can look for ways to serve and support our families. This could be through acts of service, such as cooking meals or helping with household tasks or through actively seeking to be a supportive and loving presence in the lives of our loved ones.  
• Serving our communities: A Godly woman is not just focused on her own family, but also looks to ways she can serve her community. Matthew 25:40 says, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me." Our service could be through volunteering at a local non-profit organization, participating in a ministry at church, or simply offering a helping hand to a neighbor in need.

Ultimately, cultivating a heart of humility and service requires a willingness to surrender our own desires and ambitions to God and to trust in His sovereignty and plan for our lives.. As we seek to live out these virtues, we can have confidence that God will use us to bring glory to His name and to bless the lives of those around us.

7. Developing self-control and discipline. Lastly, cultivating femininity involves developing self-control and discipline. This means making choices that honor God, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable. It also means being proactive in managing our time and our lives in a way that brings glory to God. As 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

Self-control and discipline are important qualities for all Christians to cultivate, and they are especially important for women as we strive to live lives reflective of Christ’s character.

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Incorporating these practices into our daily lives can help us cultivate femininity in a way that honors God and brings Him glory. It takes discipline and commitment, but it is certainly worth it!

As you seek to cultivate your femininity, it is important to remember that we are all at different stages in our journey. Some of us may feel like we are thriving in our femininity, while others may feel like we have a long way to go. No matter where you are on your journey, know that God is with you and He is faithful to help you grow in your femininity and in your relationship with Him.

It can also be of great benefit to seek out Godly mentors, friends, or a community of believers who can encourage and support you as you seek to grow in your faith and in your femininity.

This week, take some time to reflect: Are there areas where you feel like you could grow or areas where you feel like you are thriving? During this time, pray and ask God to guide you as you seek to honor Him in your femininity. 

Today, I encourage you to take a few minutes to identify where you feel you are in exercising each of these 7 practices.  Identify 1 way you are living out each of these and if you find there is one you aren’t quite hitting, make a goal to do one thing every day for the next week to strengthen that area.  As you implement it, track how you begin to see things shifting from within or around you and come back and let us know below. Every big shift or transformation in our lives begins with the first action we commit to making a change with & I encourage you to make that commitment today.