May 5th, 2026
by Kelsi Carnes
by Kelsi Carnes
Clothed Without Fear
Scripture: Proverbs 31:25
“She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Devotional:
I have literally never met a mom who is not worried about something—her husband, her children, her finances, what to cook the next day, and the list goes on. As moms, we all have our constant concerns that seem to follow us closer than our own shadow. That’s why Proverbs 31:25 has always been a complete mystery to me. If this chapter is the outline of a Biblically ideal wife and mother, why does this laughing “without fear of the future” seem so unrealistic?
The Greek word in this passage that translates into the phrase “to laugh at” is “śāhaq.” It’s particular use in this Scripture literally means to deride or to mock. So, not only are moms supposed to not worry, but we are supposed to look at our future with such confidence to say, “you want a piece of me?” Does that really sound like momming as we know it? I cannot tell you a single time my coffee perked me up enough to have that attitude toward the day.
However, while I have spent so much time stuck on the latter half of this verse, wondering how in the world I was going to find the confidence of the Proverbs 31 woman, I have conveniently ignored the first half—what she’s wearing. This woman isn’t just out here saying “nana nana boo-boo” to the future for the fun of it. This confidence doesn’t come from within herself. First, she has to clothe herself. And this isn’t just a “get up and throw something on” kind of clothing. She has to consciously choose to dress herself in two things: strength and dignity. And that conscious choice of garment is the ingredient of intentionality that allows her to laugh without fear of the future.
Neither of these qualities come from the cute outfit she puts together or the makeup that gives her the self-confidence to walk out of the house or the super-cute new shoes that make her legs look several inches longer. Strength and dignity come from battling mental beat-downs and choosing to get back up again each time. They come from fighting the enemy tooth and nail and wearing the scars to prove it. They come from fending off spiritual and physical attacks on her family with a type of intercession that only the heart of a Godly mother can experience. They come from leaning into God when she can no longer stand on her own and allowing His strength to be made perfect in her weakness.
Laughing without fear of the future does not mean that the Proverbs 31 woman does not have her worries, concerns, anxieties, or even straight up fears. It means she can look tomorrow in the eye and know that, with God’s help, she can make it through another day victorious. It means that, time and again, God has proven Himself faithful to her and she knows that, no matter what, He will always come through. It means that she knows the absolute best way she can take care of her family is to show them what it means to fully trust in Jehovah Jireh, her. Provider (Genesis 22:14); Jehovah Rophe, her Healer (Exodus 15:26); Jehovah Nissi, her Banner (Exodus 17:15); Jehovah Shalom, her Peace (Judges 6:24); Jehovah Rohi, her Shepherd (Psalms 23); and Jehovah Shammah, her Lord Who is There (Ezekiel 48:35).
A Godly mother is not one who never worries. A Godly mother is not one who has it all together all of the time. A Godly mother is one that, despite her worries, chooses to take off her own thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and clothe herself in the strength and dignity that can only come from God. And this clothing allows her to face tomorrow without fear, knowing that God holds her family’s tomorrow.
Scripture: Proverbs 31:25
“She is clothed in strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.”
Devotional:
I have literally never met a mom who is not worried about something—her husband, her children, her finances, what to cook the next day, and the list goes on. As moms, we all have our constant concerns that seem to follow us closer than our own shadow. That’s why Proverbs 31:25 has always been a complete mystery to me. If this chapter is the outline of a Biblically ideal wife and mother, why does this laughing “without fear of the future” seem so unrealistic?
The Greek word in this passage that translates into the phrase “to laugh at” is “śāhaq.” It’s particular use in this Scripture literally means to deride or to mock. So, not only are moms supposed to not worry, but we are supposed to look at our future with such confidence to say, “you want a piece of me?” Does that really sound like momming as we know it? I cannot tell you a single time my coffee perked me up enough to have that attitude toward the day.
However, while I have spent so much time stuck on the latter half of this verse, wondering how in the world I was going to find the confidence of the Proverbs 31 woman, I have conveniently ignored the first half—what she’s wearing. This woman isn’t just out here saying “nana nana boo-boo” to the future for the fun of it. This confidence doesn’t come from within herself. First, she has to clothe herself. And this isn’t just a “get up and throw something on” kind of clothing. She has to consciously choose to dress herself in two things: strength and dignity. And that conscious choice of garment is the ingredient of intentionality that allows her to laugh without fear of the future.
Neither of these qualities come from the cute outfit she puts together or the makeup that gives her the self-confidence to walk out of the house or the super-cute new shoes that make her legs look several inches longer. Strength and dignity come from battling mental beat-downs and choosing to get back up again each time. They come from fighting the enemy tooth and nail and wearing the scars to prove it. They come from fending off spiritual and physical attacks on her family with a type of intercession that only the heart of a Godly mother can experience. They come from leaning into God when she can no longer stand on her own and allowing His strength to be made perfect in her weakness.
Laughing without fear of the future does not mean that the Proverbs 31 woman does not have her worries, concerns, anxieties, or even straight up fears. It means she can look tomorrow in the eye and know that, with God’s help, she can make it through another day victorious. It means that, time and again, God has proven Himself faithful to her and she knows that, no matter what, He will always come through. It means that she knows the absolute best way she can take care of her family is to show them what it means to fully trust in Jehovah Jireh, her. Provider (Genesis 22:14); Jehovah Rophe, her Healer (Exodus 15:26); Jehovah Nissi, her Banner (Exodus 17:15); Jehovah Shalom, her Peace (Judges 6:24); Jehovah Rohi, her Shepherd (Psalms 23); and Jehovah Shammah, her Lord Who is There (Ezekiel 48:35).
A Godly mother is not one who never worries. A Godly mother is not one who has it all together all of the time. A Godly mother is one that, despite her worries, chooses to take off her own thoughts, feelings, and emotions, and clothe herself in the strength and dignity that can only come from God. And this clothing allows her to face tomorrow without fear, knowing that God holds her family’s tomorrow.
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