Laughing at Life

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25

Proverbs 31 is known as the chapter giving a description of the "virtuous woman" or "wife of noble character," depending on your translation. Although I'm not a wife, I certainly hope to be one someday, and even today I can put to use most of the qualities listed in this passage.

Lately I've been pondering verse 25, particularly the phrase, "she can laugh at the days to come." I have a great sense of humor and love to laugh, but I don't think this verse means that the virtuous woman busts a gut laughing every day (although that wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing). Rather, I think it suggests that she doesn't take herself or life so seriously that she can't enjoy it. Knowing that God is providing for her, taking care of her and her family's every need, she is able to relax and not worry about what tomorrow will bring.

This woman isn't sitting back on the couch and absolving herself of any responsibility. If you read the rest of Proverbs 31, you'll see that she's a pretty busy woman, taking care of her husband and children, her household and her business ventures. But her trust in God, her fear of God, enables her to meet challenges head on.

I can often laugh at yesterday, but it takes a lot more effort to laugh at the days to come. I am learning (although very slowly at times!) to take God more seriously and to take myself and life much less so.