Her Children Arise and Call Her Blessed – 7 Powerful Lessons Every Woman Must Learn
Introduction
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:28 (NIV)
The Proverbs 31 woman is more than a poetic description in Scripture. She is a living example of what it means to create a legacy of love, faith, and strength. Her children rise and call her blessed. Her husband publicly praises her. Even her community honors her because her life speaks louder than her words.
But what does this mean for us, especially single women or those who don’t yet have children? Can we also live in such a way that others call us blessed?
The answer is yes. Whether single or married, with children or without, every woman can cultivate a life of faithfulness, kindness, and wisdom that leaves a lasting impact.
Loved Beyond Your Own Household
When Scripture says, “Her children rise and call her blessed,” it goes beyond biological children. Other people’s children, neighbors, nieces, nephews, church kids, or young women you mentor can also call you blessed because of the way you love and nurture them.
I experienced this firsthand when my father once took me to visit his boss’s family and spent about a week there because my mum was out of town. We were poor, but they were incredibly wealthy. I expected to feel out of place in their beautiful home, but to my surprise, they treated me like one of their own.
They placed me in their daughter’s room to sleep in the same space as her. Everything she ate, I ate. Everything she did, I did. They even had nap times and play routines, which were completely foreign to me as a child from a poor background.
I still remember eating meat and taking soft drinks daily in their home, something I only experienced at Christmas back at home. It was a shock to my world. But more than the food, it was the love. I felt safe, included, and seen.
That woman, though she wasn’t my mother, poured into me so deeply that decades later, I still remember her kindness with tears in my eyes. She left an imprint on me that shaped the way I see love and care. To this day, I call her blessed.
When Love Is Absent
But I also know the opposite side of the story. For over two years, I lived with an aunt and her husband, and what I went through nearly cost me my life. From the ages of 17 to 20, I endured emotional, physical, spiritual, and even sexual.
That season broke me. It left me anxious, depressed, and scarred in ways that took years to heal. Instead of love, I received hostility. Instead of nurture, I experienced trauma.
Yet even in that darkness, God planted a seed of hope. One of my aunt’s friends noticed my suffering. She pulled me aside one day and said:
“One day, when you have your own home and people come to stay with you even your husband’s siblings or extended family treat them well. Don’t treat them the way you’ve been treated here.”
Her words pierced my heart. In my pain, I had secretly thought I would one day repeat the same patterns of bitterness and cruelty. But her gentle counsel changed me. She shared her own testimony of having many people live in her home for years, and how they never wanted to leave because of the love they experienced there.
That day, I vowed to break the cycle. I prayed that anyone who ever stayed with me would feel loved, safe, and cared for, not crushed or unwanted.
This is what it means to be called blessed. Not because of perfection, but because of love that transforms lives.
The Power of Being Called Blessed
The Hebrew word used in Proverbs 31:28 for “blessed” is “ashrei“, which conveys happiness, favor, and admiration. It doesn’t mean people admired the woman’s beauty or wealth. They honored her because her life consistently bore fruit.
- Her children admired her character, not just her care.
- Her husband noticed her worth, not just her work.
- Her life was a testimony others could not ignore.
This kind of blessing doesn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of daily choices to love, to give, to serve, and to trust God even when it’s hard.
“Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.” Matthew 7:20 (NIV)
The fruit of your life, your words, habits, and treatment of others will one day be the evidence of whether people rise to call you blessed.
Questions for Every Woman
Ask yourself today:
- Who am I becoming in my single season?
- When people spend time with me, do they leave feeling loved, safe, and refreshed or drained and insecure?
- Am I building habits that reflect Christ, or am I nurturing patterns of resentment?
“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14 (NIV)
Peace starts within. It flows from a healed, surrendered heart.
A Husband Who Praises
“Her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:28 (NIV)
This means her sacrifices didn’t go unnoticed. Her husband didn’t take her for granted. He honored her publicly and privately.
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:25 (NIV)
This is the kind of man every godly woman should pray for, not a perfect man, but one who:
- Encourages and appreciates you
- Supports your dreams
- Honors your role as a home builder
- Loves you as Christ loves the church
Sisters, don’t settle for less. If a man doesn’t honor and appreciate you while dating, marriage won’t change him. Choose wisely.
How to Live Out Proverbs 31:28 in Your Single Season
1. Build a Godly Reputation
“A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” Proverbs 22:1 (NIV)
Be known as dependable, kind, and trustworthy. Faithfulness in small things builds honor over time.
2. Be a Spiritual Mother
“Teach the older women to be reverent… Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children.” Titus 2:3–5 (NIV)
Motherhood is not limited to biology. Mentor and nurture others around you.
3. Cultivate a Heart of Service
“The greatest among you will be your servant.” Matthew 23:11 (NIV)
Serve joyfully, not for attention but out of love. Small acts of kindness create ripples of blessing.
4. Speak Life Into Others
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
Speak words that heal, strengthen, and encourage.
5. Prepare for the Family You Desire
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” Luke 16:10 (NIV)
Practice patience, service, and spiritual growth now.
Breaking Generational Patterns
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Choosing to treat people well despite your past is not easy. But when you do, you break generational curses and create new legacies of love.
The Reward of Faithfulness
The Proverbs 31 woman didn’t chase praise. She lived faithfully, and honor followed.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV)
Don’t live for human validation. Live for God’s approval.
Reflection Questions
- When people interact with me, do they feel loved and encouraged or drained?
- What attitudes from my upbringing do I need to unlearn?
- Am I preparing now to be a woman others can genuinely call blessed?
- Do I honor others with my words?
- Am I building habits that will bless my future family?
Conclusion
The Proverbs 31 woman is not an unreachable ideal. She is a portrait of what faithfulness, wisdom, and love look like in daily life.
Whether single or married, you can create an atmosphere of love, safety, and joy. You can break cycles of pain and begin legacies of blessing. You can be the kind of woman people look back on and say, “She changed my life. She made me feel loved. She was a blessing.”
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:28 (NIV)
May this be the testimony of your life.
How has God used your journey to bless others? Share your thoughts in the comments; I’d love to hear your story.
FAQs
Does Proverbs 31:28 only apply to married women?
No. While it describes a wife and mother, the principles apply to every woman. You can be called blessed by spiritual children, friends, and your community.
What if no one calls me blessed right now?
Keep sowing seeds of faithfulness. Recognition often comes later, sometimes years down the road.
How can I have “spiritual children”?
By mentoring, encouraging, and being an example to younger believers. You don’t need biological children to influence lives.
What if I’ve made mistakes in the past?
God redeems. The Proverbs 31 woman is not perfect; she is faithful. You can begin again today.
How do I know if a man will truly “praise” me as a husband?
Pay attention during dating. If he doesn’t appreciate or respect you now, marriage won’t change him. Pray for a man who loves like Ephesians 5.
Can painful past experiences still produce good fruit?
Absolutely. God can use your scars to heal others if you let Him transform your pain into testimony.
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