“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” 1 Peter 3:3-4
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12
What does it mean to live a quiet life? Women are bombarded daily with the noise of this world that tells us how we should live our life. Dress a certain way to look sexy. Get a degree and have a career [outside the home] so that you aren’t “tied down” to the home. Keep up appearances with the latest model vehicle, because after all, only “new” vehicles are the safest. The fear of missing out breeds discontentment. Keeping up with the Joneses has never made anyone happy, it makes them broke!
I bought into the lie as a young woman, and it made me resentful when my husband wouldn’t help me with housework or watch the kids while I studied to obtain my degree. Then the Lord got my attention in the fall of 2017. I was miserable of chasing “success” but only feeling desperate and broke. We signed up to take Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University as a “last resort”. Little did I know our life would transform from making the decision to change. It was a gradual change, but the decision to get our finances in order was the catalyst to transforming other areas of our life.
I slowly began to realize that living counter-culturally was very satisfying. Questioning everything else I was taught, I began thinking Biblically about how I should live my life. I had a hunger after His Word that I never before had in my life, and turning off the distractions helped shaped me into who He made me to be.
We live in a fast-paced, gotta-have-it-now society. Being intentional about slowing down is not as easy as it seems in our “microwave” environment. But good things take time to cook! Our ancestors lived with no modern conveniences of food, shelter, or clothing, and yet they seemed more content. Could it be that the modern conveniences of this world are not as satisfying as cultivating a simple life?
I’m not saying that it’s bad to own a car or buy our food from the grocery store, but what I mean is we’ve lost touch with what makes us who He created us to be. God designed women to be nurturers, our husband’s helpmeet, keepers of the home, loving (and raising) our children. When we step away from the rat-race of what the world calls success, and press into the life He has called us to live, our obedience to His word brings blessings that are incomparable.
When I embraced my purpose of being a keeper of the home, that meant that our family would have to make some financial sacrifices. It didn’t happen overnight, but I learned how to stretch my husband’s income and be content with what we had. I still struggle with contentment, as the process of sanctification is on-going. But I’ve learned whenever I’m feeling discontent, it means I need to slow down and count my blessings.
How to cultivate a quiet life:
1. Unplug. Turn off anything that is a distraction, usually in the form of technology. When I choose to watch less television and read a book instead (usually something I checked out from the library!), I feel more content and spend less money.
2. Declutter. The science behind decluttering reveals it can improve focus and reduce anxiety. When we live in a cluttered environment, our brain releases the stress hormone cortisol. Studies show that cortisol levels lower when we remove physical clutter from our home.
3. Pursue healthy relationships. Proverbs 13:20 says, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” Pay attention to the people you spend the most amount of time with and how you feel when you’re around them. Do you feel anxious or content?
4. Be present with the people you live with. This one is hard for me, but my husband and children come first before any other “ministry” or project. Spend quality time with your spouse and children. Look your loved ones in the eyes and tell them you love them. There is nothing more important than slowing down and connecting with others.
God designed us for relationship with Himself and others, for we are created in His image. As image-bearers, we were created with the capability of intelligence, speech, moral consciousness, rationality, creativity, and free will (choice). May we choose to slow down and cultivate the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in His sight.
The Resourceful Housewife 