Lightening the Burden of Proverbs 31 on Those with Chronic Pain and Illness

Because of their oft-limited mobility, those who suffer from chronic pain or illness are susceptible to feeling as if their supposed lack of productivity renders them a failure. Although Christians understand that God is more concerned with our faithfulness than our accomplishments and completed checklists, this can be a challenging truth to internalize. When laid low by pain or illness, this can accentuate the struggle a hundredfold. Chronic pain and illness comprise a broad spectrum of experiences, but for the sake of a simple example, consider the last time you had the common cold. How active were you? How many goals did you accomplish around the house? How effective were you at work? Could you even go to work? What percentage of your regular vigor did you possess – 80%? 50%? 20? Now imagine feeling that way all the time. Non-stop. Afraid to create to-do lists or goals, because you’re just setting yourself up for more disappointment.

Proverbs 31 is often, especially for women, held up as a standard of productivity and a life well-lived. But how should someone in chronic pain or with an ongoing illness read this and internalize it? Pastor John Piper says,

“Proverbs 31 must be tailored. In this text we are witnessing ‘faithfulness in the life of an ancient woman in the full bloom of her health and strength. It doesn’t describe the form of faithfulness for a woman who is deaf and blind in her eighties or a woman who’s recently married at age sixteen, just beginning to discover what wisdom is. And it doesn’t describe the form of the faithfulness of a woman with disabilities that might keep her from planting a vineyard or putting her hand to the spindle or rising while it is still dark or even clothing herself.’ So take stock of what does transfer from the Proverbs 31 woman’s life. She’s trusted by her husband (Prov. 31:11). She’s sharp with finances (Prov. 31:16). She’s generous to the poor (Prov. 31:20). She laughs at the future because ‘her faith is unshakeable in the goodness and sovereignty of God’ (Prov. 31:25). She speaks wisdom and kindness (Prov. 31:26). She demonstrates true beauty. Above all, she fears God (Prov. 31:30).”

Furthermore, it’s actually likely more true to the original meaning of the text to interpret it as a sort of “lifetime achievement award,” rather than a description of what this woman did every day. In other words, it’s describing the kind of person that she is, not her daily regimen. I don’t know about you, but this was an insight into Proverbs 31 that revolutionized my understanding of this particular chapter. Love for Jesus and obedience to him are always possible, regardless of our physical circumstances. Faithfulness is customized, and this matters to our Heavenly Father far more than productivity. Therefore, my prayer is that you would feel the smile of God on you.

This post is the tenth and final installment in a series derived from the “Chronic Pain & Illness” seminar held at Rocky Creek in September 2025. If you’d like to receive the PDF note packet and audio version of that seminar, you may email allen@rockycreek.church.

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