August 1: Strength and Dignity in Every Step

 Theme: Walking Boldly in Strength — Even When Trust Is Broken in Marriage

Corry Chambers,
Women’s Ministries Director,
CIC

Scripture: Proverbs 31:25

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”

Marital trust is meant to be a safe place — a covenant guarded by faithfulness. When that trust is broken, it feels like the ground beneath you has crumbled. Questions flood your heart: Will I ever feel whole again? Will I ever laugh again?

But Proverbs 31:25 reminds us: You are clothed with strength and dignity. Not borrowed. Not fabricated. Clothed — wrapped, equipped, empowered — by God Himself. Your ability to keep walking doesn’t come from what’s happening around you, but from who God is within you.

To the Woman Struggling with Broken Trust:

If you’re walking through a marriage where trust has been broken — emotionally, sexually, or spiritually — you are not alone. God sees the silent cries, the torn promises, the moments you smile in public but feel shattered in private.

You may feel weak. But weakness is not failure — it’s a setup for God’s strength to shine.

You may feel forgotten. But you are engraved on the palms of His hands (Isaiah 49:16).

You may feel broken. But in God’s hands, broken things are not discarded — they are rebuilt into testimonies.

So take one step. Then another.

Even small steps — prayer, counseling, setting healthy boundaries, speaking truth — are acts of boldness. You are walking in strength when you choose not to give up. You are walking in dignity when you remember your worth, even when someone else forgot it.

And Yes — You Will Laugh Again

Proverbs 31:25 ends with a beautiful promise: “She can laugh at the days to come.”

This isn’t just poetic hope — it’s prophetic truth. Your mourning will not last forever. There is joy coming — deep, soul-freeing, belly-shaking joy.

Here are some of the laughters God is preparing for you:

The laughter of relief — when you realize you made it through what once seemed unbearable.

The laughter of rediscovery — when you find joy in the things you once loved: music, nature, quiet moments with God.

The laughter of healing — when a conversation doesn’t trigger tears but brings peace.

The laughter of new beginnings — whether it’s restoration in your marriage or wholeness on your own.

The laughter of legacy — when your children or others say, “She never gave up. She trusted God.”

The laughter of deep intimacy with God — the kind that only grows through trial and tears.

Reflection: What part of your identity feels most wounded? Bring that place to God in prayer.

What step (even small) can you take this week to walk in dignity and not despair?

Who can you talk to for safe, godly support?

Prayer: Lord, when my heart is weary and my trust is broken, clothe me again in Your strength and dignity. Teach me to walk boldly — not in fear, not in bitterness, but in quiet confidence. Restore joy to my heart. Help me believe that laughter is still possible, still promised, and still ahead. Amen.