Musings & Convictions on Head-covering
Head covering had been laid on my heart for a long time. I wrestled with it many times over more than a year, trying to discern what obedience looked like for me. Finally, after attending a Christian work conference a few months ago and sitting beside an attendee who I caught secretly covering her head during worship, I was convicted and I knew I couldn’t keep putting it off.
Although I did not have all the answers, I decided to act in faith. I didn’t want to delay obedience simply because I didn’t have every other area of modesty figured out. Sometimes you just have to obey where you are, even without all the answers.
So, I began.
Why I Started Covering
When I started covering my head while praying in public, it just felt right. There was a deep joy in the act of obedience—one that couldn’t be explained away. I couldn’t escape the objectivity of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 11. It wasn’t written as a local custom for a specific time or place. Paul grounds his instruction in creation order, divine authority, and even the presence of angels. This wasn’t about Corinthian culture—it was about God’s design.
I realized that many leaders I deeply respect still preach head covering. It was ironic that I listened to them on so many other matters, yet had avoided this one. But the conviction didn’t leave—it kept resurfacing gently but persistently.
Some dismiss head covering as outdated, a casualty of modern feminism and cultural shifts. But the 1960s feminist movement is a poor reason to abandon a practice that the church universally upheld for nearly 2,000 years. Tradition isn’t always the final authority—but when tradition aligns clearly with Scripture, it deserves attention.
Head covering isn’t first and foremost about sexual modesty, though modesty flows naturally from it. It’s about creation order, spiritual authority, the angels, and most of all—obedience. The safest place to be as a Christian is to obey God simply because He said so, not to explain it away with clever reasoning.
The Joy of Obedience and Encouragement from Others
When I finally took that first step—without having everything figured out—I felt real joy. What had delayed me was the sense that I needed to have all the theology, culture, and context neatly resolved before acting. But when I saw another sister walking in obedience, even as she was still figuring things out, it unlocked something in me.
At that conference, her quiet example gave me courage. And since then, the Lord has continued to encourage me through others.
Just last Sunday, at my Dutch Reformed church, I noticed an older Punjabi lady—dressed beautifully in her traditional suit, scarf over her head, Bible open, taking notes. It struck me as both ironic and beautiful. In a Western church setting, she reflected a biblical tradition far older than Western modernity. Her cultural background aligns much more closely with the world of the New Testament, where head covering was normal. Her presence encouraged me deeply, simply by being faithful.
It really helps to see someone living it out. That sister’s quiet obedience made my own journey feel less abstract and more tangible. It reminded me that I’m not alone.
And yes, I find it easier to wear cultural clothing—especially because it often includes a head covering naturally. In contrast, many Western readers bring cultural bias to 1 Corinthians 11, using interpretive gymnastics to avoid what the passage plainly says. But someone from a traditional background may read the same text and embrace it without hesitation.
In many MENASA regions (Middle East, North Africa, South Asia), women wear head coverings as part of daily life. It’s simply normal. Mid-Eastern Christians still practice it. Jean Calvin and nearly all Christian traditions did too—until recent decades when Western liberalism began reshaping cultural norms.
Lingering Questions and Personal Process
I still don’t have all the answers, and that’s okay. My goal isn’t to be legalistic but faithful—to walk with the Lord as He refines my understanding.
Here are some of the questions I continue to wrestle with:
Do I cover when I’m alone in prayer? The head-covering sister I met at the conference does—it’s between her and the Lord. I resonate with that.
If we’re called to pray without ceasing, does that mean I should cover all the time? That’s hard to sort through, but I trust the Lord to lead me with wisdom.
What about modest clothing? I’m still discerning what that looks like in practice. Sometimes the head covering has actually helped me make better clothing choices.
What if I’m afraid of what people will think? Honestly, that’s been my biggest struggle. I’ve taken it off in church out of fear. But I want to fear God more than people.
Does this apply only to wives or to all women? The Greek word Paul uses (gynē) can mean either woman or wife, depending on context. I believe Paul’s command applies to all women in public worship, not just those who are married.
Is long hair enough as a covering? I don’t think so. Paul seems to mention both hair and a separate, external covering.
Was this only about distinguishing Christian women from prostitutes in Corinth? I don’t find that argument convincing—especially since Paul concludes by saying, “If anyone is contentious, we have no other practice, nor do the churches of God.” That makes his teaching universal, not local.
Even when I forget my covering, I don’t beat myself up. I just keep one in my bag or at my desk. It’s a process. The point isn’t perfection—it’s a heart posture of obedience. And yes, I’ve even worn a baseball cap as a covering once. At a campfire Bible study, no one else knew, but I did—and that was enough. It was between me and the Lord.
Even when I’m just with women, I often still cover. For me, it began as something personal before God, so why not continue it in that spirit? You never know who might be watching quietly, wondering if this practice is something they should consider. Our obedience has ripple effects we may never see.
That sister at the conference had no idea that her simple obedience would encourage and convict me. But the Lord used her faithfulness to move me toward mine.
When Scripture aligns with long-standing church tradition, that’s worth paying attention to. Head covering may not be popular or trendy, but I believe it’s beautiful. It’s an act of humility, reverence, and order. It’s a visible reminder that we belong to a God who designed creation with purpose and hierarchy—not oppression, but harmony. I’ve found that wearing cultural clothing helps me live this out more naturally, and it reminds me that faith often looks different across the world. What’s countercultural in one place may be normal in another.
I don’t claim to have all the answers, and I’m not forcing anyone to follow my example. This is simply my story—why I chose to cover my head, and the peace that’s come from obeying what the Lord has laid on my heart.
Obedience, even in the small things, is always worth it.