I want to preface this post with a huge THANK YOU. I opened my World Race profile today to find over $4,000 in my donation bar… what??? I haven’t sent out support letters, done any fundraisers or anything like that. All I’ve done is a couple posts on social media about the race. Earlier this week my money raised was at $155. I’m honestly blown away that God is providing in this way! (I mean, I shouldn’t be since He said He would, but my faith is small) I didn’t receive an email about the donation(s), it must have been anonymous, so the only way I know how to thank the giver(s) is on here. God is GOOD.
Now, back to our regularly scheduled blog post:
In light of International Women’s Day, I want to explore what exactly it looks like to be a strong, Christian woman. There are extensive examples in the Bible of women who fight for the Word of God, stand up for their families and radically bless others. Below are some of the key qualities I’ve found that exemplify God’s intention for His daughters:
The Christian woman has endurance. She doesn’t shirk away from getting down into the dirt and working for the calling God has given her.
“She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.” – Proverbs 31:17
We see that especially in Anna the prophetess, who endured years of serving God night and day until she got to see Jesus in the flesh:
“There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,and was a widow for 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.” – Luke 2:36-38
The Christian woman is brave. She is bold in speaking about God and in following wherever God leads her despite the fleshly fears that threaten to rise up.
“Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not leave or forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
We see examples of this bravery in the stories of Esther and Rahab: Esther saves the people of Israel by being brave enough to speak out to the king and defend her people, while Rahab radically and bravely defies her sinful city of Jericho in order to protect Israelite spies and help them carry out God’s will:
“By faith Rahab the prostitute received the spies in peace and didn’t perish with those who disobeyed.” – Hebrews 11:31
The Christian woman is respectful and respected. She has compassion on others and understands how to treat people well, which in turn allows her to receive the same.
“A gracious woman gains respect, but ruthless men gain only wealth.” – Proverbs 11:16
“In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.” – 1 Timothy 3:11
“She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.” – Proverbs 31:20
The Christian woman is wise. She is deeply knowledgeable about the giftings Lord has given her, but she is not harsh in her wisdom and she is also wise enough to seek help when she needs it.
“When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.” – Proverbs 31:26
We see this wisdom in the way the Proverbs 31 woman provides for her home. Multiple times, she is seen using her wisdom to create new income for her family:
“She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.” – Proverbs 31:16
The Christian woman is confident. Confidence looks like trusting in Lord and what He has for her. She sees that the God of the universe is on her side and is confident in Him as the promise-keeper.
“Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.” – Proverbs 31:25
“She who has believed is blessed because what was spoken to her by the Lord will be fulfilled!” – Luke 1:45
We see that confidence in Sarah, who knew God would fulfill what He had promised her:
“By faith even Sarah herself, when she was unable to have children, received power to conceive offspring, even though she was past the age, since she considered that the One who had promised was faithful.” – Hebrews 11:11
The Christian woman desires justice. Just as God desires justice and fairness, she chases after the same – whether that means fighting for those who cannot or joining with those who also seek justice.
“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore He will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for Him!” – Isaiah 30:18
The Christian woman walks with purpose. She doesn’t see her life as something to be wasted or taken lightly, but every breath is breathed with the intent of furthering her Maker’s glory and spreading His love.
“For if you remain silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place, and you and your father’s house will perish [since you did not help when you had the chance]. And who knows whether you have attained royalty for such a time as this [and for this very purpose]?” – Esther 4:14
The Christian woman is a humble leader. She recognizes the power of servant leadership, and she desires to point those around her to Christ.
“On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” – Matthew 20:26
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah 6:8
We see that leadership through the judge and prophetess Deborah, who led the nation of Israel and directed Barak to victory over Jabin the king of Canaan:
“And Deborah said to Barak, ‘Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand. Does not the Lord go out before you?’” – Judges 4:14
The Christian woman is armored with prayer. The power of prayer is nothing new to her – in fact, she is a prayer warrior, on her face before Lord petitioning for all those she loves.
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.” – Psalm 28:7
“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
Most of all – a strong Christian woman relies on Christ and Christ alone – the only source of true strength. She loves fiercely, serves fiercely and fights fiercely. She listens to what God says about her rather than what the world says about her. And God says this about His daughters:
“You are absolutely beautiful, my darling, with no imperfection in you.” – Song of Solomon 4:7
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.” – 1 John 3:1
“For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” – Romans 5:6
Being a strong woman isn’t just an option – as Christians, we are called to it. We are called to put on the armor of God and go into battle with the Word of God as our weapon. We are called to seek out justice, boldness, and mercy just as our King does. We are to imitate His likeness in every way.
This is the call of not only the strong Christian woman, but of the strong Christian.
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:28
The Bible makes it very evident that women are important, loved and, most of all, strong. I am so thankful for all the beautiful women who have loved me, taken the time to mentor me and been examples of womanhood to me. So, in celebration of International Women’s Day, show a woman in your life how much you appreciate her – and all you ladies, lift up the wonderful women you get to share life with!
grace + peace
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