I am a huge fan of women empowering women. It’s the prime example of:
Proverbs 27:17 of Iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
When women actively come together and study God's word something amazing always happens. I have seen growth not only in myself but other ladies who take the time to be intentional. Not only does studying the word of God create spiritual growth but also builds strong, purposeful friendships. We create a place of security where we can be vulnerable and transparent. We create a place where we can relate through shared stories. We create an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit moves and stirs our spirit man within that encourages and motivates to take life head on knowing we serve a Mighty God who can do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ever ask for or imagine. I really liked how an article published on Psychology Today website asserts that women are each other’s support system by which it connects us profoundly whether it’s given godly advice through the word of God, being available, trusting in one's secrets, lending a listening ear and encouraging self-esteem, that ultimately develops a solid advantageous sisterhood (Fuller, 2018).
Being each other’s support system under our Savior creates a unity that is so strong the bible says cannot be easily broken. Establishing intentional godly relationships in love allows God’s Spirit to keep our hearts united in one accord in Christ.
Romans 14:19 says “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.”
It is by Him alone that allows God’s goodness to follow us in being able to edify on another to be stronger in our Christian walk. The Greek word translated to edify means, “to build up in faith by which advances the divine life for all believers” (Baker & Zodhiates, 2008, p. 3615). And that is something we all are looking for, learning to grow in new levels of faith to faith, from glory to glory.
How do we as Christians advance the divine life of another believer, the life God intended us to have? My personal experience is doing life together with other like-minded individuals who build each other up spiritually. For me, it was specific women I choose to surround myself with who if I call upon for prayer will stop what they are doing and pray with me. These are women who when feeling down in discouragement speak encouragement into my soul reminding me what God’s says personally for my life. It's women who have a personal relationship with Christ and walk in that manner of His love. As I begin to surround myself with these types of women, I find myself taking on the same attributes. My character changes towards the attributes of Christ in love. By these continual acts of being intentional with each other Ephesians 4 describes how the Holy Spirit equips you and me in doing His work, ministering to one another’s faith by drawing us closer to Christ through His light that shines within us. Learning who Christ is through His word and by our actions.
I pray that God sends laborers your way because it is He who brings different godly women in our lives at different times in different seasons. It is something that I still come to Him in prayer for every day. I thank God for these women that I call sisters because they were indeed my support system and I theirs. Each woman that God placed in my life throughout the years had different character traits that inspired me to want for myself. Some were firm but yet gentle in their words; others were extremely kind and ready to give a helping hand at the drop of the dime, I even met some women who were so bold in their faith they always showed themselves prepared to minister the gospel at any given opportunity. I love that. And most importantly each of these ladies sharpened me to seek God even more on the unction of knowing that God is no favor of "person" that if I too delight myself in the Lord, He would give me the desires of my heart to walk in those attributes as well.
Therefore, I strongly encourage you to get connected to other like-minded women, you don’t have to do life alone. Wherever you are directed to be in this particular season in your life do so with the expectations that God will place you exactly where you need to be to grow whether it is this Ministry, at your local church or within the community you live, you may be even called to lead one yourself. It is incredible to see what God can do for you and through you if you allow Him. I currently lead a Women’s Bible Study in El Paso, Texas and have recently been led to write about the journey God has brought me through and is still bringing me through as I walk in this Ministry for Women.
I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences with you. Stay tuned for more.
References:
Baker, W., & Zodhiates, S. (2008). New Testament Dictionary. In The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible(p. 2198). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.
Fuller, K. (2018, August 16). The Importance of Female Friendships Amoung Women. Retrieved from Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happiness-is-state-mind/201808/the-importance-female-friendships-among-women
