Finally, my bethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Ephesians 6:10-11 NKJV
A former supervisor once asked me how does my husband “put up with me?” It wasn’t what he said, but how he said it. Engaging in a conversation he said as a God fearing woman he thought I would be submissive but as defiant and bull headed I was, there was no way I could be submissive.
Let’s just say him and I went back and fourth in a positive way but the way the conversation ended, I’m sure he wasn’t ready for that. I guess I was supposed to be passive, smile, laugh, and just walk away. I guess he doesn’t know Whitnee’ because it’s not about to go down like that.
Sylvia Plath has a poem entitled “Mushrooms” and describes a mushroom as fragile, voiceless, meek, and unnoticeable.
Is that how some view women? Or feel we should be?
Just as a mushroom grows, so do women! We have taken a stand and found our voice.
While there are several injustices we still face, while we have to fight harder than men to gain our rightful seat at the table, and while we still overcome many prejudices, as Maya Angelou says, “Still I Rise”- we rise!
‘Hope’ is the thing with feathers-
That perches in the soul-
And sings the tube without the words-
And never stops-at all-
And sweetest- in the Gale- is heard-
And sore must be the storm-
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm-
I’ve heard it in the chillest land-
And on the strangest Sea-
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb- of Me.
Hope is the Thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson
From childbirth, education, women’s rights, our place in the church, business, and society- woman have faced many storms. No matter the circumstances or how strong the winds blow women across this great nation show us day in and day out what it means to be resilient.
Today I want to dedicate today’s message to my mother and mother in law. Their bravery, good spirits, faith, hope in God, warrior mentality, and their fight has truly inspired me. My mom fighting with faith to combat throat cancer and my mother in law fighting daily with her battle with lupus taught me how to “get in there” and “get her done.”
I thank God for their awareness and their positive influence. My mother endured a 20 hour long surgery at the age of 64 and came out like a champ. 4 hours after having a total hip replacement, my mother in law, got out of the hospital bed walking and fighting against all odds. When people thought they would be down for the count- they trusted in God to see them through.
In life we will have setbacks but it’s women like this who teach us how to deal, develop and strengthen ourselves in spite of whatever we face.
Ephesians 6:10 is an example of how we can be strong. We find strength in Christ. God is the supplier of all of our needs. Whatever we lack-He has. Whatever we aren’t-He is. Whatever we can’t-He can. Continuing to read chapter 6, verses 13 through 20 talk about the whole armor of God.
“Be a blessing to someone in need.”
Minister Kenneth Spry
CEO of Teen Spirit LLC of Irmo, SC
Ephesians 4:28 says, Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
It would be a disservice to all if I didn’t take it a step further: If it weren’t for the grace and mercy of our Lord then these women wouldn’t be who they are. They would not fight with faith like they do if it weren’t for the love of Christ. God’s love is a gift! We should always give the glory to God.
We (you and I) are a resilient people. We are a resilient America. We are a united, resilient nation. With this resilience we must be a blessing to others. We have to show others God’s love for all! With so many dying, getting killed, struggling, hurting, mourning, or whatever- we have to allow the Holy Spirit to work in and through us.
Like my mother and mother in law, we too can reflect His compassion, His love, and His mercy to others. So although I started off talking about two beautiful women and their resiliency, and spoke of women’s resiliency; I’m taking a step further to talk about us being resilient in Christ.
Jesus Christ gave us the perfect example of what it means to be of service to others. His motivation was service. He wants us to show others love.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-
and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:18-20
It is the prayers of God’s people that help us to keep pushing. It is the prayers of God’s people that help others prosper. The prayers of the saints!
This topic is one that I could go on and on because it is the resilience of my mother and mother and law, of women and men, boys and girls- that will push us forward by the grace of God. We must take the situation at hand by the horns and push forward. We must not fall down but stand tall. We are a tough people- we are stronger in Christ.
I urge you to be strong in the Lord and put in the whole armor of God. I urge you to stand firm in faith and resist the temptation of the devil. I urge you to allow your resilience to shine like a light.
Be strong my brothers and sisters- GO WITH CHRIST AND BE STRONG!
