As I sit down to write this post, my heart feels burdened thinking of you ladies serving all over the world. You're balancing marriage, parenting, housework, ministry, language learning, support raising/maintaining, cultural adaptation, and oh so many other things as you strive to grow in your personal walk with God. Many of you are likely walking through hard seasons -- seasons with unexpected challenges or uncertainties, perhaps seasons of poor health, of challenges in your marriage, of worrying about your kids, of struggling with the language or culture of your host country. You may be feeling incredibly lonely or you may be discouraged by the progress of your ministry. You might be feeling overwhelmed with busyness or you may be wondering if you are doing enough. Your relationship with God may be feeling distant as many cares and worries come close to consuming you. Maybe you are struggling with feelings of doubt as what you had expected life and ministry to look like isn't what is happening in this season.
Ladies, as I said, my heart is burdened thinking of you. I want to share that I have felt, in different seasons, each and every one of the challenges I've listed above. There have even been seasons in which it seems that I am experiencing them all at the same time! If you are feeling this way, you are not alone. This past weekend, I sat in a café with a dear Costa Rican friend, a pastor's wife, who was sharing many of these same feelings with me. With tears in our eyes, we shared these struggles that are so common for women in ministry. And, it was good to know that we weren't the only one that had these struggles. It was good to share our hearts with each other and to mutually encourage each other. My prayer is that each of you can find someone to share with if you are struggling. Maybe you could even share here with us so we can join together in praying for you?
And, mis hermanas ("my sisters", as the ladies of our church call each other here), can I remind you another way that you are not alone? God is with you. He is for you! Nothing - absolutely nothing - can separate you from Him and His love for you (Romans 8: 38-39). He knows all of your weaknesses and struggles and still He loves you without fail.
So, this is my prayer for each woman reading this today, that you would know that you are not alone, that God is with you and that He delights in you! I pray that His love would quiet you and bring you peace in the midst of whatever struggles you are facing. I pray that you would hear Him rejoicing over you with singing.
Are you going through a season of discouragement right now? How can we be praying for you?
Ladies, as I said, my heart is burdened thinking of you. I want to share that I have felt, in different seasons, each and every one of the challenges I've listed above. There have even been seasons in which it seems that I am experiencing them all at the same time! If you are feeling this way, you are not alone. This past weekend, I sat in a café with a dear Costa Rican friend, a pastor's wife, who was sharing many of these same feelings with me. With tears in our eyes, we shared these struggles that are so common for women in ministry. And, it was good to know that we weren't the only one that had these struggles. It was good to share our hearts with each other and to mutually encourage each other. My prayer is that each of you can find someone to share with if you are struggling. Maybe you could even share here with us so we can join together in praying for you?
And, mis hermanas ("my sisters", as the ladies of our church call each other here), can I remind you another way that you are not alone? God is with you. He is for you! Nothing - absolutely nothing - can separate you from Him and His love for you (Romans 8: 38-39). He knows all of your weaknesses and struggles and still He loves you without fail.
The Lord your God is with you,
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
- Zephaniah 3:17
So, this is my prayer for each woman reading this today, that you would know that you are not alone, that God is with you and that He delights in you! I pray that His love would quiet you and bring you peace in the midst of whatever struggles you are facing. I pray that you would hear Him rejoicing over you with singing.
Are you going through a season of discouragement right now? How can we be praying for you?
Love you Sarah! So so wish we were closer! Thanks for the encouragement this morning!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz! Wish we lived closer, too! It's interesting - I had a completely different post planned in my head, but when I sat down to write it, this is what came out. =)
ReplyDeleteI think THAT happens a lot... or at least it does to me.
DeleteThanks for the encouraging reminder. :-)
Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI don't know that I am discouraged right now, but I am definitely... burdened? The war situation here seems to be getting much worse. Please pray for peace in Ukraine! and in my own head.
I'm definitely praying for you, Phyllis! My heart is so burdened for Ukraine as well. I can't even imagine how you must be feeling living there!! Praying for peace in Ukraine... and in your heart and mind, friend.
DeleteThanks so much for sharing...what a great encouragement! The past year has been the toughest one we've had so it helps to know I'm not alone!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear that this past year has been a very tough one, Danielle. It's always good to hear that you're not alone, isn't it? Praying for you this morning that your heart would be encouraged and strengthened.
DeletePraying for all of you right now, even though it is almost a year later. :)
ReplyDeleteThis post hit me where I am now, though, so I read it at the right time...of transition, past burdens, loneliness, grief, and uncertainty. Please pray for me, too <3
Praying.
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