Saturday, February 19, 2011

Strong Women

I have known a few truly strong women over the years. I'm not talking about women who have a 'strong personality' who have misused their strength and power to tear others down or to throw their weight around. No, I am talking about the women who have such a strength of character that they are truly godly women. They are women who lead others, protect others and stand up for what is right. They are women of intregity and honor. They are women who have often had to withstand great trials and yet with the Lord's help and guidance, they have not only survived but have grown stronger.

I am a Stewart and the Stewart clan motto is "Virescit vulnere virtus" which means "Courage grows strong at a wound". Sometimes it is the trials that we face that make us strong, which make us courageous. Sometimes we have a trial in our life and we think that it's an attack of the enemy of our soul. We rarely look at trials as coming from the Lord like Job did in chapter 23:10 "when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold." God uses the trials He allows us to go through to make us into the person He wants us to be.

 A strong, courageous person instills confidence in those around them. They are not fragile people who fall apart at the first sign of stress. They can usually keep things in perspective and give you godly advice when you need it. They can do all this because they know where their strength or help comes from: "My help comes from the LORD, which made heaven and earth." Psalm 121:2

Many people, especially insecure ones, don't like a strong, efficient woman and I believe that is only because they have come into contact with women who are strong but not godly. A godly, strong woman repects her husband and those in authority over her, such as her pastor. She is a helpmate to her husband and "she brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:12 She does not try to take his place but walks and works alongside him.

A strong woman influences others for Christ and she is not ashamed of her faith in God. She knows that without Him she can't do anything. He is her hope and her source of her strength. She is His daughter. The woman of Proverbs 31 was a strong woman and she became the template of a godly woman.

We live in a day an age where many parents are so afraid that their little girls will grow up to become involved in an abusive relationship, that they make their little girls into aggressive women. That's not a godly plan. I believe that if we encourage our daughters to be kind to those in need and to become daughters of the Most High King, He will protect them and give them that inner strength that only comes from Him. Our daughters need to have a strong sense of value instilled in them. They need that confidence that comes from knowing who you are in Christ. Then they will become strong, godly women.

1 comment

  1. " This is an Awesome Word Laurie !!!! So Very True....O what a different World this Would be If Us Women ( Mothers ) could be that kind of " strong Woman of God !!!! God Bless You for Sharing such Wonderful Truths !!!! friend Pat "

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