Fashion may have changed from Biblical times to modern times, but the heart of the women who wore head coverings can still be imitated. I was thinking about the types of stereotypes that people put on women. Some of these ideas come from some element of truth, but are not the whole story. I decided to take each of the stereotypes about women and frame some attitudes that I think women in the Bible have. This is not by any means an absolute list. This list is also not a checklist. I think we can all develop in one of these areas during different seasons of our lives.
The Encouraging Woman:
We’ve all met women who seem like they are out to get other women. When someone is successful, another woman may seek to degrade or belittle that woman. A lot of women have self-confidence issues because they feel like they are not doing enough, are not good enough, or are not far enough along in their journey. Some women attack other women verbally because they want some kind of justification for their own lives. I’ve been responsible for this attitude and many of these behaviors during my life, usually during times when I doubted my own abilities. Instead of trying to figure out what’s wrong with us, we need to realize that God is doing a special thing in each and every woman’s life. God has a different calling on every single woman’s life. If my calling does not look like your calling, that is probably a good thing. We are not all gifted in the same ways. Romans 12:6 says it this way: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Instead of being envious of someone else’s gift, we should instead encourage that person. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says we should “encourage one another and build each other up”. Many of us want to tear another person down. Instead of that adding to our own building, we are actually chipping away at our heart. By lifting one another up, we can be a part of the thing that God is doing in their life.
The Emotionally Stable Woman:
We’ve all seen the irate woman on television, running around yelling at people who seem to be seemingly doing nothing wrong. Culture tells us to believe that women are not in control of their emotions and are lead by ever-changing hormonal imbalances. This is a lie leading many women to live life as if they can’t control their reactions. Women and men express their emotions differently, but that does not make women more emotional than men. As women, we have the choice during a situation to make; we can let the situation dictate how we react or we can submit the situation and our response to the Lord. Practically, I think this looks like telling God our concerns in prayer. I think it can look like talking over different situations with a trusted friend. Given the severity of the situation, I think it can look like seeking counsel from a professional counselor. If we don’t seek guidance from Christ and trusted God-seeking people in our life, we tend to respond to situations in a sudden unreasonable urge. Not only should we seek Biblical counsel from other women, but we should also be ready to give it. Titus 2 speaks of the importance of teaching others “what is appropriate to sound doctrine.” To me, this looks like being there for people in their time of need by pointing them back to God, in love. Emotions can be helpful, but they can also hinder us if we do not have them under the control of the Holy Spirit.
The Content Woman:
Our culture loves to depict women as never content, someone who never feels like anything is “good enough”. A lot of women buy into this idea that there is always something more to be desired. I’ve decided that contentment is less about what you do or don’t have, but is more about the way you respond to what God has given to you. It is about being grateful in seasons of plenty and seasons of wanting. It is about coming to Jesus and expressing your desires in prayer, but also trusting His timing. We have to trust that He is going to finish what He began in us. I love the story of Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. She is doing God’s work, “walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord”. In her old age, God gives a Son, who ends up being called “the greatest of all men” (Matthew 11:11). Waiting on the Lord and doing the work God had called her to do blessed Elizabeth in God’s timing. It is about waking up and thanking Our Father for creating the world and allowing us to be a part of His great plan. I think we can show a satisfied heart by talking to God about the way He has been good to us, is good to us, and will continue being good to us. As we nurture that heart of gratitude, I think that our perspective on our current situation changes.
When we use our strengths for God’s glory and ask for God’s help in the areas that are lacking, I think women can find joy in their God-given roles. I’d be interested to know of any other attitudes you see as demonstrated by women in the Bible. Please add to the conversation!
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