What Does God Think of Strong Women?
Some of you are shocked, and maybe a little offended, that I would ask this question because your instinctive response is, Of course God values strong women.
Janel Breitenstein is an author, freelance writer, speaker, and editor for GoServeLove.net, a site mobilizing the next generation of global workers. After five and a half years in Uganda, her family of six has returned to Colorado, where they continue to work on behalf of the poor with Engineering Ministries International. Her book, Permanent Markers: Spiritual Life Skills to Write on Your Kids’ Hearts (Harvest House), empowers parents to creatively engage kids in vibrant spirituality.
You can find her—“The Awkward Mom”—having uncomfortable, important conversations at JanelBreitenstein.com, at FamilyLife.com, and on Instagram @janelbreit.
Some of you are shocked, and maybe a little offended, that I would ask this question because your instinctive response is, Of course God values strong women.
As the electricity snapped off sometime in the middle of the night, my husband and I groaned as the fan’s blades slowed to a stop, leaving a stuffy heat beneath our mosquito net. It was going to be hard to sleep well.
I was trying to stomach a failure—yet another rejection in my writing career—and as I sat with my husband, I shared how God’s key message to me seemed to be this idea of making “no graven image” (Exodus 20:4). Meaning, I had to be careful to not remake God as “the God of my desires”.
One of the things I (mostly) love and occasionally find annoying about my husband: He is a relentless truth-teller.
At times he thinks I want to be reminded of scriptural principles (Which I do, I do! But not when I am sinning!).
While lifting weights this morning, I listened to a podcast by Dr. Curt Thompson. In a lightbulb moment for me, Thompson pointed out that vulnerability is a bid for connection. Wanting to be seen.
As someone who grew up in the era when the church engaged in boycotts and condemned rock music, I was rather caught up with the “culture wars” of my youth.
Genevieve’s voice poured through the phone to me. She’s going through court proceedings following a horrific divorce.
I find myself avoiding Christmas for a handful of reasons—not the activities, but allowing the inside of me to truly engage; to worship, enjoy, meditate and be all there.
Today I’m writing for those of you who identify with Thomas more than Peter. Who tend to uncover more questions than answers in your faith.
YMI (which stands for Why Am I?), is a platform for Christian young people all over the world to ask questions about life and discover their true purpose. We are a community with different talents but the same desire to make sense of God’s life-changing word in our everyday lives.
YMI is a part of Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Scripture quotations taken from The Holy Bible,
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