A Study On The True Identity Of A Christian Woman
DO YOU FEEL PRESSURED TO COMPLY WITH SOCIETY’S EXPECTATIONS?
As a woman in today’s world, you have definitely dealt with a myriad of expectations. It’s easy to tie your identity into these expectations so when you don’t measure up, you feel like you’ve lost your identity.
If you are a believer, you can be confident that your identity is in Christ’s love, as we talked about in last weeks newsletter. However, these expectations that you feel can still cloud your identity. Often, women strive to be “Godly” but don’t even know what that means. Many women in the Bible weren’t afraid to overcome the expectations placed on them, and you can too!
THE RABBIT-HOLE OF UNHEALTHY EXPECTATIONS
Today’s society is controlled by social media trends and social justice conflicts. Women are expected to be selfsufficient, assertive, and on top of all that, look the part! Sadly, the way you look and act is directly proportional to your identity and value in today’s world, which is detrimental to your mental health. The world has many ways that they try to fix this problem. Dozens of self-help and self-empowerment books promise to give you peace and confidence all wrapped up in a pretty pink package. These books are all based on subjective ideas of who you are supposed to be.
All these expectations can be overwhelming and paralyzing. You may have looked in the mirror many times at your messy hair and cold coffee mug, and felt like you didn’t measure up.
When it comes to unhealthy expectations, you’re your own worst enemy. It’s easy to convince yourself that you need to achieve certain goals to be worthy. When you tie your identity up in something that eventually falls apart, your identity falls apart along with it.
If you are buried in unhealthy, unreached expectations, Book a Call with me today! I can help you discover the solid foundation to build your identity on.
GOD’S EXPECTATIONS FOR WOMEN
The Bible’s expectation for women is often a misunderstood subject. People say that the Bible portrays women as weak, and lesser than men. The Bible does say that when a woman is married she is supposed to respect her husband as the leader of the home. This is not a patronizing, or degrading statement, but it gives stability to a marriage and a household. Proverbs 31, the most famous passage in the Bible about women, lays out the example for a Godly woman. Ladies often strive to be a “Proverbs 31 woman” without actually realizing what that means.
Proverbs 31 tells a story about a woman who was a mother, wife, entrepreneur, businesswoman, and charity worker. Verse 10 says that the worth of a virtuous woman is far above rubies. This woman is trustworthy, hardworking, diligent, kind, strong, and clever. Proverbs 31:30 says, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”
This chapter is often touted as the expectations for a perfect Godly woman. However, the Bible is full of women who are also bold, trail-blazing leaders and warriors. They accomplished amazing things, and are considered some of the greatest women in the Bible.
Before we look at some of them, take this quiz to see which woman from the Bible you’re most similar to!
WOMEN IN THE BIBLE
Esther was a beautiful young woman when she was chosen to be queen. She was clever enough to devise a plan to save the Israelites, and brave enough to risk her life to do it. Sarah, despite her unbelief, conceived a child at 80 years old, and all of Israel descended from her. Debra was one of the Judges in the days before Israel had a king, and led an army that defeated its enemies. During this battle, a warrior named Ja-el killed the enemy’s leader by luring him into her tent and driving a tent peg through his head! Mary the mother of Jesus was abandoned by everyone when she became pregnant with Jesus before her marriage to Joseph. She traveled across the countryside, gave birth in a barn, and fled to a different country to protect her child. These women did remarkable things, and were given a place in history for their amazing stories. Which woman were you most like?
WHERE DO I FIND MY IDENTITY AS A GODLY WOMAN?
Whether or not you meet all of these expectations does not define your identity. Your career, relationships, or appearance, don’t define you; your identity is secure in God’s love. You don’t need to meet all the expectations that you put on yourself, you can rest in who you are in Christ. Your identity in Him is secure, and He doesn’t have a list of expectations for you to achieve. It’s okay if you don’t feel perfect, and it’s okay if you’re different than you thought you’d be, because you’re who God made you to be. Stephanie Boon, a missionary in Tanzania said, “We need to be reminded of the glorious gospel message that relieves us from the bondage of self-obsession and points us to the joy, rest, beauty, hope, and love that we find in Jesus.”