Women…we are moms, wives, sisters, daughters, aunts, grandmas, cousins, etc. While we may have various titles and fill individual roles, we are all wired similarly and at our core have many commonalities amongst ourselves. Though we all walk individual paths, they cross over into similar experiences. We see proof of this all-over social media. One post can go viral from the ‘likes’ and ‘shares’ due to common interest. Even with connections being so easy, we can still feel so alone and so isolated. No matter how far technology comes, it will never replace the need for human contact and genuine relationships. We need each other.
The enemy would love to isolate us, and tell us that no one cares, but what I’m learning and seeing is: through the years, there was always someone I could have reached out to. I was just too distraught, or manipulated by the enemy’s lies to see it. I’m talking women that genuinely loved me, and that I could trust…who wouldn’t think I was a burden. Women who have been there, and who could take me by the hand and guide me or make the burden a little lighter. This is the beauty of womanhood, friendship, and love. I pray that we all find our “villages” and our “people” that create safe spaces for us.
But then, there are those times when you must walk certain paths alone for a season. Thankfully, there is a God who sees, knows, and is omnipresent. During these times, the word of God acts as our comfort. Because when the nights are dark, and people are asleep, and no one is online, God is awake. Let Him be a friend. Hide yourself under the shadow of His wing. There are so many scriptures and phrases that have ministered to me over the years and been my lifeline! I’m going to highlight a few of my favorites. My prayer is that these versus would accomplish everything the Lord purposed them to in your life and work for you.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12 KJV
Prayer is so important! There have been so many times over the years where I wouldn’t know what to say to the Lord. There was just too much chaos. I was too heavy. I didn’t want to bother Him…again…for the same issues. I’d just sit in silence or play worship music…and cry. Through the tears, I’d utter phrases, that turned into sentences and before I knew it, I was in full blown prayer! Don’t let discouragement and negative feelings keep you from the One who loves you most. Be consistent in prayer, even if you feel like it won’t change anything. Just show up. Force your faith to work! Don’t let emotions stop you. God will do a lot with a little.
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 31:8 KJV
When Jesus walked the earth, He experienced every temptation that we have…and He overcame each one. The Overcomer has gone before us to make a way and will never leave us. He won’t forsake us. He won’t fail. He went through, so we could get to. Because of that, we don’t have to be afraid or discouraged.
…God is for me.
Psalms 56:9 KJV
I know I’ve read Psalms 56 a few times in my life. For some reason, I never noticed these words in this order until this year! It was as if the words illuminated on the pages and leaped into my spirit. In that moment, I honestly couldn’t believe my eyes. I KNOW God is for me, but to see it written in the Bible that way verbatim…was mind blowing! We must know…that we know that we know that He is for us in every situation and in every way possible. He is our biggest supporter!
I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of God in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and he will strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord.
Psalms 27:13-14 KJV
This whole chapter is incredible and speaks volumes the whole way through! It has brought tears to my eyes more times than I can count. This specific verse offers encouragement, instruction, and promise.
Depending on your location in the world, you probably don’t regularly have people physically trying to kill you. However, they’ll slander you, or try to kill your character and it’s usually after receiving a promise or a word from God, just as David did. This is nothing new. However, we must believe what God said and believe that He will do what He said He will do for our own mental/spiritual/emotional state.
David chose to believe that he would see the goodness of God even though Saul was trying to kill him! If he would have doubted God, he may not have been able to think clearly and strategically dodge Saul. Through his faith, he was able to encourage and leave instruction for us to get through our own battles.
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
1 John 5:14 KJV
How awesome is it, that the creator of the heavens and earth, cares enough about us to pay attention to us? Above all the noise He hears you. He hears our thoughts. He hears when all we can pray is a whisper. He even hears what your lips can’t say. He hears your heart. And since our God can hear, you better know He will also answer.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7 NLT
Not only does He hear us, but He cares. He cares about our lives. He cares about all things small and big. The KJV version of this verse says to cast your cares upon him. Peter was a fisherman. When you cast your lures, you’re throwing them out into the water. Throw your worries and concerns to the Lord, so He can take care of them…and you.
The first time I defended myself, no one helped me; everyone left me. May they be forgiven. 17 But the Lord stayed with me and gave me strength.
2 Timothy 4:16-17 NCV
Paul shares an experience and a testimony of being deserted at a time when he needed someone the most. How many times have we felt this way in our own lives? How painful it can be when we feel like we have no one! When you don’t have support from family or friends, or people just choose to not get in the trenches with, it can cut deep. It gets lonely. It can be tempting to get upset or mad at people or even God.
But don’t hold it against them, because God is standing with you! Not only is he standing with you, but he is also strengthening you. He wants to reveal Himself to you! Let Him. If God has allowed you to be here, it is for you to draw closer to Him!
But may the God of all grace, who called us to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you.
1 Peter 5:10
God will not leave us how he found us. We will go through hard times, cry, and feel every emotion imaginable. We’ll think thoughts that we shouldn’t. Life can be hard! Jesus said in this world, we’d have trouble, but look how many scriptures point to him being there for us in and through it all. He will allow your condition to do just what His Word says: perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle YOU. The situations are used to do something in us all for the glory of God.
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NLT
Troubles won’t last always. No matter what is happening around us, our focus should always be on Jesus. The Bible calls our problems temporary. They are working the kinks out of us to shake off what doesn’t belong and make us more like Him. Focus on what He wants and the steps He would have you to take, especially when you don’t know what else to do. Ironically, it can be easier to focus on the Lord during this time, because it seems like the Lord is all we have.
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.
Revelation 21:4
Mic drop.
This is one of my favorite verses. At the end of the day, and at the end of this life, after hearing “well done thy good and faithful servant,” I think this will be one of the single greatest things to happen in eternity for me. At least, that my mortal mind can comprehend. This one moment will be worth every battle scar, every insult, every person that walked away, every burden, every frustrating moment, and every wound that I’ve gained in this life. It will be worth it ALL! As believers, we must remember that the big picture…is being with Jesus.
Final Thought
Ladies, whether you’re surrounded by loving friends and family, or whether you’re in a wilderness season, the Lord has your back. YOU are the one He loves. Never stop communicating with Him, or reading His word and standing on what it says. He is not like people, that lie. He is the truth! He will do His part to accomplish His will in your life. If the Father needs to sit you down on His lap and hold you while you cry, or physically send someone to your aid to embrace you and tell you everything will be alright, He will do that to rescue you. I hope this post has helped you. Whatever reason you are here, I’m grateful for it! Is there a scripture or verse that really calms you during a storm? Did one of these really prick your heart? I’d love to hear about it in the comments and as always, thanks for reading!