Blessed Girlhood: Encourage Your Sisters in Christ

I don’t know if any of you have ever received emails or letters of encouragement from other sisters-in-the-Lord, but it is such a pleasant, heart-warming feeling. Last week I received an email from a highly respected and well-known writer, who is also a mother. It was so encouraging to open my inbox and find this in there:

"Yes, I love your blog. :) I think it is wonderful and that you are such a joy to the Lord being so strong in your faith at such a young age. I would give my right arm if I could have been like you that young. It brings tears to my eyes. I had to come to the Lord the HARD way. I hope my daughter grows up and is just like you. God bless and keep strong in Christ, Mrs. Heather"

After I read that I was almost in tears and just in awe, especially from a mom, and then I was blessed again to receive a comment on my blog, which said,

“I enjoyed reading your passion for the Lord. It gives me hope for my own daughter. May God bless you, dear one.“

I am by no means a perfect role model nor do I claim to be. I still sin and disobey. I have flaws and blemishes just like everyone else, but if the Lord can use me to give hope to mothers for their daughters, I will certainly continue. When I receive comments likes that it makes me press on towards that role model for young ladies.

As Christian women, we should be encouraging the younger generation, whether you're 15 or 35, to keep strong in the Faith, to seek Jesus in everything, to have hope, to be pure and let them know you're proud of them. I have met many, many people who have just spoken such words of encouragement to me. I cannot tell you what a blessing it has been to me and my walk with Him. Some days when I feel a little bit down or if it's just that something has gotten me upset, it’s nice to know I am making a difference in someone’s life.

The Bible is full of verses on keeping strong in the faith. Paul is such an example to us and just reading his words is encouraging. He went through some many trials and tribulations. I can’t imagine how many times he must have felt alone or depressed, and I know he had the Lord, but I bet it lifted his spirits when another believer said something to encourage him to press on. To fight the good fight. In today’s world, especially, believers need one another to encourage them in the faith, to be there for others to lean on, to teach them and to love them. As Christians we need to stand undivided and to truly love one another. I have seen so much hate and backbiting between believers over the past year, and it must stop. Instead we must strive to encourage and love one another.

The Bible gives explicit instructions on what and how the older women are supposed to do for and with the younger women of the Body of Christ. In Titus 2: 3-5, it says, “The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed”

Whenever you get the chance to say something loving or pleasant to someone, even if it’s your mother or sister, do it. Don’t wait for another opportunity. It may never come. Just drop them a note, a letter, or an email. It won’t take more than a few minutes to brighten someone’s day, who may badly need it. We never know why the Lord may place someone on our hearts, but we should always act on the urging of the Spirit.

Discussion:
Have you ever had someone send you a note that was encouraging to you?
What are ways you can encourage your sisters and brothers in everyday life?
Why is it important to be a source of encouragement?
Does it please the Lord when we are encouraging others, rather than hinder them or being a disgruntled person?
Evaluate yourself. Are you an encouraging person or someone who hinders joy?

Blessings to you as you Grow in the Grace of our Lord!