Strength can manifest itself in many ways, there is no doubt about it. Yet often time women are seen as weak because we are emotional and sensitive. Both these attributes are not characteristic of strength in our society, but they are. Emotional and sensitive have now become bywords which are used to offend women. To be emotional does not mean to be a blubbering wreck as is often displayed by the media. Being emotional involves having feelings that are ‘easily excited and openly displayed.’ As for me, there is nothing more powerful than a pers
on whose joy is the joy of another, who can truly celebrate the successes of others, regardless of what they may be going through. On the other hand of this they can mourn with others, take on the burden of their pain and try their best to ease it, no matter how they themself are feeling. Anybody can be selfish and have a ‘don’t rain on my parade’ or ‘I don’t care about why you’re happy because I’m not’ attitude. Sensitivity is beautiful! It links directly with being emotional and involves a ‘delicate appreciation of others feelings’ an ability to ‘detect or respond to slight changes, signals or influences.’ It is not so much about being easily offended or volatile as we often see but a gentleness that allows for the picking up of changes in our environment and those around us. I hope these explanations have helped someone to see the strength that lies within.
The illustration of strength that I want to take from the bible can be found in Matthew 27 from verse 55 and Matthew 28 (NIV). The disciples had kind of dispersed but there were women around, although from afar, they were ready to care for Jesus’ needs. Even after the death of Christ when His body was taken to a tomb, Mary Magdalene and another Mary sat opposite the tomb. Anybody would have been too emotionally distraught to carry the journey through but these strong women did. Anything could have happened to them, they did not care. In chapter 28 it says that the Marys got up at dawn, they wasted no time, they went to the tomb. These women are great examples of strength and diligence that we too have in us. What the world sees as the weakness of women is in fact our strength when we are empowered by a love of Christ and all that has to do with Him.
Another illustration of that inner quiet strength that women posses and how it can be used to God’s glory comes from Jael in the book of Judges chapters 4 and 5. Jael was probably today’s equivalent of a housewife, Sisera was on the run and probably thought ‘let me go into this tent, after all what can this woman do to me.’ Jael made use of her femininity, she hid him and fed him and like anybody who is full up and feeling safe, the great Sisera fell asleep. Jael did not call any man, she did not wait for her friends, she acted, she did what a whole army was unable to do, she killed Sisera, this great antagonist. Her sensitivity to the plight of her people may have been a driving force who knows but this story is one to learn from. No matter your role or how you are seen, there is a power in you that can deliver many. Don’t think because you aren’t out there displaying your power, leading thousands etc that you are worthless. NO! We are strong, we are women and every one of our natural traits and abilities can be used to the glory of God. Quiet power, inner power, power is power. With Christ we can do anything right? There is no limit to where and how.