Writings from the Global Office: Messages from Our Hearts

Empowering Lives with Purpose

COURAGE TO OVERCOME SHAME

Are you plagued with shame’s message of “I am bad” or “Did I do something wrong?” Shame identifies that we are unacceptable, dirty, and disgraced. Unfortunately, sin leaves guilt and shame in its wake, even after forgiveness has been sought and granted. Sadly, shame is found in victims of abuse, which is grieving to our hearts. We can feel shame because we are sinned against. Shameful or sinful acts against a person can leave them vulnerable to shame. Verbal abuse, physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and trauma can all result in leaving a person with a feeling of shame.

We can look at the Biblical example of Tamar, who was raped by her brother, Anon. “And she laid her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went.” (2 Samuel 13:19 ESV)

Shame can also arise from past sin, even though it is no longer a part of you. When this shame is experienced, you must remember your sin is nailed to the cross, and it no longer has power over you. It is one thing to believe your sin has been removed from you, but another to KNOW that there is a divine love that can never be removed from you, no matter what you have done. Jesus says, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” (Matthew 9:2 NIV)

Shame hinders us in many ways. It can hinder you and prevent you from finding your purpose. How often this can happen to others as well, robbing our world of such amazing men and women of God. It can hinder you from creativity. Shame brings insecurity that can hold you back from fulfilling things that God has equipped you to do for Him. Shame hinders relationships from thriving because there are tendencies to distance yourself to protect yourself from the other person in your relationship due to past fears. In many ways, you may feel ongoing hurt in areas you have no control over anymore, affecting the other person.

Shame disappears in a relationship with Jesus. Faith in Christ heals us from shame, bringing us true freedom. Jesus’ mission on earth was to set the captives free - free from the prison of shame. Remember to reflect on the truth that God is not ashamed of us. Jesus died for our sin and shame. It takes tremendous courage to walk away from any form of shame and refocus on the praise from Almighty God.

Do not allow your own self-evaluation or that of others to set your mind off course. Look to God’s Word for your help. 1 Corinthians 4:1-13 may help you to name the shame. Identify your shame and nail it to the cross once and for all. You can then move on to freedom in Christ alone. With Him, you will find true inner joy and a peace that passes all understanding.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7 NIV)

Kimberly Hobbs

Founder and Executive Director kimberly@womenworldleaders.com

Biblical Profiles

EVE

One of the biggest blessings for the Christian woman is learning from women who have gone before her. I’m so thankful for the women who have taught and mentored me along my path. And I’m thankful for the wisdom my daughters have gleaned from the experiences of Christian women in their lives.

Here’s an interesting thought: what would your life look like if no woman had gone before you? I vividly remember being pregnant with my oldest child and thinking, “I don’t know if I can do this.” I was walking through a mall, and suddenly I started looking at everyone around me and reasoned, “Every one of these people was born. They all had mothers. They all grew up. And if they were okay, maybe the child growing in me will be alright. And maybe, like millions of moms before me, I can do this, too.” Those thoughts gave me comfort. But they also led me to think, what if I was the first?

We don’t know a lot about Eve, but we do know that she was the first woman created on earth and that no other woman came before her. Did Eve know what was happening to her body when she got pregnant? Did she know how long the pregnancy would last? What did she think when she looked at her newborn in her arms without having anyone around who could relate to her or give her advice?

Genesis 2:18 tells us that Eve was created by God to be a helper for Adam. This word “helper” comes from the Hebrew word ‘ezer, which may be understood a bit differently today than how it was originally intended. We often think of a helper as subservient to the one who is being helped. But the word ‘ezer is most often used in the context of one who is uniquely qualified to offer assistance and come alongside someone, complementing the individual as a partner. In fact, most times in the Bible, the word ‘ezer is linked to the help that we receive from God Himself. (“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.” Psalm 33:20 NIV) God created Eve to be a helper to Adam. She was uniquely qualified to work with Adam – she was, in fact, united to him. (Gen 2:24) And the experiences that she was to go through would qualify her to teach and lead those who would come after her.

We often focus on the fact that Eve was tricked by the serpent and fell to temptation by eating the fruit that God had forbidden her to eat. She gave the fruit to Adam to eat too, and together, they hid from God, afraid because they were naked. We certainly shouldn’t ignore the fact that this first sin led all humanity down a dark path. However, we must also remember that although the repercussions of that sin still resound today, God showed Eve His grace by making clothing for her by killing an animal and using its skin to cover over her nakedness and shame. And then God further gave His protection by sending the couple from the garden so that they would not eat from the tree of life and therefore live in their sin forever separated from God. (Genesis 3)

Eve may have been the first woman to sin, but she was also the first woman to receive God’s grace and protection.

Eve experienced heartbreak when her children turned against each other and her second born, after killing his brother, moved far from the family. Was Eve separated from her grandchildren? The Bible isn’t clear. We do know that Eve held close to God through the turmoil, whom she credited with the gift of her son Seth to replace her firstborn. (Genesis 4)

What can we learn from Eve, our original matriarch? First, we learn that God creates us all with a specific purpose in mind and gifts us for the task. Eve, created to be the “helper” for Adam, was never intended to be subservient but to fill a role that she was uniquely qualified to handle. Like Eve, you have been created for a purpose and are uniquely qualified for that purpose. Don’t ever doubt that God crafted and placed you where He wants you to be.

Second, we learn that God is our strength. Eve had no one to pave the path, break the glass ceiling, or guide her through life experiences. But Eve always knew she could depend on God – to cover her shame, protect her from eternal damage, and stay by her side when the going got tough. Like Eve, God is your strength and your guide. He will never leave you alone.

And third, we learn that part of our purpose is to pour into other women in our lives. Although Eve had no mentor, through her, God created a fellowship of women meant to serve Him and serve each other. (Titus 2:3-5) Like Eve, part of your calling is to pass on what you have learned to others. Will you join me in asking God how to be a blessing to other women, that we might perpetuate the line of mentorship that originated with Eve? Let’s ask God to show us who He is calling each of us to guide, lead, listen to, or encourage.

Like Eve, you are uniquely qualified, anointed, and positioned for the task!

Julie Jenkins

Teaching and Curriculum Leader julie@womenworldleaders.com

Jesus at the Center of Our Lives

WHEN GOD BUILDS YOUR HOME

I watch the sun setting from my third-floor apartment window, as it starts to slowly fade behind the palm trees and then quickly disappears—the light from the Lord piercing and flooding in.

These are holy moments— glimpses of heaven that if we blink too fast, we will miss.

Lean into them, soak them in.

You don’t have to look too far to see God. And once you start looking, you’ll find Him everywhere—in every miracle and every mundane moment.

“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” (Psalm 65:8 NIV)

And I’ve seen His light flood the darkest of situations and circumstances. Some of the most significant ministry is done within these four walls. Where strangers have become sisters, and brokenness has become building blocks. Where tears have turned into testimonies, and pain has been transformed into purpose.

Making a home with what God has given us now, as we look towards our perfect heavenly home that is awaiting us. We may not think we have much to offer, but the Lord will use our little, as we open our homes and our hearts to one another. Lives built on the foundation of Christ, that will not crumble and fall when the storms come. Homes filled with love, laughter, and peace in the midst of chaos and trouble.

Simple, but not always easy.

Where mistakes will be made, but perfection isn’t required and grace is given. Covered in God’s goodness, alongside so many precious prayers. With an open door to all, and great conversations over a good meal. Where people can encounter the presence of the Lord, and leave different than when they came. Where people can sit with their Savior, and lament with their Lord.

A home full of “hallelujahs”…

Lauren Elizabeth Dean

Business and Missions Leader lauren@womenworldleaders.com