Dear Woman in Ministry,

I see you.  Though it doesn’t matter if I do or not, I do.  More importantly, God sees you and is cheering you on.  He will never leave you or forsake you, His grace is sufficient, and He is routing for you.

I am ashamed to say, yet with some relief, that as a fellow woman in ministry I do not fully understand the hurt and wounds that you possess. I do not fully understand the doubt and even rage that goes on inside your mind. I have been fully accepted by my fellowship, congregation, and my male co-horts as a female minister.  However, as with anything, I am sure my time will come.  In the meantime, God sees your pain, and He desires to heal.

Sure, I have wounds.  I have hurts just like any male or female pastor in ministry, but I have not been blasted with, “You can’t.”  I have never been told, “You’re not allowed.”  It has only been the enemy that has placed those thoughts in me. I have never questioned women ever being able to accomplish anything.  Even in my early days as a Christian I had a female youth pastor.  She rocked the pulpit on Wednesday nights and even on Sunday mornings when the lead pastor was on vacation. I knew women could lead.

Because of this I never understood why women, Christian and non-Christian, were so angry all the time.  But, I’m beginning to understand the manifestation that is anger, and the hurt that is underlying deep inside many women’s hearts. Women have been rejected and pushed aside since the Garden. When God asked Adam why he ate of the fruit, his response was, “It was the woman you gave me.”  *crush* And the pattern continues.

I am not saying men do not suffer rejection and hurt, what I am saying is a woman’s hurt is different.  Though it may be different, God desires to heal is the same.

Ladies, we have a choice with our hurt and pain.  We can recognize that God sees us, desires to heal, work towards that healing, and receive victory- OR- we can allow our rejection and hurt to manifest its ugly head and cause us to be a ‘thorn in the side’ of our men. God has called us to work together; if that is our calling, then that calling needs to be answered.

Through the years Christians (and non-Christians) have tried to put women in a box. I am so thankful for the Bible that does not do this. I’m thankful for the Bible that liberates us and for the many examples He has given us. Leaders, pastors, stay-at-home moms, entrepreneurs, tent makers, shepherdesses, and so many more.  Those around us may put us in a box, but God doesn’t.

Though it is easy for me to say because my wounds do not equal yours, choose victory today. Choose victory over your wounds.  Choose to have God come and heal the brokenness in your heart. Forgive those that have brought you hurt and move forward with what God has called you to. All women and men have disadvantages in their lives, use those disadvantages to bring about advantage.

So, Woman in Ministry, I see you.  And I pray your wounds would heal so you may move forward in power and anointing.

Love,

Another Woman Cheering You On

PRAY WITH ME SISTERS

“Lord, I ask and pray that you would place your loving hand upon my heart.  Heal the wounds and clear my scars. I forgive those that have hurt me, whether intentional or unintentional. I choose today to move forward as a victor.  Though more wounds are coming because we live in a fallen world, I pray you would give me thick skin and a tender heart.  Help me as you develop my thick skin to also love radically for the people you have called me to shepherd. I come against any unforgiveness and bitterness that would seep into my heart and manifest in an ugly way.  Help me love with compassion and action. In Jesus name, AMEN.”