I’m really ticked. I just ran into a beloved little sister in the faith on my way to work when I stopped off at a grocery store to grab a few things. She and her family are nearly being eaten alive by the enemy. Honestly, we stood right there in plain sight near the vitamin aisle and ratted on the devil and shook the family tree for some fresh truth. As big tears rolled down those cheeks, she said one thing so emphatically that it seared straight into my bones:
“I was just thinking about you this morning, Beth. And I’ve just gotta know: have you been here?”
Where exactly did she mean by here? In that place where the enemy seems to leave NOTHING untouched. Nothing unmangled by his crushing iron jaw. The scene of the onslaught. Where Satan seems to systematically and patiently and daily and hourly go for you – heart, soul, and body, and for everything and everyone you hold dear, and for all you know – that you know – that you know you believe. That season where you can’t seem to recover because every time you start to get back up, something knocks you down again. That season that you really do begin to believe will absolutely kill you…and, in some respects, it does. It kills the old you. If allowed to, it stones to death the Goliath within every David, one welting throw after another. Welcome to the sifting zone where Satan gets so much leash that he rips to bloody shreds everything he can get his paws on…but what is really real. What is really left behind when we are stripped bare of all our earthly security and fleshly confidence.
Have I been there, my beloved little sister?
Let’s see. How loud can I say this?? I HAVE BEEN THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BOY, HAVE I EVER BEEN THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And part of me survived. And part of me died.
And the part of me that died, as painful as it was, needed to.
And when it tries to resurrect it’s ugly, deformed, decayed head, I remind it that it is dead, lest it need another killing. Because I don’t want another killing.
I don’t mean my baffling tendency to sin is dead. I deal with that old nature everyday. I can still – almost out of nowhere – vacillate furiously between self-love and self loathing until I’m so dizzy I could regurgitate. But that joint victim and victimizer in me, that violent inner working nurtured at the breast of deceit and raised in sickness with a bent on self-destruction, took what still appears over many years to be a fair beheading.
YES. I have been there. And it was so awful I still well remember almost to the detail. And this morning I was glad I did because my little sister in the faith – a MIGHTY woman of God – needed to hear it.
I got in that car so mad at the enemy and at this brazen, hateful world that I made a bee-line straight to work and clicked the words “new post.”
Big sisters, our little sisters need some encouragement. They need to know we’ve been where they are. Even if they’re not in a season of hell on earth. Maybe their house just smells like one huge dirty diaper. Maybe they just need a nap. Maybe they need a job. God alone knows exactly and truly what they need from Him but this WE can know they need from us: encouragement! And, by God (and I mean that), we are going to give it to them.
Here’s what we’re going to do today. You who are 39 and under get to tell us where you could use some encouragement. You who are 40 and older and willing are going to give it to them. Here’s how it’s going to look:
If you are 39 or younger, you’re going to start your comment with “Your little sister here: …”
If you are 40 or older, you’re going to start your comment with “Your big sister here: …”
Here are the ground rules: (I’m going to warn you. When I’m furious, I can get into a bossy frame of mind and I’m there right this second. But, look at it this way. I’m beside myself in your behalf so humor me.)
Little sisters, don’t snow ball with every irritating, annoying, frustrating thing or relationship in your life. Get pretty quickly to the bottom line. I’m thinking about someone I really do love so much and want to encourage and help when at all possible but her emails to me are so long and about so many things going wrong and so many people going awry that by the end of it, all I can do is throw up my hands and say, “I am so overwhelmed, I have no idea where to begin!” Try, as much as you know how to tell us, to articulate what is really wrong. The real bottom line. Also, please look throughout the post for encouragements that may help you and keep in mind that what the big sisters write to one, they extend to all. Don’t be offended if no one speaks directly to you. Every encouragement is meant for every one of you.
Big Sisters, today is for encouraging our little sisters and that’s all. I know you have problems because I’m about your same age and I have a truckload of them. But you and I have lived long enough to know that we’re going to make it and that God IS going to be faithful and He is INDEED going to bring beauty from ashes and He will most certainly, given enough time, work every single detail out for our good and His glory. No complaining from us today. This post is a N0-Whine zone for big sisters. Life and the devil are eating our baby sisters alive. Let’s GET UP in their behalf, encourage them, and draw out our swords and fight for them. As often as you can, make your comment to all of them instead of just in reply to one of them. There will be exceptions, of course, but it’s crucial that we edify them across the board. They could all use it. You can talk to them or pray for them in your comment. Both are so Biblical and so right.
Now, listen, Little Sisters. One more thing from Big Sister with the big mouth. Get your tails in the Word. I mean it. Get your tails in the Word. NO TIME OFF. Read it aloud when you can’t absorb it or concentrate on it. Get yourself some accountability. Call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised and so shall you be saved from your enemies. Every morning.
One last thing. I left my beloved little sister with an assignment this morning and with the accountability to let me know she’s doing it. I’m going to give you little sisters who are feeling devoured the exact same one: memorize Psalm 25. Every word of it. Don’t tell me you can’t. Yes, you can. Get it printed out, laminate it, and memorize it. Say it over and over and over again. Start today. We can cheer you on and we can fight for you but we can’t fight instead of you. This victory is YOURS. The battle is meant to bring plunder directly to your personal life and family line or God wouldn’t have allowed it. Get up and fight.
Psalm 25.
I mean it.
I’m going to be asking you about it.
OK. I’m sorry for the bossy tone but I am so mad on behalf of you, our baby sisters, that I’m bruising this keyboard.
Now get busy, Girls. I have to be out of the office for a little while several times today so if we go a few hours without any comments moderated, have no fear, I’ll get back to it and get your encouragements posted.
I love you.
Your little sister here…I never really believed or knew that anxiety was a real thing until a few years ago. The enemy sneaks up on me with it mostly in the middle of the night and sometimes in broad daylight. Recently my husband and I had a baby. A very, special “surprise” baby and we are insanely happy and crazy about him but the enemy keeps trying to steal my joy by causing worry and dread about this illness or that problem with me or this precious child. My husband and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary, we have 3 teenagers and a 3 month old! I am so happy that it scares me. Does that make sense to anyone?
Little Sis here…I’m in my early 30s and recently out of a relationship that I had hoped would lead to marriage. The relationship ended with him choosing to marry another girl. My belief in God’s sovereignty should be a comfort to me in the midst of this heartbreak. However, instead of being able to trust that this relationship was not God’s best for either of us, I struggle with feeling like I was the one who wasn’t good enough–so God picked the other girl for him. I see my own sin and my own struggles, and I wonder if maybe I wouldn’t be a good wife or a good mother. It’s not that I think marriage completes us, but the way that this relationship ended (with two girls being compared) has stirred up so many of my deepest insecurities. I just want to be able to embrace God’s plan for me–whether that includes marriage or singleness–and fully trust that He loves me, has chosen me, and has His very best in mind for my life too.
Oh the heartache in these situations. I am so sorry. My first response is to know there is someone better but when you are in the middle of this the physical and emmotional pain is real. Draw closer to God…cling, grab, hang…don’t let go! Don’t text, dial or email the man….be strong! Hope you have a good support system of friends and family to keep you busy and to make you laugh! I am praying for you!
Little sister here! I am a 32 year old mom of 3 and I am struggling with my ability to be a mom.
My mother did not raise me, my grandmothers did and I have never had a very close relationship with my mother. I have had to set firm boundaries with her because of some of her life choices and my children do not go to her house and she does not see them often. I find myself more guarded than I feel like I should be around my own kids. Some days I’m not sure how to love them or feel like I am not doing a very good job. I’m terrified when they grow up, we won’t have a good relationship especially with my two girls (6&2).
I need to hear from a mom whose kids are grown. I need to hear that my kids aren’t going to not want to be around me. I need to know we’ll have a good relationship when they are grown and it’s my turn to be grandma.
Slow down. Don’t think so far ahead! Enjoy the moments you have and be willing to apologize and forgive yourself. I had a very hostile relationship with my mom and have always lived in the fear of repeating the same scenario with my children. I have 7 and I have blown it so many times!! Oh , so many but the difference is I can admit to my children my errors and they always know that I love them unconditionally! Really, just take one day at a time…your kids love you so much! Take time every day to ask God for guidance…sometimes it’s every other minute!!! You are loved! Love yourself!
Big sister here! Jennifer I just had to reply to you personally. I too, never had a close relationship with my mother. She was ill and passed away when I was 20. I never really felt loved by her. When I had my own children, I was determined that they would not grow up feeling their mother did not love them. They are all grown now, and my daughter is expecting my first grandchild in 2 months. The absolutely most important thing I believe is that you show them your love. With hugs and kisses and “I love you”s, especially those two girls. My daughter and I went through a rocky time when she was young, but now we are sooo close. When she first went away to college she said the thing she missed most about home was me kissing her goodnight. I talk to her almost every day and even though I see her often, she always says “Mom, I miss you!” I felt a connection with you when I read your post, and I am here to tell you that yes, one day you can have the relationship you desire with your grown children. Build the foundation now, a little bit at a time, every day. And one day you will be able to look back and see how all the little things added up. I would love to talk with you more. And here’s a BIG HUG from a big sister!
My daughter is now 10 and I felt the same way when she was younger. My mom was “emotionally unavailable” so I had to figure a lot of stuff out myself. I find that my daughter wants to be close to me and it blows my mind! That you are aware of the dysfunction of your past and are concerned about changing it is the first step. With God and awareness of how you are living, you’ll make the adjustments you need. And best of all, your kids will take all that good one step further.
BIG SISTER HERE!! I have SO been there!! The end of Psalm 25 was the cry of my soul in 2006. Utterly discouraged and depressed I shared it with my sisters and they prayed. The very next morning I woke up because someone was talking…. yes, it was me! my spirit was interceding for others in my sleep!! I was praying in my sleep! I got up with this feeling that I was in a completely different country, a country with clarity and peace. My burden of 25 years had been utterly removed and joy and strength was the order of my life!
Psalm 40:1-3 was what my precious Redeemer and Rescuer gave me:
I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclied to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock,
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth-
Praise to our God;
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.
Be encourage my little sisters, The Lord OUR God our Father will never leave you.
Wait on Him and devour His Living Word!!
Arm yourselves my fellow sisters!! and know that you are Loved beyond what you imagine!
Little Sister here…I just had my 16 year anniversary with my husband last week. Two years ago I had decided that I was going to divorce him. There has been infidelity, pornography and he has never been there for me. I asked God what I was to do and once I decided to get a divorce, I felt so free, relieved. However, he and my children begged me to stay in the marriage and try Marriage Coaching through the church. I have to say that I felt the Holy Spirit move through me and into our marriage! Husband found God, read from the bible and tried to lead our family. We had a COMPLETE turn around. I grew up in a dysfunctional home with an alcoholic mother and he with an alcoholic father so neither one of us know what a healthy marriage looks like. But we had found it. I began to trust him for the first time in my life and trust God that it was OK, safe to do that. But then…he admitted to me that he had had an inappropriate relationship with a friend on facebook and old habits have returned on both our parts. Trust is GONE. I had decided that the devil was posing as God 2 years ago, telling me it was ok to leave, but here I am again in the same spot. Is it the devil again? Or is it OK to go? Does God REALLY want me to settle? I have worked SO HARD and am SO TIRED of living as roommates, trying to be friends and being so lonely. There is a lot more to this story, but I am searching for the bottom line…it’s a start.
Little sister here.
I’m coming up on my suicide ideation anniversary. God has brought me SO far in the last year, and I praise Him for that!, but I’m anxious about the next few weeks.
Even though I too am a little sister, I’ve been there. And I want you to know that you can survive these next few weeks and beyond. When I was in college I was consumed with depression, and found myself in a dark pit on the verge of slitting my wrists, but had the courage to seek treatment. But treatment wasn’t enough. I had always know of God, but I wasn’t walking with Him. I felt betrayed by some things that happened in a past church, and felt angry about it, but God wrapped His big ol’ hands around me and yanked me out of that darkness, and once He does that, you NEVER have to go back, so don’t! You have a purpose and destiny, and those fears, those whispers of how you are worthless and better off dead, that you should have done yourself in long ago are LIES. You are precious, more valuable than rubies, and have so much to live for.
You see, I believe that when the devil tries so hard to cut our lives short, it’s because he’s afraid of us. You’ve got a lot for him to be frightened of, instead of him frightening you.
You have made it through a year without harm, and God’s love for you is as strong as ever. Jesus himself promises that in John 10:10 when he said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (NLT) So don’t let that big ol’ sissy satan steal your peace and life, and stand firm on Jesus’ promises for you, for they are greater than you could ever imagine!
Marie- i want you to know i am praying for you. I want you to know how thankful i am that you are alive and remember that the Lord loves you and fights for you. Praying strength, peace, and new beginnings for you!
Hello Siestas! I’ll be memorizing Psalm 25 using CEB version
Little sister here:
God saved me in the midst of a consuming relationship with bulimia/anorexia .. He began to pull me out of the pit the following year when I finally turned to Him and gave Him control over it (the “secular” world was telling me I might struggle with it forever and that made me mad! No one is born an addict/bulimic/whatever, we are recoverable!). I held on to bits of it, however, and now am back at square one. I am scared. I rebelled, I did A LOT of backsliding, it was excruciating to kill the sin/self life feeding all the habits and now it’s like I’ll have to go back through it all over again.. and I feel so ugly. I feel like a lot of what I’d like comfort for deserves a “toughen up, you deserve it, get over it” rather than grace and kindness. To me, that looks like a realistic assessment: I recognize that I’m pitiful and whiny and immature and annoying, that I don’t deserve that grace and kindness, and yet I want it, but if I don’t deserve it .. do you see what I am trying to explain? I’m scared to be weak. Why would God ever care about this? I deserve no mercy or benevolence .. Does anyone know what I’m trying to express and what the truth is to that?
Actually a little sister here…..but I just wanted to say that GOD DOES CARE…he cares more than you will ever know or understand. It breaks His heart to see you do through this and he has made a way out for you…
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”( 1 Cor. 10:13).
I have gone through most of my battling the temptations of the enemy that started when I was young. At one point I thought that I had conquered my demons but it to only last about a year. Without knowing it my insecurities slipped in and took over and it was back again. On and off again for the next 9 years I battled. I had good moments then I would crash and burn hard. Then I would feel condemned and unworthy. They I would finally give into God again only to have it happen again. I thought that this was the way it way going to be for the rest of my life, BUT I WAS WRONG. On my 28th birthday this year I decided that it was enough. I decided that God was bigger than my problem and that I could not do it on own or in my own strength.
Get in the word and don’t focus on problem. Let Him renew your mind in this area DAILY.”Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2).
One thing that has worked for me also is asking God to show you what are the triggers because if you cut it off at the beginning you can cut the path that leads sin. Once you recognize the triggers you can change the situation. Ask God for help. He is so willing to help you. And don”t be ashamed…No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame(Psalm 25:3) Be encouraged and know that God loves you so much!
Big Sister here… although still dealing with major issues from when I was a little sister. My family has been through the wringer for many years, but God is faithful. I have learned that although there are times when we have done no wrong, even as Christians, we do not always win. That was a hard battle to endure, but it came down to where else would I go? Or to whom? Jesus is my Savior, God is my Father- in the good times and in the bad- whether He answers my prayers in the way I want Him to or not. It is indeed a hard lesson to learn, but one that will remain with you and give you peace in the midst of the trials.
Now from my Little Sister years and counting… how does one deal with the betrayal, back stabbing, and shunning of one’s very own children- from not just one, but both of my daughters, several years apart. It is the tale of a mother’s worst nightmare, and I still have no resolution many years later. It is a grief like unto death. Pat answers don’t comfort- they have free will, so only time will tell if they will repent before Christ and turn to Him- if they will once again hearken to what they have been taught since small.
I have such a mother’s heart and long for spiritual daughters, even as I long for the return of my own. And although I never thought I would have a positive to thing to say about it, I am happy to know the child I lost in a miscarriage so long ago will be waiting for me in Heaven- I call that one my perfect child- since it was raised by Jesus!
Keep on keeping on in Christ!
Big sister here – (but some days it’s only because of age!). After reading all these posts, I am in tears of joy and pain for each of us. Oh, how the trials of this world rip us apart at times and pruning really hurts, but our God is FAITHFUL and JUST!!! I am so very thankful that my God is not governed by my emotions. Just because I don’t ‘feel’ like God is right here beside me doesn’t make it true! That’s just one of many, many lies the deceiver tells us. God is here, right here beside me and right there beside you and He is whispering in our ear (oh, learn to be still and know that He is God because, if you don’t, you will miss His whispers!) reassuring us of His love and His protection and His presence, right here beside us. All I know to do most days is to just put one foot in front of the other because it’s all I have strength for… but you know what? That’s all He asks of us!!!! Put one foot in front of the other, walking in HIS footsteps, and He will lead us and see us through this maze of life. “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil because YOU are with me.” I WILL walk through the valley and I will choose not to set up camp and stay there… This has been a God-appointed moment for me to read this blog tonight. I needed this reminder today! I needed to be reminded to be still and to not set up camp and to remember that I do not fight this fight alone! Thank you Beth, for your faithfulness in leading us and thank you to each beautiful soul who has shared in honesty and with pain. Mostly, thank You, Sweet Jesus for always hearing our cries and for always answering us when we call on Your name! I will be praying for each of us.
Dear Big Sister,
Ive been praying for a Big sister. For years now. Im (barely) a little sister, but I need your wisdom and encouragement.
I have 4 precious babies (ages 9 to 2), and I was FULL OUT in life, marriage, ministry, and neglecting myself completely. The Lord in His goodness has brought me into a place of rest, and I stepped down from leading women’s ministry at our church. Yes, I was a young leader, but I know I was called for a season. I got the ministry started, now Ive passed the baton.
I am finding joy again in my family, and caring better for myself.
But I have this nagging question: WHEN, LORD? HOW?
I desire to teach the Bible, to lead, to encourage fellow believers… I know my calling, and I ask the Lord, “How do I be faithful TODAY, yet prepare for TOMORROW?”
Little sister here…my husband told me two days ago he doesn’t want a child/ children. I’m 29. We have been married nearly 3 years. I’m still in this grey cloud…not believing. All my life, this was the one thing I was certain I wanted , to be a mommy. Before I married my husband I made certain we wanted the same things. He has always known my desire to have a family….I haven’t told my parents yet, nor friends…I have an amazing mom…I just can’t imagine not sharing my life with our unborn children, like my mom shared hers with me and my 2 sisters.
Little sister here…with two young kids and 13 yrs into marriage, finding myself faced with a husband’s pornography addiction that I thought we defeated 8 yrs ago. Trying desperately to not let myself make that tally sheet of my inadequacies, because in this moment I don’t see an end to the list.
Little sister here… I’ve been married for a year to a wonderful man. I’m 30 and my husband is 26. Our biggest struggle has been his parents. I quickly learned that their actions don’t back up their words. They’ve told me countless times how much they love me, how important I am, how they desire friendship with me, and how I have just as significant a place in the family as anyone. But when my mother-in-law and I talk, she goes over my head and gets my husband involved. And my father-in-law treats me like I’m a kid. My perspective isn’t shared by anyone else in my new family. My mother and father-in-law are just always catered to and no one thinks twice about it. I get that family is there for family, but I just feel like I’m disrespected and no one is listening or taking me seriously. When I’ve explained my feelings to my husband he is understanding but always shocked and never knows how to put his foot down with them because he doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. And boy do they make him feel bad when he says no to them!
I have been questioning my motives and pleading for Jesus to show me where I’m lacking in this. And I’m coming away from most prayers feeling 100% assured that my husband and I need to set some boundaries with his parents. I know that my husband is my protector and he is the only one who can really make a difference when he speaks to them. I know it’s only been a year, too! But this is the first time in my life where I can’t go to the person I have a problem with and handle it like adults. They don’t think they are doing anything wrong. Have any big sisters been here? What do I do? How should I pray for this specifically? And how the heck do I do this in a godly way?
Little sister here … the past few months of my life have been the hardest and darkest of my life.. severe depression and anxiety have taken hold and won’t let go. My best friend and mentor, chose this time to walk away from our relationship even as she knew that I was struggling. I’m in counseling and have started taking medicine for the depression – while the outside pain isn’t so stingy – my heart still feels like it’s in pieces. Every time I go to pick up the word, I struggle to get through a verse. I feel as though I can’t shake Satan as hard as I try and I’m just tired of the attacks and I’m tired of my heart aching.
Little Sister here,
My sister who is 27 years old was recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. She is a strong woman who loves the Lord but, is understandably down and very discouraged. Not only does this evil disease affect her body/health but, her marriage and career.My father found out 3 months ago that he has a brain tumor. He will return to the doctor next month to see if there has been any growth to the tumor and will proceed from there with treatments. I feel so helpless knowing that two of the most important people in my life are sick,scared, and physically, there is nothing that I can do to help them. I know that my Savior is Mighty and completely capable of healing them both! Please please join me in prayer for them both for a great healing and encouragement!! Also for my sweet mother,she is so strong but she too is human and in great need of encouragement. Thank you in advance and God bless you all!
I’m Rebecca from post 651 i am blessed by the love that you big sisters has shown. as I read my little sisters post my heart hurts for them so. I want to get this out there for anyone that thinks that God can not save them. that they are to far gone. I am trying to deal with my past but I want just say this i know god loves me. I have bad days and I have angry even to God. he knows i do. big sisters and little sister. please know that i have been through it all. sexually abuse never remember not being. raped from the age of 12 to 15 pregnant and a abortion. nervous break down at 16. abusive relationship’s.Miscarriage’s, homeless, drug abuse, gay relationship. that is just my first 20 years. SO can God save anyone? yes he reached for me. I am not in therapy because God will not forgive me cause he does he has. I am in it because I can’t forgive myself. I have a problem with admitting i was a victim. I don’t know how to feel most of the times. nightmares fills my nights. but I Love my God. there is no reason I am alive today except By Gods grace. I don’t want one human being to think they are to bad for god to reach. I didn’t want to be reached for a long time I ran away from God he could love me he didn’t love me ( i thought) . Look at my life. I asked him to stop the abuse and he didn’t. I ran from him . but when I was to tried to run anymore. someone had sowed the seed of Jesus’s love in me and he helped it take root and if i was not to far gone NO ONE is. I just felt that I needed to say this no one is to far gone. some days i need to remember that myself cause i have my really bad days. it much Easier to stop and hide then to face it and work thought the feelings. I still want to give up on days. I don’t want to deal with the past but I have to cause I want to be healed. But see god promise me that the work he started in me that he will finish. He helped me to not give up this time by the big sister/little sister post. there is so many that needs prayers. this little sister is ready to stand back up. thank you for being there for me. Thank you for lifting me up to our father. Big sisters I love you guys and I am praying for you also. this is what living is about helping each other. Going to our father on behalf of our sisters in Christ. I love you sisters.
Beth- thank you this post has helped me so much cause could know how much and I am taking the advise of my big sisters. I never had someone that I could go to about God. I can feel the prayers that my beloved sisters in Christ has and is praying. my heart is over filled tonight.
To all of you little sisters out there who feel like you are meeting yourself at the door coming in and going out; in addition to Psalm 25 that Beth mentioned, please keep the following verses in mind. This was part of a Bible study I am doing with Wendy Pope of Proverbs 31 Ministeries and it hit me right between the eyes today’
Psalm 127:1-2 (NIV)
Unless the LORD builds the house,
the builders labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the guards stand watch in vain.
In vain you rise early
and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat- (here it is!)
For He grants sleep to those He loves.
And since we know that God loves each and every one of us, if we will lean on Him and follow His leadership, He will give us the rest and sleep (blessed sleep!) we need.
Little sissy here.
I recently took on the challenge to memorize Psalm 25 and it has been so helpful, so if you haven’t yet.. do it! Also, if you could please be praying for me. I was recently sexually assaulted by a pastor (not my church pastor) and I know the Lord works all things for good, but it has made me afraid of church and trusting those in leadership. I love church and hearing the word SO much, but I am having a really hard time wanting to go to church now. I haven’t opened up about this yet, but I am going to talk to my mentor this week.. so please be in prayer for that too! Thank you siesta mama Beth and all you other siestas for all the posts that have been written!
Little Sister Here — lately I have found myself in a dizzying state of insecurity! Insecurity in my worthiness to even be a mom, much less a decent one; insecurity in my ability to be a friend to others and be wanted as a friend; insecurity in my faith…that what I have heard from God in regards to my calling was all in my imagination, that my marriage will ever find the passion it started with again twelve and a half years ago, that I will feel passionate love for my God that consumes all of me and cannot be shaken (I had that and seem to have gone all mellow in it), that I will ever truly make it to freedom living…Insecurity…and deep down I have such a passion for God and this drive to fight that I KNOW this is all an attack of the enemy…yet there are times when I just want to cave to it all because I am so tired and can hardly process one thought to another, much less fight the sneakiness of the enemy. But I DO KNOW my God is good! I have been held by Him too closely to let go and will win this battle as Micah 7:8 “Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I hav efallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD with be my light.” May God bless us all as we endeavor to fight to hold on to the love of Christ, not the arrows of the enemy.
Little sister here!
I am stuck. I am so passionate about so very many things but utterly stuck and controlled by fear.
I am in love with a wonderful guy who is not a believer. I never thought it would evolve into what it has, but, well..it has. It has been years of emotional drain trying to let go and coming back to it. All the while, my strongest desire is for him to know the Lord yet i am laden with guilt for the way i have squandered so much time not trusting the Lord with it entirely. I do not want to hurt the man i love and i want to support him, he has experienced a lot of rejection and criticism from his mother and to know that me ending things would send a message of “you aren’t good enough” just kills me. I am terrified of making a wrong decision especially in this area of my life. I am terrified of hurting him. I am terrified of giving this up and never finding other love. Want i want more than anything is to be a wife and a mama. I go back and forth with no real idea of what it is God is wanting me to do and how i am to navigate the chaos. I’m exhausted.
In the midst of this, i’ve also watched my dearest friend struggle with suicidal thoughts (and attempts), self hatred and deep depression for years on end. I’ve prayed days and nights and it wears on your faith to see suffering without relief. I have seen some incredibly dark places in this situation and have watched her almost die. She is precious and has this burden on her life after years of abuse as a child that was (obviously) not her fault. Trying to rescue is my natural tendency but being powerless in this circumstance is so hard. I long for her to be free. She is amazing.
Lastly, i can FEEL what it is God made me for and wants me to do, yet i am so stuck. It does not seem like there is any path towards what and where i feel he wants me to be. I am yearning for this. My dad, who was my best friend, died several years ago and i’ve spent most of this decade grieving, recovering, and now ready for a new beginning. I think my love life situation is made harder by this as well, i yearn for my dad’s insight on this guy i love.
My biggest fear is that life will always be more of the same, it will never change, it will just keep getting miserable, and more lonely, from here on out. That i will live in regret. That none of my dreams will come true. That i will keep feeling more and more disillusioned. Please pray for me, i don’t want to waste my time in fear.
Loving Big sis here. Jess, when we love each other as family, we have to speak the truth in love. I want to tell you to run as fast as you can away from your current relationship. You don’t have to feel guilty about needing a life time partner who shares your passion for Jesus Christ and believes in Him. You have bonded with someone you feel responsible for. You cannot make someone else happy. Perhaps the most loving thing you could ever do for him is to say to him that Christ is your First Love and you need that in your future husband’s life. In the long run, you will be constantly frustrated if you marry an unbeliever. I truly believe that some unbelieving and hypocritical men attach themselves to good, godly women to lure them away from Christ. So many of our foundational beliefs revolve around TRUST, TRUTH and OBEDIENCE to our HOLY GOD. Whatever in the world do you have in common in these foundational beliefs with a man who won’t follow Jesus? Who won’t submit to Jesus?
If you were already married to an unbeliever, my words to you would be to pray, pray, pray. But since you are not married yet, my words to you are to run, run, run!
Choose today to take God at His Word and flee from being unequally yoked with an unbeliever. Don’t plan on changing him one bit! You have found an apparently safe relationship with this man…but what you really have is a foundation built on shifting sand. Don’t settle for that and don’t believe your heart. Your heart can deceive you. Follow Christ. Don’t worry about your boyfriend’s hurt feelings. I sense he is a trap…a net to entangle you. Follow Christ. Flee.
Set a boundary here. Your requirements for a future husband should start with any potential candidate to give your heart to should be a man who is passionate for his Jesus and shows respect towards women in his family. Test him good on those two integrity points.
Words of love to my little sister. Ask God to open your eyes and ears to hear Him speak TRUTH. I want you to have a green light when it comes to choosing your mate. All I see hear is a definite red light. It’s not even yellow…
ohhh she’s so right. RUN RUN RUN
Deborah.. your response means so much to me. Thank you for your bold encouragement. if you see this, would you mind me emailing you? if not, that is perfectly fine..but if you are okay with it i would love to talk a bit more about it. let me know, and regardless THANK YOU, and God Bless You!
Oh, Jess, you are welcome to email me. I’m not going to put my email on here like you would normally type it. Just know that all of these next words are typed together to be my address:
deborah
soars
@
gmail.
com
by the way..this guy is currently in the Holy Land with some people from his temple. no matter what should happen with “us”..pray that the Lord reveal himself to him and heal him..he is not a believer but he is very good and kind and searching, and has been incredibly encouraging to me, respecting my faith and always supportive in every way. thank you for the words and encouragement.
2 Corinthians 6:14 is the verse you need to really sink your teeth into. Read commentaries.
Remember Eve. It seemed so harmless to follow the lie she wanted to believe…that the fruit was good to eat and it would make her wise.
But God said, “No.”
If he doesn’t believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, then he is an unbeliever. Even if he is good and kind and supportive of your faith. None of that matters when it comes to our obedience. Either we obey God or we don’t. I’ve learned to trust God’s warnings. Sometimes they are just whispers. But scripture speaks loudly to us on this subject. Your compassion to see him come to Christ is good. But don’t try to fix him. Sometimes we make our choice when we choose to stay even though we KNOW better.
I really believe God has caused you to feel stuck. He wants you to obey Him.
A cherished sin is one we do because we want to, even though we know better.
I say all of this in love. Many others can testify to the seduction of marrying against God’s order. Many others can testify to the fact that the believer is usually damaged by being unequally yoked with an unbeliever.
And many women have married unbelievers believing they will change over time.
Advice is cheap. Encouragement really should be to cheer someone on to victory.
I pray he gets saved. But I KNOW you need to move out of this unequal relationship before it goes any further. That is TRUTH. Unequally yoked means linking oneself with an unbeliever. Seek God in what your next step should be. Study commentaries. Ask Christ to give you strength to put Him first in your heart.
Can you see any lies you may be believing here?
From one little sister to another,
I was in your very shoes just a year ago. I was with a young man whom I loved and had every intention to marry. He was a believer, but was not living in obedience to Christ. I had faith that God would “heal him,” of his sinful habits and that we would eventually live happily ever after. I even prayed “The power of a praying wife” over his life. “He had so much good in him, if only he could change I know we could be happy.” Sweet sister, all I felt was unease and distrust. I prayed my heart out to God over and over for him to give me peace and for Him to answer my never ending question, “Will I marry him Lord?” I thought I heard yes, but as time would reveal, God was protecting me in ways that I could not see. As these other women have given you advice to “RUN,” and as someone who is probably around the same age as you, I join in with them and urge you to let go and surrender Him to God. I ended up surrendering my relationship. My ex begged me to stay and even offered to go to counseling with me, but deep in my heart I did not have peace. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do, and it was the deepest heartache that I have ever had to experience. Even though I still have a wound there, Christ has completely redeemed this heartache for my good and for His glory. He will do the same for you. The pain will be real, but the sweetness of his redemption will outweigh your sorrow.
My advice to you is to follow where you have peace. If you do not have a deep inner peace in this relationship, then follow where there is peace. In my confusion God spoke so clearly to me, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying,This is the way; walk in it.”
Please contact me if you need someone to talk to: [email protected]. I will be praying for you.
Little sister here (for a few months…will be 40 in Dec.)… I am having an MRI of my brain tomorrow because I have had some tingling in my face. The neurologist thinks it is due to migraines & vitamin B & D deficiencies. This is my prayer & that the MRI will be clear. I have been attacked with fear over this, but God has given me peace. It is a peace that is beyond my understanding.
Hi, little sister here
Pray for my marriage.
That the lies of pornography and booze would be broken once and for all.
As I am typing this I am looking over my shoulder because I know my husband would cringe if he knew I was sharing this.
But I am sick and tired of feeling like this is what marriage is supposed to be like.
I am tired of feeling like I need to be like them for him to want to be with me.
Add of financial issues and a child with a broken leg…I just want to scream!!
Little Sister Here
How do you handle your friend’s insecurities? Balancing not allowing them to just stay there but not pushing them or hurting them?
As I read this post it brought tears to my eyes- I have been so overwhelmed by things for the past two years and have had so many things happen in my life- some by my own bad choices, that when you talk about how Satan can come in and try and destroy you heart, mind, and soul- it really hit me hard- I just started to cry. Its so hard to crawl out of that awful place and try and get up everyday and face the things you would rather not face, its hard to have an elephant hanging over your head and try to continue to have joy. Its hard trying to have the motivation to put one foot in front of the other sometimes. When I stop focusing on those things if even for a moment- I have peace and its that peace that I continue to long for everyday.
Big Sister here. God is good and always faithful to His word and promises. We will be celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary this September. I met and married him when I was not walking with the Lord but he is truly God’s great gift to me. We had a baby the next year and as soon as that boy was put in my arms, I had to cry out to the Lord and repent. I knew that I could never be a good mom to him unless the Lord showed me how. But we struggled in so many ways. My husband always believed in God and Jesus but for most of our lives he didn’t participate in the daily life of God and went in and out of church many times. I needed Jesus desperately in my life to show me the way. I needed the Holy Spirit to counsel and guide so I followed after Christ and pursued Christ even if it led to arguments. I spent lots of years bringing my kids to church alone. But God has been always working and doing marvelous things in our lives. Our last 3 years have brought about many physical problems for my husband. He has drawn close to the Lord during this time. He attends church and we pray at home. Two weeks ago I saw him write a note to himself in church “Why do I feel so bad in my body but so close to the Lord?”. He was having some surgery today and for the first time ever he prayed out loud for me. How many years and how many prayers have I prayed for him? It doesn’t matter because God is faithful. He kept us together through a lot of bad years and bad times. The Holy Spirit taught me to never say anything bad about my husband in church or small groups. I changed more and more as The Holy Spirit dealt with me. Now I am seeing a spiritual butterfly as the Holy Spirit is opening up my husbands cocoon. What a blessing to see God’s hand.
Little sister here,
This is my first time visiting the blog and appropriate timing at that. The enemy is attacking my life through and through. The major issue was enduring a still birth of my first baby girl in March. My grief is so strong even still that I don’t see how I can ever overcome.
In addition, I’ve been dealing with other major stressful life issues that are consuming my time and the little energy I have.
Please pray. I feel like I’m drowning yet I know Jesus is in the boat with me!
Father in heaven, we have all been touched to our toes by the sharing of life here…the good, the bad and the ugly. As a real-life big sis to these little sisters, the only counsel I have for them today is that You are the One who loves them more than any other…even more than the love a mother has for her child. I pray that as they feel loss, abandonment, fear, doubt, insecurity, guilt, grief, failure, anger, loneliness, shame, rejection, frustration, conviction, self-loathing, temptation, jealousy, discontent, pride, controlling, persecuted, and abused…and so many other things…that they would ask You to take all those thoughts and actions captive and replace those thoughts and actions with Your thoughts and actions towards them. Lord, You are the Answer to every need. Lord, Your love is a fountain over-flowing for your bride. And they are Your beautiful bride. You have washed their robe in Your precious blood and they are clothed in white…pure and spotless. Not because they are without sin, but because they have believed in You and turned to You for salvation. They are forgiven. Every day the battles continue. Wash their feet, Lord. Christ, be their Shield and Armor. Let Your Word come alive in their need. Bring other godly warriors alongside them to stand shoulder-to-shoulder against the enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy. If necessary for Your Glory, let them fight alone and slay Goliath. All it took was a sling and a stone hurled by a little boy with a Big God. Raise up warriors armed with Your Word, filled with Your Spirit, speaking out loud to the enemy, “No more.” The enemy is defeated. I pray that You would crush his head with Your burnished bronze heel. Crush him. Daniel 7. God, be our Amen. It is done. You are beautiful and You are worth every battle that we fight. Our weapons are not of this world. We lay down every weapon that the world uses and take up the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Sharpen us by day and fireproof us by night. Refine us. I thank You for sisters…big and little. I thank You for the brothers who will be touched by our calling. Courage is coming. It is here now. Breathe holy fire on us, Spirit. You are our Consuming Fire. Fill us with Grace, Mercy, Faith and Love. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Powerful Prayer! Right on, Deborah. I’ll carry this with me.
Lil’ Sis here –
I’ve been thinking about this blog all weekend…and as the usual procrastinating self, I’m posting now…
If anyone can, I would covet your prayers. I’m really going through a tough time of life and feel like each year I drop further “down” with discouragement and further away from God. I’ve walked with him since a kid…with lots of recommitments along the way. He has blessed my hubby’s job and finances aren’t a problem which I’m thankful for…but the downside is he is hardly home and after 10 years of this, I am getting to a point where I don’t really WANT him home anymore. I don’t like when he is home.
Disconnected.
That’s me. Not only with him, but I now see that I’m shut down from my 2 teens, my friends…my God. I just have no desire for “relationship” and feel stone cold. I just do. I just have my “to do” list and feel no fire for anything. I yearn for connection yet am repulsed by it too. Funny thing is, I think about connecting and I just don’t feel like anything in my small community is available anymore. People know of my husband’s success and tend to shy away from me. They don’t realize that it is awkward for me too – I grew up as a latchkey kid with a working mom who prayed for dinner on the table – which God would supply!
I had a mentor but she talks about others and I am worried that she will talk to others about me so I don’t trust her anymore! Maybe God is stripping all my friends away from me so that I just rely on Him? Please pray for my stone cold heart. Also, my alcoholic father who has been estranged from me since before my daughters were born made an awkward effort to apologize and I, THE “Christian” could barely even look at him though I acknowledged his effort. I still stood there emotionless. Yes, he acted more Christian than I. I see the blackness of my heart and wonder if I really live my faith. I’m afraid of the answer and afraid to “move”. Please pray. I’m just tired…
Little Sister here!
I’m 31, single and lonely. For some reason I am having a hard time keeping friends. I was homecoming queen in college and had a core group of great friends. Lately, everyone is getting married, and having babies. Never thought I’d be that girl. I’m not sure if this is a a stripping away of from God or if something is wrong with me. I just feel lonely, and I wonder if I’ll ever get married. Trying to stay encouraged, but it’s tough.
I am not a Little Sister by age, however, my walk with Jesus is young and, in many ways, very simple. My belief in Him is REAL based on my personal experiences WITH Him and I am breathing in and out each day purely by standing on His promises. I don’t consider myself a mighty woman of God, just a girl needing a Savior, that’s all. But I would like to be one and I think I NEED to be one because Satan’s attack on me has been brutal, crushing, heartbreaking, mind-blowing and, believe me, he is not letting go easily. I haven’t found any other word besides “broken” to describe how I feel during this dark time, however, Beth’s words fell on me today like a ton of bricks: “Welcome to the sifting zone where Satan gets so much leash that he rips to bloody shreds everything he can get his paws on but what is really real. What is really left behind when we are stripped bare of all our earthly security and fleshly confidence.” Isn’t it interesting that when all is gone, we have no choice but to run to Jesus? I am praying with all my might that as I look to Him for EVERYTHING, security and confidence as well, that He will leave me clean, pure and sifted, without all of the stuff that I knowingly and unknowingly accumulated along the way to this particular season of my life. I’m praying that He will leave me with what is REAL. That, in itself, will have been worth the journey.
Now, I’d better get out my Bible if I’m going to aim for mighty and begin with Ephesians 6 because the devil is simply NOT GOING TO WIN!! Keep me in your prayers as I keep you, as a community, in mine.
Love,
Gay
Gay you words is so much how i feel . Just wanted you to know that you are not a long i am not a mighty woman of god and Satan’s attack on me has also been brutal he is not letting up for a min. These are the things that I try to remember that if I was not any use to god then Satan would not be after me so bad. when i was lost in my sin Satan didn’t bother me much. as long as he is on my back i know that i am on the right road. I have been the child of god that would get close and then fell again back to sin and be so mad at myself. but each time that i fall i notice that i don’t stay down as long as before, and I pray that one day I wont fall. like a baby learning to walk. they always get back up and keep trying that is what we have to do. praying for you and all the sister.
Little Sister here in need of friends and fellowship. Not a sob story but brutal honesty … I really have no friends, no one to hang out with and It’s lonely. I do not fit in at church even though I attend each week.
Nordic Girl, I can be your email buddy if you like.;) Who knows, maybe we are even in the same city and could meet somehow.
[email protected]
little Siisters, the layers of our hearts that need to be peeled are seemingly endless, but God is a God of wisdom and not one layer is peeled by any other hand than His. One day I feel in step, abiding and the next hanging out on a limb of doubt and discouragement. BUT the longer I live the more I know that there is a way out of the deep dark forest of our thoughts, girls we think too much! The Lord is showing me today, after years of bible studies and reading His word, that I don’t know how to rest in his love…stop thinking so much….so off I go marching again and learning my next lesson in love….what our gracious God reveals to us is always glorified if we listen. Sometimes I feel as though the pain has no end and Jesus says, my love has no end, bring me your burdens…and I will give you rest. He will GIVE us rest, thank you Jesus.
Little sister here…
Finally standing up to my abusers to protect a new generation of kids that I dont want to see broken. Feeling like I am getting broke while doing it though. The road seems SO long and unbearably lonely.
i can relate to your feelings…getting away and breaking the chains takes so much courage. Remember just as the Lord told Joshua that the promised land was already won, they had to go and fight battle after battle to CLAIM what was given to them by the Lord Almighty. Sam here, I got away and it’s been 5years of letting God restore me to the person he originally made and it has been uphill but free. be patient with yourself, it takes time to learn to see the world and people without the fear and chaos. it takes time to remember who you were before the abuse and time to shed tears and grieve the hurt of not being cherished by an earthly person. all the while God in his sovereignty has been with you, cherishing you and is now ready to grow you up and restore what the locusts have eaten. watch for all the little ways he does this, it will mke you smile…..do not be afraid, have courage and guard your heart….be gentle with yourself….
One More Big Sis moment for me…
I remember the year 2003. That year God called me into full time volunteer leadership in women’s ministry. As a matter of fact I would go so far as to say I was drafted, literally conscripted into the ministry on that day.
From this I learned two things:
1. Older does not always mean chronologically older. It may indeed indicate spiritual maturity. (Kudos to the brave little sis’s who piped up with encouragement. Though my Belief generally does not advocate breaking the rules.)
2. Not to despise small assignments. My endeavor started by showing up on Sunday and Wednesday every week and writing encouragement notes to teenagers.
3. Don’t go it alone. Invite others into what God has called you to. We need each other – don’t get so wrapped up in doing it right you forget to reproduce yourself in others.
After inviting my pastor’s wife to join me so I would have weekly accountability in a Bible study that Summer she suggested we take the study to the church in the fall.
She offered that we would co-lead, but after a few weeks of managing the after school program and trying to pull together the Bible study mid-week she came to me and said she may have overextended and asked me if I would consider leading it regularly on my own.
I did so, thinking – I can make coffee and press play on the DVD player.
By the end of that year I was known as the women’s ministry leader in our church. By the next fall I planned and carried out a 1 day conference event for the ladies in our community and took the women on three trips out of town to large conference events in the four years I led.
I hesitated to call myself anything close to a minister or leader. I chose the title, “Women’s Ministry Administrator.” One night as I read and re-read Titus 2, I pictured the faces of the women in my Bible study group. 8 women most all of them decidedly older in years than I was at the time.
“God, this is not the Titus 2 model.” I said.
God must have chuckled at my prayer. “Daughter, sometimes it is not about the amount of time you have spent on this earth, but about what you’ve done with Me. You have something they need now go and give it to them.”
Perhaps it was passion and hunger for His Word, or just a steady and strong desire to make sure I filled in all my blanks each week. After all, leaders should not arrive at Bible study unprepared. I don’t know but what started out as a tiny women’s Bible study on Thursday nights where about 8 women showed up each week. To broad ministry and fellowship taking place throughout the year. We did two to three Bible studies a year for four years and took trips to shop and grow in the Word. I did not believe there was anything we could not do and pressed in hard trying to make sure what we set our hearts on happened. When we left that small congregation four years later there were 25 women attending regularly and they were doing the thing!
I don’t know how it happened, I just know it did. So when asked to step into a leadership role, pray and if God gives you the green light go until He hollers STOP!
You – each of you – no matter what age you are have something to offer to build the Kingdom of God on earth and to express the nature of God to a fallen and dying world. Mentor, serve in the kitchen, teach the children, teach your friends, just do it. God has a plan and He is calling you to step out by faith. He took a young woman struggling to find her way with Him and fit her for ministry some 9 years ago now. If He will do that for me – He will do that for you.
Get to IT!
Blessings, M
little sister.
trying to cope with the loss of several loved ones and my full time career in ministry {all of which happened in a couple months of each other}.
fighting tooth and nail to not go under the rejection of my church “family”, and back to the life of addiction i led just a few years ago].
making steps forward, but getting out of bed doesn’t always feel worth it. i know my feelings aren’t facts, but man do they hurt sometimes.
i guess i’m having a hard time just letting myself grieve and letting go.
in the end i know He will make all things work together for my good. could just use a little encouragement.
Little sister here: Wow this is what I have been asking for the past year! I was saved from very young but the enemy attacked me through people in the church and I strayed from God for a while, I came back to him a year ago and it has been this unbelievable onslaught ever since!
Partner and I broke up because of betrayal, company was stolen, family & friends, financially, physically through illness like cancer and attacks like break-ins etc. Overwhelming.
God has been so faithful in keeping my 8 year old son and I safe and providing but I am so tired as there hasn’t been a day that there is not something else that brings me crashing down and I despair of ever walking in victory and that I will never learn to walk in God’s rest, as just when I feel I am getting it, the next thing happens.
Middle Sister, here 6 months to 40.
I have been up way too late reading so many of these post. I have cried and my heart breaks for these women. I have been told by my long time therapist that I should write a book. I laughed! I grew up going to church 3 times a week, Christian school and have a amazing God fearing, spirit filled Mother to pray for me. I honestly would not be alive if not for her prayer and trust in God. Trying to shorten this will be tricky. I started public school in 9th grade, was innocent and naive about things in the world. My Sophmore year I was violently raped while walking to school. I struggled for so many years because of that. I turned my back on God, I thought he could have saved me and he did not.
I don’t want to ramble, felt I needed to explain why I have felt wrecked, alone, terrified, insecure etc… I recently was online looking at Beth’s books because I just finished “So long Insecurity”, needed another book in my quest to figure myself out. I stumbled on a website that has Mrs Beautiful Beth’s teaching in videos. Here is a link http://lifetoday.org/video/?search=Beth%20Moore. I watched “Wrecked but not Ruined” You will have to watch it or have seen it to understand, I no longer fear the wind and storms in life. I had my faith renewed by Beth’s fantastic way of telling a story I have heard so many times in the most mind blowing way!!!!! Jesus allows the storm and wind to happen in our lives. If we trust God, that storm will take us to a place we would have never gotten to otherwise. If you are feeling are wrecked watch the series. Thank you Beth, So Long Insecurity was life altering! I love love watching the videos from Wednesday’s with Beth.
God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind!
I am praising the Lord for the healing and miracles he is working at this moment in Jesus name in every single woman hurting, alone, home sick, devistated, tired, lost, depressed and under attack by the devil. While reading post and crying I felt the holy spirit all around me for the longest time ever!! It is time women came together and embraced each other. Sorry for not being more eloquent, first time ever posting anything like this and the last if I read it;)
Praise God for you Beth Moore!!!!!!!
Big sister sharing that I have learned over and over to give everything to the Lord and then don’t take it back and try to fix it. Scripture will be your source of strength in everything…get a spiral and memorize some verses to cling to when the enemy attacks. When the enemy attacks…not if. We know he comes after us often, so be prepared with the Word. Those little sister seasons are long, tough days, but are still meant to be enjoyed.
Big Sister here with my darling “little sister” 37 year old Mary (my 2nd cousin) right here under my roof as a shelter from the storm. In a span of 3 days she went through foreclosure on her home, lost her treasured Grandmother to heaven’s glory (my only surviving Aunt…now I’m a total orphan…at least that’s how I “feel”…)and Mary was let go from her job as a Social Worker! So she decided to come down here from Oregon and stay with us, since we hosted her Grandma’s funeral and celebration of a life well-lived for Jesus. Believe me when I tell you, we are crying out to God, our Rock and anchor in the midst of the storm. Our hope is in Him…My prayer is that God will turn the dark into day, and Mary will soar above it all as on eagles wings. For all our little sisters out there, may God set their feet on the rock and give them a firm place to stand, put a new song in their mouths, even a praise unto Him. God is able, more than able and He will never, no never, fail! I have lived and experienced this: “I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living…” Never, no never, give up! I love you so in Him, little sisters…look up!
Little Sister here…
I am the mother of a special needs son who requires constant, around the clock supervision. I stopped working 5 years ago to take care of him full time. He has seizures, cannot speak, has to be fed, diapered, bathed, everything. He will be 8 in August and he is almost 40 lbs and just under 4 ft tall. He is the joy of our lives and we love him to pieces, but sometimes I feel overwhelmed! I only have a 3 family members who I can call on for help and I feel guilty if I ask them to keep him too much. He is a handful and has to be kept at our home due to his condition. I try to stay focused on today and not let fear and worry for tomorrow overtake my thoughts, but the condition he has is a rare genetic syndrome that is degenerative in nature and will get worse as he gets older. He is the sweetest little thing and the thought of him suffering breaks my heart. I know God has a plan and that nothing touches our lives that does not first pass through his hands. I know that my baby boy is His and that He loves him 100 times more than my earthly heart is even capable. But when the seizures rack his little body, when he hurts and he can’t tell me why, when he repeatedly puts himself in mortal danger because he has no concept of fear or danger…I just want to crumple to the floor and cry my eyes out! I am thankful for this blog. I know all of you who read this will be praying for me and my sweet little guy and boy do I need your prayers! Love you Beth, Lindsee, and all you precious Siestas! God Bless.
O.K. I just learned I am a “Big Sister”. To my “Little Sisters”, do NOT give up! All of your Big Sisters love you so much and loathe the devil and his schemes. Do NOT fall for them. Get in God’s truths and make them the first thoughts of every single day. Go to bed speaking them. You can even do like me, I sing them to myself all day long. The devil has to flee! I meet weekly with two other women at church to pray. We pour our hearts out to God on behalf of our church, our community and our nation. We have been praying for you already “Little Sisters”.
To all of my precious Little Sisters out there that I will get to meet one day in heaven, know that I think you are wonderful!! Some of you single, some newly weds, some young mothers, how well I remember those days. It seems like yesterday that I was in my early 20’s, my husband working,and me with a set of crying new twins with no help from anyone. Beleive me, I cried too!! A lot!!! Those twins are now 21 and recently graguated college with honors – so it does get better. The BEST advice I can give you is to stay in God’s word and find a Bible study group if you do not have one at your curch. Regardless of what anyone says. I hungered for that when I was young. I asked about it at my church and the lady in charge told me that I could not handle the Beth Moore Bible study they were doing that I was not mature enough and mhy plate was quite full with my girls. I did not know any better and was so sad and went on my way scratching and scraping by with what little knowldege I had of HOW to study God’s word. Let me tell you – you ARE NOT to immature to be in a Beth Moore Bible study!! Get in it and stay in it!! Understanding and learning His way will be the best thing you could ever do for you, your husband, and children. You CAN DO IT!!! I will cheer and pray you on!!! 🙂 God’s word and Christian friendships are the answers. Set that legacy now so it will continue for generations to come. You can do it because He has this for you!! I will be praying for my little sisters out there. Before you know it – you will be my age with grown children and looking back – I should have been in that Bible study. 🙂 Jump all in girls and do it!!
Little sister here (and a little late). Will keep it simple as well . . .
1. My husband and I are going through a tough spot in our marriage.
2. We have been blessed with a son, but still desire more children. We are seeking God’s will and waiting upon Him to expand our family.
3. Our 5 yo is going to kindergarten in the fall (and though this seems trivial compared to most other messages), I’m really struggling with this!
4. God has also taken me back to work in the fall as a teacher in a Christian school. I’m super excited about this, but also a little anxious about the transition.
5. I have really been struggling with being faithful in my daily disciplines . . . and I feel guilty!
Thank you to the Big Sisters for the encouragement! This has been such a blessing!
Little Sister here…
Doing the Nehemiah alone and need someone, anyone to pray with me over my rubble.
FINANCES… Paying dr bills, college debt, credit card debt, and trying to pinch to have enough to feed our family is wearing me down.
Struggling to keep a ministry going…with zero money is a challenge. But I KNOW God’s hand is on it and He will provide.
Psalm 25 here I come!
Big Sister here…another promise from God’s word, The Lord is CLOSE to the broken hearted and SAVES those crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 Get before Him and claim this daily. Feel His closeness. Like me, you too will soon look back and see His faithfulness.
Your little sister here:
I’ve been given a vision by the Lord to do some things that require my full attention and time. My husband is a type 1 diabetic, and we can’t get health insurance except through my job. I need to leave my job in order to really do what I feel called to do, but we’ve been waiting for years now for a way to be made where we can have health insurance and I can pursue what God has passionately gifted me to do. Discouraged, sad, frustrated, trying not to abandon hope and to continue believing that He made a promise to me, others have affirmed it, and it will come to pass.
Little Sister here….
I am sooo lonely and have been for years – ever since college ended. Love my husband and children but desperate for a close woman friend. I have “friends” – in hard times I know they would be there for me – but no one that I can call and say “Hey – want to go shopping today?”
“Your little sister here: …” Please pray for me. In a battle for my beloved men of God. Both son and hubby having a time with “Every mans battle”. This Momma and wife needs to know how to pray for my men.
Big Sis here. Over 50 and never married. Still want to be…but only if “he” loves ministry like I do. Little sisters.,,, focus on others and you won’t be as lonely. Yes…it is hard sometimes…but God will always give you what you need. I focus on my piano students and the young families at my church! I’ve reproduced myself more than I could ever count. God is amazing you know! Keep your eyes on Him.
Little sister here….I have an anxiety disorder that is literally taking over my life. I’ve experienced just about every symptom you possibly can at one point in my life, some days all at once and i experience about an average of three to four a day. I can’t eat, sleep, or even watch tv without worrying or being anxious. We’ve been trying different medicines, but none seem to help, actually a couple, my body reacted so bad that I lost about 10 pounds and had to go to the hospital. I am seeing a psychologist and a counselor, and I feel like i’ve done everything I can to be spiritually healthy, but satan just loves to drag me down. I do things like write down all my feelings and emotions, as well as read two devotionals, one in the morning and one at night, to make sure i’m constantly in the Word. I just need some encouragement and prayer that i’m going to get through this. It’s been two years. I just want to be able to eat without feeling like i have to gag or get sick, I just want to sleep peacefully and not have to worry about my breathing or any other symptoms. I plead and pray to the Lord constantly. Please help.