It's tough being a woman

My Bible study group is tackling the book of Esther right now and here are some things I took from today's video session, I pray this touches a place in your life as it has mine.

1.  Not only is it tough being a woman in another woman's shadow (gone into depth on last week), but it's tough being a woman in a world where beauty is a treatment.  Beauty encompasses our lives even today.  As it was back then, beauty is not only something you ARE, it's something you DO.  My prayer is that the beauty God fills me with on the inside not only be enhanced daily by my devotion to Him but that others see the beauty of Christ when they look at me.  I pray that I can learn to see myself through God's eyes and stop criticizing what God deems beautiful.  (Who's with me?!)

2.  One of my very favorite scriptures is Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord (I just LOVE how He doesn't just say it, he DECLARES it) "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  This translated word "future" in the Greek means after, later, behind & following.  What is behind & what is later have the SAME ROOT!  You cannot amputate your history from your destiny.  That's what redemption is!  Never forget what God dragged you away from; more often than not He uses you not in spite of your past but because of your past!  Praise God!

3.  Ephesians 5:22 says "Wives you are to submit to your husbands as to the Lord."  These days women who are submissive are veiwed as weak.  God is attracted to weakness, it leaves more room for Him to fill you with His strength! (see also, 1 Corinthians 1:26-31)

Ok, enough "preaching" for now.  I shared this because it was strong on my heart to do so, I pray those of you who dared to read it were touched by one, if not all of the points mentioned.  These were the most powerful to me as I sat in class and took in all that was taught.