The Bible offers many thoughts on how we women should treat each other. Paul says we should encourage and build one another up (1 Thessalonians 5:11) and should only say things that benefit and strengthen others (Ephesians 4:29). Jesus says to love others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39) and treat them the way we want them to treat us (Matthew 7:12), the author of Hebrews tells us to spur one another on toward love (Hebrews 10:20), and James warns against slandering each other (James 4:11).
Someone said: When women support each other, incredible things happen. It takes intentionality, prayer and willingness to change to understand and believe that other women’s success is not our demise. That when another woman thrives, it can offer us strength, joy, and inspiration instead of causing fear and envy. That walking together, lifting each other up, and supporting each other will benefit all of us much more than competing or tearing each other down. Bringing other women down will never make us rise.
Imagine the beauty and benefits of women in a small town respecting, spurring on, and learning from older unmarried successful women. Picture the power of senior college students standing up for their freshmen sisters and refusing to humiliate them. Think of the change that would happen if young wives could become mothers-in-law who treat their daughters-in-law with gentleness, respect, and compassion.
Women, let’s repent of tearing each other down and using our power in destructive ways, and let’s pray for change.