Woman, You are Smart Enough

Woman, You are Smart Enough!

I called a new friend to ask if she would be willing to participate in our church’s Women’s Ministries. She was genuinely surprised. As we talked, I discerned her hesitancy to say yes. As I explained the four pillars of our ministry to and with women, she expressed her deep-seated feelings of inadequacy. She wasn’t sure she was the right woman to add to the team. She wasn’t telling me anything I had not already recognized. I assured her I really wanted her input and to be part of this vital ministry. I respected her need to think about it and get back to me. In the meantime, I’ll be praying for my friend and for her favorable response.

Feeling inadequate, not smart or bright enough is not new for women. Not even those who know they are a creation of God. My friend “J” is a woman of faith—strong faith in the Lord—but her life’s journey and experiences have caused her to doubt she is a smart, witty, and delightful woman others want to be around.

We can just about guarantee up until the moment the serpent entered the garden and engaged Eve in conversation about trees and death, Eve felt smart enough, intelligent enough, pretty enough, confident enough… It wasn’t until after the “fall” Eve felt doubt, fear, inadequacy.

When we read the Gospels, we can see Jeus spending time with God’s feminine creation having intentional conversations. He knew and saw the results of what happened in the Garden more than 5500 years prior. It must have saddened Him to see how women doubted their beauty and brains. Everywhere He went, Jesus made sure to have reaffirming and uplifting conversations with women that made them remember they had been specially created by God, and, even though society said they weren’t enough, they were. They were sinners but they were redeemed and forgiven sinners. They had been fearfully and wondrously made (Psalm 139:14). Just as Eve was created to fill a place in creation as helpmeet to Adam (man) that no other part creation could fulfill so were they.

When God created, He saw that everything He made from mankind down, was “good.” Eve may have lost a lot after she disobeyed God. Certainly, she lost her beautiful Garden home and perfect environment where life was easy to maintain. She may have lost the physical perfection she was created with. She lost the trust of her husband and gained a broken relationship with God her creator. She may have lost the ability to give birth to children without a lot of pain. But she didn’t lose everything. The Scriptures do not tell us that Eve lost her position as helpmeet—she was still equal to her husband; the one who was to partner with him in life. She didn’t lose her beauty or ability to nurture or make sound decisions. She didn’t stop being the apple of God’s eye (Psalm 17:8).            

If you’re a discipler of women you’ve probably met many women who lack confidence in this area and know it takes patience, prayer, and pouring over the Scriptures to help your disciple believe she is everything the Word of God says. We are to sow back into women what the world and the devil has stripped away. As we pour over the Scriptures together, we are reminded that “the Lord gives wisdom and from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Prov. 2:6), and understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it (Prov. 16:22).

Wisdom and understanding and intelligence are not exclusive to men but are equally valuable and attainable for women. Ladies as we engage with one another we can remind each other and be reminded that as women when we seek knowledge of God and apply it to our lives, we reflect God’s character wisdom and intelligence. And in Christ, we are smart enough.