- Materialism: Materialism is like a god. Ladies want to accumulate more and more "things" as it gives a false sense of satisfaction and identity. We want as much as we can and sometimes our relationships/friendships and everything we do is based on 'what's in it for me?' this can snowball into serious financial debt as economies or financial plans cater for this i.e. buy now, pay later. Philippians 4:11 - 13 "......, for I have learnt to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learnt the secret of being content in any and every situation whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Ladies, there will always be someone who seems to have more or who actually does have more "things" and "nicer looking things" than you. Lets be content with what we have. Love, honour, value, pray for and encourage the 'richer' sister and those who have more and visa versa.
- Aging: The need to stay young and beautiful. Women are terrified of aging especially when the world idolises good looks and youthfulness. This 'pressure' seems to start in the early teens/youth years and if not dealt with, is carried into adulthood.............wanting to constantly look young and beautiful. There are many things to help enhance this timeless, ageless beauty like botox, liposuction, face-lifts and all sorts of surgical procedures. There are also a wide variety of creams in the supermarkets and beauty parlours which claim that if you use them, you'll look and stay young. It may seem frivolous and vain but it is a real attack on women. Ladies, lets age gracefully. Our bodies and features were not designed to stay young and it really is great getting 'older'. You are all beautiful and remember that inner beauty outweighs outer beauty any day. Love, value. honour, pray for and encourage your beautiful sisters. 1 Corinthians 14:20, Job 12:12, Proverbs 17:6, Proverbs 31:30, 1 Peter 3:3 - 4.
- Self - esteem, self - worth and self - image: These are issues that can be divided into socio-economic groupings, but ironically, each grouping struggle with self-esteem, self-worth and self-image. These affect a woman's identity and have a domino effect if not dealt with: what and why am I here on earth for? What is my purpose? What is my ministry? As a result women suffer from insomnia, eating disorders, depression, comparison, feeling alone, hearing voices in their heads and so on. Ladies, we can miss out on all that God has in store for us and who he created us to be. Again, these are real struggles facing women. Psalm 139:13 - 17 Focus on v14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Ladies, we are so precious to God. Lets learn how to affirm one another and to love, honour, pray for and encourage our valuable sisters.
- Gender discrimination and gender bias: Women, including christian women, tend to get paid less than men for the same job or are sidelined from certain positions because they are women. Women are not expected to advance as much as a man. Some cultures don't allow women to take maternity leave when they are pregnant while some women are too afraid to tell anyone in the workplace that they are married for fear of being 'overlooked' or passed during promotion. Women just don't feel valued. Then on the other hand, some very ambitious women, will do just about anything to climb that ladder including undermining/lying about another sister whom they feel is a threat. Ladies, lets appreciate, respect and support one another as well as love, honour, pray for and encourage our sisters in the workplace or at home.
- Trust: Trust is a HUGE one. Some cultures actually teach women not to trust other women while in others, women who have self-esteem issues, jealousy issues(Will touch on this one more as it is also HUGE and linked to trust), insecurity issues, suspicion issues or issues of the past that are not dealt with etc simply don't trust the other sister. Ladies, value yourselves and know that you are a genuine treasure, uniquely made by God. Don't allow the enemy to make you fearful, suspicious and mistrustful of the sisters. Psalm 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart...." When you do that, you'll find it easy to trust your sisters. Honour them and see what happens!! Isaiah 12:2 "Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." Renew your thinking and lets build each other up, trust each other as well as love, honour, pray for and encourage our sisters.
Read pt 3 for more inside detail on issues facing women........Compiled By Molly Manhanga
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