I can’t even imagine some of the battles that women face daily.
I can’t imagine being in an abusive relationship. I can’t imagine being homeless. I can’t imagine being an unwed mother. I can’t imagine another broken heart.
And yet, I can relate.
I can’t imagine being a drug addict. I can’t imagine contemplating suicide. I can’t imagine choosing which bills to cover. I can’t imagine constant depression.
And yet, I can relate.
I can relate because I’ve seen other women battle those demons. Often the battles that one woman faces, impacts the battles of another woman.
There is a young lady that I love very much. She struggles with drugs, with mental health, and with self-worth. She’s so smart, so beautiful, and so loved. But she doesn’t always see that because of the demons that she battles.
Her mama worries about her constantly. She’s had to bail her out of jail. She’s had to draw hard lines between support and not becoming co-dependent. This mama is so smart, so beautiful, and so loved. But she doesn’t always see it because of the demons she battles.
This girl could be anyone’s daughter. This mama could be anyone’s friend.
These two women aren’t just anyone’s daughter or friend. She’s is my step-daughter from a previous marriage and I consider her mom a friend.
I worry about them both. When I don’t hear from my step-daughter for weeks, I message her mom. And then I hold my breath, praying that the answer is not “jail, hospital, or morgue.”
Here are three women – a gal in her twenties, and her mom and step-mom. All meshed together by the strings of our heart, all facing battles that are interwoven. Battles that are faced alone and together. Battles laced with worry.
Jesus told us in Luke 12:25 (NIV), “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?”
I hear you Jesus. I should stop worrying. And yet the human condition often prevails…and we worry, we doubt, we seek other refuge, we become anxious, and often we forget that Jesus can handle all of the battles.
When I find myself worrying about these two women, I simply pray. Usually, I have distinct prayers of request for their particular situations. Sometimes, I tell God that I don’t know the scenarios, but I need Him to intervene on their behalf. Occasionally, I simply request for Him to take away my own anxiety and worry over them.
When you have battles to fight; pray. When you notice other women fighting battles; pray. When your battles overlap with others; pray. We aren’t going to add any time to our lives, but we certainly can turn over the anxiety and worry to the Lord.
Each one of us is smart, beautiful, and so loved. Let’s see those attributes past the battles.
~Emily
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” ~Colossians 3:15 (NIV)
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