How Can We Keep Going?

Today is International Women’s Day. A day to definitely celebrate who we are with all the delight and happiness available to us. We are included in this unique day no matter our status as single-again women; or whether we are a mom or not; or a grandma or not; or a sister, aunt, or whether our parents are living or not. All of those relations are important and special, but today is all about celebrating our femaleness!

Who would we pick as the one female (non-relative) who has had the most influence in our lifetime? It might be the life and accomplishments of someone we learned about in our studies such as:  

• Eleanor Roosevelt who used her influential voice of First Lady to speak on the injustice of certain social matters. She was also a strong supporter of African-American rights, even in the 1940s. Eleanor never was elected to office, but is still quoted today as a social reformer.

• Marie Curie, a scientist and the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. And the only person to win Nobel Prizes in two different science fields! Marie was the first female Professor at the Sorbonne University in Paris, France. If you think she had nothing else to do, she also refined X-ray imaging. Think about her when you have your next mammogram!

How Can We Keep Going?

Our influential female may be a living person. One that we admire for her tenacity and determination in the midst of all the trials and tribulations poured on her like a torrential downpour.

Anyone who has ever experienced anger, depression, or suicidal thoughts, or even just a day gone very, very bad, the story of Joni Eareckson Tada will lift your doubts and fears to a new level.

In 1967 when she was just 17 years old, Joni became a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the shoulders down during a diving accident. We can all imagine the heart-wrenching discouragement she endured. Did she give up? Sure. At first, Joni did just that; she wanted to end it all right there.

But Someone gave her the strength to go on. Within just a few years, Joni learned to paint with a brush between her teeth! With that same method, so far, she has written over forty books, including the best-selling Joni, the story of her life. Joni has recorded several musical albums, starred in a movie of her life, and is an advocate for the disabled! Was that the end? No, in 2010, Joni was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a mastectomy and chemotherapy. Her courage could fill the Grand Canyon!  

In view of these women and their accomplishments, we might ask ourselves, what have we done with our days? Instead of living in a state of depression and discouragement, we can review the lives of women we admire. We can then pick our chins up off the floor, pack our bags full of courage, strength, and toughness and start something new.

He’s On Our Side

It isn’t easy to move on by ourselves. To help us find a place of love and encouragement, we need only look to our heavenly Father. He already knows our hurts, problems, and challenges. He just wants to hear us ask for His help, as He never wants to force His love on us.   

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)