Women have amazing strength


Painting by Frederick McCubbin
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 
(Philippians 4:13)

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Women have amazing strength and really can do almost anything if they need to. Just think back to your ancestors, the women of the past, our early pioneer women and think what they endured and managed — they were amazing. Often on their own (whilst their husbands went off to hunt or to undertake business) the women not only had to care for their children, they also had to cut wood, tend to the animals and make sure everything ran smoothly. 

In those early days women didn't live in comfortable homes as we do today, they lived in whatever their husbands could build, which might mean a tent or a timber or stone cottage with none of the mod-cons we have today. They were hot in summer and cold in winter, often had dirt floors and were not very pleasant. Women had to to make do with what they had. Those in urban locations often were living in overcrowded homes with no running water or their own toilet. 

Many women worked side-by-side with the husbands on the farm, they undertook heavy work and then returned home to cook dinner and carry out all the home duties. They did this without complaint. Even women in biblical times (especially in rural areas) would have worked with their husbands on the land. 

Women, for many centuries lost child after child, either during pregnancy, at birth or in the early years of life. What incredible emotional strength these women needed to keep on going whilst suffering such grief. They were remarkable women, they seem to accept this as part of life trusting in the Lord for His strength to keep on going. Some women during epidemics could loose almost all their children (and sometimes their husbands) but still had to keep on going. 

If you have ever read any stories from the second world war, those women in Europe endured the most horrible conditions, but still managed to keep families together and make the best of terrible situations.  Just think of all the women who are risking their lives at present trying to run from the war in Syria or the women and children trapped in Iraq by ISIS. These are incredibly brave women (old and young) with amazing strength.  We could learn a thing or two from them. 

Painting by Frederick McCubbin - A Bush Burial, 1890

I often think that modern women are much weaker  (or softer) and we like to complain a lot more about our lot in life—rather than getting on with living.  Women often say that they couldn't possibility do X, Y or Z because it would simply be too exhausting or they don't have the time. I wonder how many women of the past did that — not many, because if they didn't do the work, it simply didn't get done. They didn't have the luxury of saying no — it didn't mean they weren't exhausted, they were, it just meant they got on with their lot in life regardless.

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)

Women today need to reflect on the women of the past and cut out a lot of the complaining that happens. If our situation changes and a woman does need to do something different — perhaps go out to work or look after someone ill or in need — remember that you can do it.  If the women of the past had the strength and ability to do almost anything, so do we. In fact, much more so with all our modern appliances  we have in the home — household chores today are so much easier than the past, we should be complaining far less. Of course we don't, we complain loud and much more often.

But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me (2 Timothy 4:17)

And we can do anything through Christ who provides all the strength we need. It is amazing what He does provide if you let Him. I sometimes wonder by the time I get to Friday how I have managed a very hectic week at work and all the chores at home — it is possible and women do have the strength to do it. In fact, it is quite false to say that women are not designed for hard work, as they have already shown us through the centuries, they are. And this isn't about feminism at all, this is about our ability to carry the load if necessary and many women in many societies around the world are having to do just that.

God doesn't just give strength to men, he has given it to both men and women alike. In fact, just going through pregnancy and childbirth shows how much strength a woman needs.

And at the end of the day, the Lord provides the rest  we need — isn't it perfect, He provides the strength during the day and the rest at night — what more could we ask for.

Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
(Matthew 11:28)

Painting by Frederick McCubbin

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Comments

  1. Everything handed down to younger generations is being filtered through rose colored glasses. I'll wager that the women of the day had very weak moments, but without choice, carried on, just as the women of today do.
    Now, maybe it is just my circle of friends, and where I live, (farm country), but I would never describe the modern around me as "weak".

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    1. I do think that country women tend to be made of tougher stuff (I grew up in the country) compared to city women who have a habit of grumbling about their lot in life much more and find reasons for not doing things. And I am so often surprised by women who say they couldn't possible work a job and run a household as it would be too exhausting - my response is that we all can do it if we have to and that we all have the ability to do it. One may not want to, but if necessary we can.

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    2. We are all created in God's image and are also sinful and fallen creatures. You may think as you like, but there are "go getters" as well as "do nothins" no matter where you grow up :) I too grew up in the country and found numerous sour people unwilling to get on with life. I have also lived in the city where it seems like I met the same people! On the flip side, in both city and country, I have had the privilege of knowing many hard working folks who did what was (and wasn't) asked of them.
      Amanda

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  2. I LOVE this and it is a message all of us "enlightened" women need in this modern world. Very convicting, thank you x

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  3. The title you've chosen for your post is wonderful, but the post is wonderful even more !
    I love the paintings and the quotes, thank you for sharing,
    sending dear love
    Dany

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    1. Thank you Dany - so glad you enjoyed this post.

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  4. This is excellent and something I think upon often! Here are the strong women in my family tree ~

    http://strangersandpilgrimsonearth.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-blood-that-runs-through-these-veins.html

    Have a lovely week and thank you for linking to the Art of Home-Making Mondays!

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    1. I also have some amazing strong women in my family too who I would like to be like. Women who didn't give up, who knew what hard work was, stood side by side with their husbands. Like you, I hope their study legacy runs through my veins and into my children.

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  5. This is a very inspiring post. Thank you for your words. Jennifer

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  7. This is so true, Jo - you have articulated something that I have often thought is so very true. Of course in some walks of life and in some societies women shine through with their endurance and strength... but women in Western societies do tend to be weak and soft, and I don't think it does us any favours. We live very comfortable and soft lives in so many ways. And yet this world is also a tough place to live - trials and sicknesses and other things are no less evident just because our lives aren't as physical as they were for past generations.

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    1. When I write comments on blog posts about working all day and coming home and cooking dinner I receive comments like "you must be exhausted", or "that would be far too hard for me to do - I don't have the energy". It was these comments that got me thinking that modern women just don't seem to be as strong as women of the past. I can't remember my mother every saying she was too exhausted to cook dinner - she got us kids to help and just got on with it. She came from a generation that didn't complain or whinge. And I am very certainly my aunts never complained (their father wouldn't have allowed it) and women of previous generations just got on with life. They certain got very tired and exhausted but that wasn't an excuse unless they were sick.

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