Because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
James 2:13
The last week I was in Hobby Lobby with my oldest sister and my Mom. Browsing through the store I saw so many pictures I liked. There was a lot of "She/Her..."pictures and signs proclaiming the kind of woman you want to be or are. It hit me. I've never seen a picture or sign saying anything positive or good about men. I suddenly felt sick inside. There isn't really any type of encouraging messages out there for men. The only messages out there is demonizing them and condemning men of being lazy and slow witted and being guilty of abusing or misusing woman in some way. I don't want to jump on the band wagon of whats the popular topic. This however is tugging strongly at my heart.
O Lord, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!
Psalm 3:1
I'm not defending the men who are guilty of these horrible acts of evil intent. I'm talking about the men who are honorable. Men of God. We are honorable women. God calls us to a higher standard than the world. With all these "Show men how much they need women" is unnecessary. I believe men see how much they need woman. The problem is not in that but in priorities.
The majority of men through history have looked down on women as the weaker sex. As sex objects and whatever else we were labeled. Then women through the first feminist wave gained the right to vote and be seen as equal through the years. Now with the tables turning women are looking at men as unnecessary and sex crazed buffoons. What if women are part of that view point? What if women are a big factor in that belief? Look at what clothing is put out there for women to wear. Bathing suits. half naked and completely naked models. The movies, books, magazines, music. This society encourages women that sex sells. Our bodies are a tool by which to gain the means to higher power. Do you secretly believe that? I don't completely disagree with the #Metoo movement. As well, I don't completely agree with it either. There is a time and place for every activity under Heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1) There is a time and a place to tell someone that you've been abused or wronged in some way. I am coming from experience. Talking to my Grandma before her passing about how I've been abused so many years ago I told her that I want to know who my perpetrator was.
My Grandma told me; "would it really help if you knew? What if it brings more pain finding him?"
Frankly she was right. I have healed a lot and the desire to want to know who this guy was is gone. God has brought peace to my soul. What helped me is this man is not getting away with what he did. Sooner or later he will face the consequences for how he hurt me.
As women of noble character. God's daughters we need to honor our Father in every aspect of our lives. I think one big way is respecting the men in our lives. Encouraging them to continue to be honorable. To acknowledge we notice. To challenge them kindly when to fight for the weak and defend the helpless. To encourage them to be defenders of women. You still want a man to fight for you don't you? Whether it be he stands up for you emotionally, physically and mentally.
When I was in my early twenties I was in a class that challenged myself and my class mates in understanding what we believe. There was a question that asked how we've been hurt as a teen and how that affected us. I shared my answer about a bunch of my peers ignoring and avoiding me as I tried to strike up conversation and join in with them. I quickly told my teacher that I was fine now and it doesn't bother me anymore (what a lie. It still did and does at times) My teacher grew angry. Not the screaming and crazy mad. I looked into his eyes and he looked back at me with a fire and passion told me...
"Don't ever say it doesn't bother you. It still does and it will always be with you."
He acknowledged my pain! I could see in his eyes that he was angry at the cruelty of those teenagers. As well, at how as much as he could guess; how it affected my view of myself.
In this growing worldly feminist run culture lets not get caught up quickly in things that sound good to our ears. If it means putting others down. In this case men. Let's ponder God's word and ask Him for wisdom in every thought we chew on and every action we take. Let's not quickly condemn men as all evil (technically we all are without Christ!) Let's walk confidently forward with mercy, kindness, respect and honor to all.
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