Do You Feel Grateful for Being a Woman?

In a culture that increasingly blurs the lines between men and women, it's vital for Christian women to embrace God's unique design for womanhood. The modern push for equality often goes beyond seeking fairness, encouraging women to compete with men in every sphere sometimes to the detriment of both genders. But this rejection of biblical femininity leads women astray from their God-given roles.

Abigail Dodds, in her reflection, recalls childhood experiences where the urge to "beat the boys" subtly reflected a cultural undercurrent women were praised for succeeding in traditionally male spaces, such as science or math, while roles like caregiving or teaching, closely aligned with feminine nature, were overlooked. However, she stresses that men and women were created differently for distinct purposes. These differences, far from limiting, are part of God's good design.

Scripture speaks volumes about the beauty and importance of womanhood. Genesis tells us that God created woman as a "helper" (Genesis 2:18), a role that is integral, not inferior. God’s word also instructs women to cultivate a spirit of quietness and submission (1 Peter 3:4-5), which stands in stark contrast to the world's message of self-promotion and assertiveness.

Yet, this is where many women falter. They accept the world’s definitions, viewing the body and its capabilities, including childbearing, as burdensome rather than sacred. Society's lie that a woman’s worth lies in her ability to match or exceed men has led to an increase in harmful behaviors, including career ambitions that prioritize personal fulfillment over family, and in extreme cases, the rejection of motherhood itself. The devaluation of womanhood even extends to justifying the killing of unborn children when they interfere with career goals or personal freedom.

The secular ideal of “self-acceptance” is misleading. The self-acceptance that the world offers is not about honoring how God designed us; rather, it’s about embracing sin and rejecting God's purposes. True acceptance begins when women recognize their bodies and their roles as gifts from the Creator.

Dodds urges women to begin with gratitude. Whether a woman is single or married, with or without children, she is made in the image of God with a unique capacity for nurturing life. The act of nurturing is not limited to physical motherhood but extends to spiritual and emotional realms. This God-given design is an honor and a blessing, not a hindrance.

Gratitude should flow from the knowledge that our femininity has been crafted with divine intentionality. In Genesis, God declares that both male and female are "very good" (Genesis 1:31), and this distinction is essential for the flourishing of God’s people.

Women, especially Christian women, need to reclaim the joy of being female. Far from the world's narrative that undermines the uniqueness of womanhood, the gospel calls women to embrace their roles with dignity and joy. As Dodds notes, God’s grace enables women to see past the cultural distortions and recognize the goodness of His design.

So, are you glad to be a woman? Begin by thanking God for creating you exactly as you are, with the unique gifts and purpose He has ordained. Rejoice in the wonder of being a woman, made in God’s image and for His glory.

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