Spiritual Wellness

Should Christian women confront injustice? Should spiritual women use their power and skill to right a wrong?  Perhaps that’s a job designated for a man?  Or, a woman not concerned about her spiritual principles?

Too often, women are reminded of Jesus’ teaching to “turn the other cheek.” If someone wrongs you, don’t become defensive.  Some people misconstrue this teaching to suggest that we must let people harm us again and again.  That’s a toxic thought.  Like all of Jesus’ teachings, “turn the other cheek” is really about an attitude of the heart.  Don’t become defensive or reactionary.  Instead, trust God to solve your problems.  This is true, but . . .

What about WWJD?  You know the “What WOULD Jesus do” campaign? More importantly, What DID Jesus Do?

Jesus didn’t just turn the cheek, He also turned the tables!

On one occasion, Jesus stormed into the temple and boldly confronted social-religious injustice. God’s sacred temple was being used for people to make profit.  It was greed and disrespect at its height.  Jesus was so furious that He started turning over tables, destroying product and scattering cash.  That doesn’t sound like “turning the cheek” to me!

Jesus also taught us to make peace with all people, and to speak to others with dignity and respect.  Then, he abandoned those rules when addressing the Pharisees.  He yelled at them, using words that were likely obscenities by the standards of His day.  He called them hypocrites and a brood of vipers.  Again, we see competing teachings and actions.  Perhaps there’s something more that we’re meant to discover?

If we learn from Jesus’ teachings, without also understanding His actions, then we’ve missed the point. And, here’s the problem for women . . .

When compared to His actions, Jesus’ teachings are much more appropriate for the kind of behavior expected of young Christian women. Spiritual leaders and peers are always accepting of the Christian woman who sits quietly in the corner, minding her own business and using a timid voice. If we fit ourselves into that box, we won’t become the women we are destined to be.

That’s why we must learn to discern God’s direction for our lives. If we start taking every punch when we see injustice, we’ll end up weary and hard-hearted.  If we continue to sit in the corner, our spiritual muscles will deteriorate.  We’ll end up weak and timid.  However, when we learn to listen to God, He will show us when to the turn the cheek and when to turn the tables.

In the face of injustice, may we become a generation of Christian women both gentle and strong.  Godspeed!

abuse, confrontation, gentle, injustice, strong