Propel Women

Writer, coach, and spoken word artist Mariela Rosario (@shespeaksfireco) is committed to helping others become the best version of themselves. In her experience, she’s found that our emotions have a tendency to disguise themselves and it takes some deeper digging to find what’s below the surface. “Think back to a situation when you responded instinctively with anger, defensiveness, or perfectionism. It may seem as if your response was a knee jerk reaction to the situation,” writes Mariela, “but often stressful and painful events, conversations, and interactions trigger a deeper belief about our identity.” Read her full article, Will the Real Emotion Please Stand Up?, here: https://bit.ly/4duO6I1

August is a season of changes. Leaves on trees begin to paint a beautiful array of colors, the warmth of summer turns into a crisp cool breeze, children enter into a new school year where new friendships are made and learning is enriched — to name just a few. Inevitably, change is happening around us all the time. Some changes are easy, while others are not. A new friendship — relational hurt by a trusted individual. The birth of a child — the death of a loved one. A clean bill of health — an unexpected health diagnosis. A new job opportunity — unforeseen job loss. In the midst of change, the permanent thing we can fully rely on is the unchanging goodness of Jesus. Hebrews 13:8 reminds the reader that, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” One of the overall purposes of the book of Hebrews is to encourage believers to stand firm in their faith in the midst of the persecution they were experiencing. For it is Jesus Christ who is elevated above all things. He is our great redeemer. He is our refuge in times of trouble. He is our hope when we feel we have lost complete control. At a time that would have been much easier to live as a non-believer, the author of Hebrews encourages believers with the truth that Jesus Christ is the same not just sometimes, but always. Change is inevitable but Jesus is forever. By Bethany Hammer

If God does not sleep or slumber (Psalm 121:3-4), you can move forward knowing he’s got things handled. Check out Equip & Empower Podcast Episode 308: Permission to Start Thriving 🎧 https://bit.ly/4fITVDn

We know it’s only August, but this study is available for pre-order and we had to share it with you now. We know you’re busy women – living and leading in countless different spaces – so many of you are already planning your holiday season! 🎄Head to ChristineCaine.com/Advent for all the details on @ChristineCaine and @LisaDHarper’s NEW Advent Study: The Marvel and Miracle of Advent, Bible Study Guide and Streaming Videos. ❄️

📱It’s drop day for the Life & Leadership Podcast! Propel Cohort Coach Jeanette Salguero (@PastorsSalguero) is back, and we’re discussing why Sabbath is important to keep a right perspective of God and ourselves. And we’re deep-diving into how Sabbath looks different depending on our personalities! Head to PropelWomen.org/Podcast for the full episode. 🎧

When we find ourselves in desperate situations and our own needs are glaring, it’s hard to imagine being helpful to anyone around us. But, Shareen Crawford (@madame_shareen) has experienced something quite different and offers a new perspective. “You never know how close you are to becoming someone's Good Samaritan, just by being present, just by listening,” writes Shareen. “When we don’t feel like we have anything else to give, we can give the gift of our presence and attention to the people right next to us.” Read her compelling story, In my Hour of Need, God asked Me to be a Neighbor, here: https://bit.ly/4dU9pCN

Replace your “what if” fears with “what if” faith. What if it works out? What if God makes a way? What if I have a limited understanding of what God can do? Remember, impossible is where God starts. In her new book, Faith-Filled, Propel Women founder @ChristineCaine wants to empower your heart to embrace all God has for you. Learn how to get your copy of her 30-day devotional, Faith Filled with a gift of any amount at ChristineCaine.com/Faith.

POV: Being on the giving or receiving end of criticism—often arising from our insecurities, misunderstandings, or judgments. We are living in a world saturated with criticism, setting words ablaze on social media platforms, news feeds, or private conversations between friends. The critic elevates themselves as Judge, allowing the gavel to fall hard on everything from ministry efforts to parenting, health habits to political positions, entertainment choices to business endeavors—and everything else under the sun. We cause more harm than good when we, consciously or subconsciously, judge the motives or actions of others and leave the recipients deflated rather than uplifted. Scripture warns us, “If you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another” (Galatians 5:15). By definition, criticism expresses unfavorable opinions about the worth or quality of someone or something (Merriam-Webster). To put it plainly: a critical spirit is not loving. It’s antithetical to the way Jesus calls us to live. We are told to encourage and build each other up (Romans 15:2; Thessalonians 5:11), making allowance for other’s faults (Colossians 3:13) rather than exposing them. Yes, we need to address problems and sin issues—but in love (Ephesians 4:15) and with humility (Galatians 6:1). Jesus says it’s hypocritical to take the speck out of someone’s eye without paying attention to the plank in our own eye (Matthew 7:1-5). Everyone has blind spots, but it’s not always our job to highlight them, especially when criticism flows from personal insecurities that God needs to heal. Paul exhorts us to “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2). So next time a critical spirit tries to hijack our minds with assumptions and judgments, let’s pause in repentance, allowing Jesus to assess our hearts before we assess others. Rather than obsessing over settling a dispute in our favor, let’s yield to God’s love, which heals and transforms more than human criticism ever could. By Beth Fields

Now, faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen. Hebrews 11:1 For encouragement in your faith today, check out Equip & Empower Podcast episode 307: Permission to Stop Doubting. 🎧 https://bit.ly/46Gqmy4

Have you ever heard God described as jealous and wondered what that means? Jealousy is a burning fire. It can consume our peace and contentment. Comparison quickly turns joy to bitterness. Jealousy is an ugly evil in the hands of humanity, but it is a beautiful quality in the hands of a holy God. “Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God.” Exodus 20:4–6 God is not jealous like you or I are jealous. God’s jealousy is about His wholehearted devotion and longing for ours in return. His jealousy topples idols and removes the traps we set for ourselves that deceive our hearts but delight our flesh. God will not be second in our lives. When He acts to reveal and crush our idols, this is for our good. How silly our idols look to the only living God! John Calvin called our hearts “perpetual idol factories”. The factory powers up every time we take our eyes off of Jesus as King. This was the pattern of the Israelites: the moment they stopped pursuing the ways of God, they found themselves worshiping things that could not hear or help them. We do, too. But God will not be found as one among many gods; He is the only God, jealous for His people. He wants us to trust Him more than we trust our assets or social networks. Do not bow to these; do not serve them. What idol of your heart needs toppling today? Knock it down. Your God will not share a platform. He is not one among many; He is the only One, sovereign over all, incomparable in all His ways. May His jealousy consume anything you are trusting that is not Him today. By Mary Wiley