Propel Women

Grief is complicated, messy and daunting – like a looming sadness that you don’t know exactly what to do with, so you put it in the junk drawer to get organized one day when you get around to it. Add to that the approaching holiday season and it feels downright uncomfortable. Unwanted. And, to just be honest, unfair. We’re expected to decorate our homes, show up for parties, and shop for gifts all while wondering if a familiar scent or song is going to suddenly trigger memories that send us into a mental spiral?! No, thank you. It’s the junk drawer for you, grief. We’ll meet again when it feels convenient. But, friends, we must remember: before Hannah’s words that were declared during the canonization of Scripture as a “triumphant prayer” in 1 Samuel 2, she’s recorded as a woman with a broken heart, praying from the depth of her anguish and resentment (1 Samuel 1:15-16). Before, and even amidst, the triumph is the heartache. Hannah understood the elation of a heart rejoicing in the Lord because she had felt the pain of a woman pleading with him. Without sadness, we cannot truly know the gift that is joy. To say it another way: to know joy is to have grappled with sadness, felt its grip, and chosen to pursue hope anyway. Hannah’s grief was not erased by her triumphant prayer. What changed was her understanding of who God was, how deep his goodness is, and her connection to her Heavenly Father. Let’s not forget: Hannah’s triumphant prayer was offered when she was leaving the child she petitioned the Lord to give her. What a wide range of emotions she must have felt in that moment! But, there was a shift in her perspective from her first prayer to the second. She knew she could trust God. She knew he heard her prayers and was watching over her and her child. We can find joy in difficult moments. We can embrace grief while expressing gratitude. We can experience growth while grappling with questions. Grieving is complex. But, perhaps the triumph is found not in an overt victory shouting from a mountaintop, but in not giving up and gaining more of who God is throughout the process. By Rachel Hunka

Being a peacemaker requires trusting the goodness and the timing of God. Check out Equip & Empower Podcast episode 321: Being an Agent of Peace ?? https://lnkd.in/gUUFR3rW

Elevate your leadership with Propel Cohorts. Join Christine Caine, Tara Beth Leach, and a community of like-minded women in a 5-month leadership journey. We’ll help you expand your vision, build confidence, and take actionable steps toward your goals. ??TODAY is the deadline to apply for Spring Cohorts!?? Head to PropelWomen.org/Cohort to apply today. ?

God can heal your wounds, give you a new heart, and invite you to join his miraculous work. This conversation with Christine & Daniela Frieidzon-Mccabe will inspire your faith & encourage you about this next generation of believers. ?? PropelWomen.org/Podcast to listen.

God’s eyes are on you and he hasn't forgotten about you. He is the one ordering our steps (Psalm 37:23) and though we might feel overlooked by people, we can never be overlooked by God. He might slow us down, he might sit us down for a season, or speed us up. What matters is knowing his will, his word, his voice and his faithfulness. If you didn't get that position or that opportunity, it doesn't mean God loves or values you less – perhaps, consider that what he has for you is better and he will not settle for less than what he has ordained for you and you alone. As Psalm 84:11(AMP) reminds us: “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” James 1:17 also says: “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Your current trial is not the litmus test for how God feels about you. Find rest in the fact that God delights in you and he is a good father. Remind yourself that you only want to be in his presence, in the place He has made for you, not the position where you have forced your way through. Today, create space for your feelings and disappointments, then give them over to God. Take hold of his hand and walk with him through the next stage, trusting that he has your future. You can be confident that he has not overlooked you and will graciously open the doors that he has for you. We can journey with God in confidence, knowing we are loved and seen by the One who watches our every step with love. By Sarah Kiki Pontier

This isn't just another program; it's a transformational journey. Imagine: 5 months of personalized coaching, powerful community, and spiritual guidance designed to help you live out your God-given purpose. Propel Cohorts empower you to create meaningful change in the world as a leader and woman of faith. Our cohorts are almost full! Go to PropelWomen.org/Cohort to apply before the application deadline on 11/22.

Peace is not a depreciating asset; it’s a fundamental state of being that every person on this planet longs for. This may sound like a bold statement, but I’ve never observed anything to the contrary. Peace is the foundation upon which individuals can thrive, and societies can flourish. You can feel its absence, its dismissal; it’s palpable and visible when peace is disrupted. Our bodies can feel it, our faces can show it, and our minds know it all too well. We often seek countless ways to cope with the unrest we experience in the world, and one common approach is through control. How many times have I tried to grasp control, believing it would bring me some semblance of peace? I have searched for it in the dark night of the soul, the wilderness of the waiting, and the in-between when it was hard to be honest with myself and others. Yet, peace is a person—Jesus, our Holy Prince of Peace. We need the peace he offers more than the illusion of control. It's more than a bumper sticker statement. We need his very presence to still the raging waves within and around us. I pray this reminder gives us the freedom to open our white-knuckled hands and humbly acknowledge our need for His peace today. Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). Thank you, Jesus. ?? By Mattie Meese

Dr. Sarita Lyons joins Christine Caine on the mic to talk about what it means to be a “church girl” as a black woman. This conversation is a powerful reminder that God’s word is relevant in any and every corner of discovering your purpose, identity, and calling. These powerhouse women will leave you feeling empowered to face the challenges and opportunities you face in the context God has placed you. ?? Head to PropelWomen.org/Podcast for the full episode!

Join us for this powerful episode where Dr. Sarita Lyons speaks from her training and experience, empowering you to face the particular challenges and opportunities in the culture and context God has placed you. ?? Head to PropelWomen.org/Podcast to listen.

When I started unplugging, I learned there's a difference between availability and accessibility. In this digital age, it's easy to be accessible—to have an "always on" mentality for anyone, any time. But throughout the Scriptures, we see Jesus practice what I call true availability. He was present with people. He made space for them. He was never too busy, frazzled, or distracted to see people in the moment. He was more than contactable: he made contact. I believe we're called to that deeper availability– to the invitation to tune out the noise and press into the people God has placed in our lives. Practical Ways to Choose Availability over Accessibility This Week: 1. Listen for nudges. When you pray, dare to ask: Lord, who do you want me to see today? Take a little extra time to linger and listen. It may be a prompting to make a date with a friend. Or perhaps a nudge to encourage someone with a prayer. Don't put off the nudge: someone might need you to listen today. You never know who might be blessed on the other side of your obedience. 2. Call out of the blue. When did you last call someone rather than text them? I have a friend who calls when they think of me, and that simple rhythm makes me feel so loved. Carve the space to dial someone's number. Call to hear their voice and see how their day is going. Call “just because.” People will be surprised to see your name pop up, but they'll also feel treasured knowing someone is making space in their busy day to reach out. 3. Show up at the door. This has become a tradition I practice each week. I pick someone in my life and go out of my way to bless that person. Maybe it's flowers left on the doorstep or a care package delivered during a tough season. The gesture can be big or small. The point is never to be too busy to show love through action. As I practice availability, I remind myself that making the space to see others is one of the most important things I will do in my week. Our people need reminders that they matter and that they are loved. By Hannah Brencher, @hannahbrencher