“Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalm 51:12
I am struggling with the learned helplessness that is so apparent amongst this group of women. Their lives have been so horrible for so long that they seem like they have lost all hope for a better life. They have been told over and over that they are nothing, they are worthless and they will always be. They want a different life so badly but they expect us to hand it to them because they don’t believe enough in themselves to even try to make a change. This is a frustrating battle and it’s completely overwhelming!
How do you change this mindset? This problem seems almost impossible to do anything about. It makes it really hard to move forward and keep trying. All I can do is pray for hope and healing for these women. Isaiah 40:31 says “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” I know God is the only one who can change their minds and give them the strength and stamina to work hard and keep trying. God is the only one who can make them feel valuable again. I am so sad for them but after all they have been through to survive I wholeheartedly believe in their ability to change their circumstances. God will deliver them if they choose to lean on Him, not on us, or their own abilities.
I am proud of them for coming to all 3 days of training, because it was long. There were hard concepts to grasp and when you don’t even know how you will pay your rent or even feed your children that night, it is hard to learn about saving money. God will bless them for their willingness to try. God only asks us to try. Just to listen to Him, try and then trust Him. A teachable, willing spirit is a fundamental part of who we should strive to be. If we go through life without trying or without listening to God we will forever be who we are now. I want to continue to grow and transform into who He says I should be, not just who this world says I am.