Marital Women of Faith Blog

“A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among the brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19.

Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts, ready to receive Your truth. Search us, O God, and know our hearts. If there is anything in us that is not pleasing to You, reveal it gently and lead us into righteousness. Let this Word not just inform us, but transform us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In a world where people often ask what God wants from them, we do not always pause to consider what He rejects. Yet understanding what God hates helps us guard our hearts—not in fear, but in alignment; not in condemnation, but in conviction that leads to transformation. Scripture gives us a direct answer in Proverbs 6:16–19, where it says, “These six things the Lord hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him.” This is not casual language. It is God drawing a line, not to push us away, but to protect our purpose. As we walk through these, the goal is not to identify them in others, but to examine our own hearts.

The first is a proud look, which points to pride. Pride is subtle. It does not always present as arrogance; sometimes it shows up as independence from God. It whispers that we do not need help, that we know better, or that we can handle things on our own. But pride disconnects us from God’s guidance. As James 4:6 reminds us, God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Pride was at the root of Lucifer’s fall, and it still causes quiet spiritual falls today. The question becomes: are we relying on God, or replacing Him?

The second is a lying tongue. God is truth, so anything rooted in deception stands in opposition to His nature. A lying tongue is not limited to obvious lies; it includes half-truths, manipulation, and misrepresentation. Lies destroy trust, and trust is foundational to every relationship, including our relationship with God. Proverbs 12:22 tells us that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. This calls us to examine whether our words reflect truth or simply protect our image.

The third is hands that shed innocent blood. While this certainly includes physical violence, it also extends to harming others in ways that are not always visible. Emotional abuse, tearing down someone’s character, or damaging their reputation can all fall into this category. God deeply cares about the innocent, and unjust harm grieves Him. Psalms 11:5 reminds us that the Lord examines the righteous, but He hates wickedness. We must ask ourselves whether our actions are building others up or quietly tearing them down.

The fourth is a heart that devises wicked plans. This reminds us that sin often begins long before it becomes visible. God is not only concerned with our actions, but with our intentions. A heart that devises wicked plans may hold grudges, seek revenge, or operate with hidden motives. 1 Samuel 16:7 tells us that while man looks at the outward appearance, the Lord looks at the heart. This calls for deep reflection on what we think about when no one else is watching.

The fifth is feet that are swift to run to evil. This speaks not just of sin itself, but of eagerness toward it. There is a difference between stumbling into sin and pursuing it without hesitation. When something dishonors God, do we pause, or do we participate? Proverbs 4:15 instructs us to avoid the path of evil and turn away from it. This challenges us to consider whether we are resisting temptation or entertaining it.

The sixth is a false witness who speaks lies. This goes beyond dishonesty and enters into the realm of intentional harm through falsehood. It includes slander, twisting narratives, and presenting falsehood as truth. This is serious because it damages reputations and undermines justice. God values truth, and false testimony corrupts it. We must consider whether our words uphold truth or distort it for personal gain or influence.

Finally, the seventh is one who sows discord among brethren. This is especially significant because God values unity among His people. Division disrupts relationships, hinders purpose, and creates environments where the enemy can operate. Psalms 133:1 declares how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity. Sowing discord can look like stirring conflict, spreading negativity, or creating unnecessary tension. The question becomes whether we are peacemakers or participants in division.

This passage is not meant to shame us, but to shape us. Each of us has fallen short in one or more of these areas, but God’s grace meets us in our awareness. He does not reveal these things to condemn us, but to transform us. Psalms 51:10 expresses this beautifully: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” This is an invitation to reflect, repent, and realign. When our hearts align with God, our lives begin to reflect Him.

Closing Prayer
Father God, thank You for Your Word that corrects us in love. We ask that You search our hearts and remove anything that is not like You. Where there is pride, give us humility. Where there is dishonesty, establish truth. Where there is division, make us peacemakers. Transform our thoughts, our words, and our actions so that we reflect Your character in all we do. We surrender fully to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

”Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9.

Some battles don’t end as quickly as we prayed they would. What we thought would be a short season turns into something longer, heavier, and more stretching than expected. And in those moments, the enemy whispers lies—telling you that delay means defeat, that weariness means God has forgotten you, or that the length of the battle is proof you won’t win.

But that is not the truth.

A long battle does not mean a lost battle. Sometimes it means God is doing a deeper work in you—one that could only be developed through endurance. The Bible reminds us in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” The harvest is still coming. The promise is still intact. And God’s timing has not failed.

Think of a tree planted by water. For a while, nothing seems to change. No visible growth. No outward sign of progress. But beneath the surface, roots are stretching deeper, anchoring stronger. What cannot be seen is preparing what will soon be revealed. In the same way, God often works in hidden places before He reveals visible breakthrough.

Throughout scripture, we see this pattern again and again. David endured long seasons of waiting before stepping fully into his calling. Joseph carried a promise through betrayal and imprisonment before it came to pass. Hannah prayed through years of silence before her answer arrived. Even Jesus Christ endured suffering before resurrection glory.

So don’t mistake the middle for the end.

Isaiah 40:31 declares, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles…” Notice—it doesn’t say you’ll avoid the battle. It says you’ll be strengthened in it. God knows how to sustain you while you stand, to renew you while you wait, and to carry you when you feel like you have nothing left.

If the battle feels longer than expected, don’t lay down your faith. Don’t surrender your peace. Don’t allow exhaustion to convince you to walk away from what God promised. The same God who kept you yesterday is keeping you right now. And He will finish what He started.

Sometimes the longest battles produce the strongest believers. They teach you how to trust when you can’t see, how to pray when you’re tired, and how to stand when nothing around you seems to move. And when God brings you through, your testimony won’t just be that you survived—it will be that He sustained you.

Prayer:

Lord, when the battle feels longer than expected, help me not to lose heart. Strengthen me where I am weak, steady me where I am shaken, and remind me that delay is not denial. Teach me to trust You in the middle and to stand firm until Your purpose is fulfilled. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Exceptional grace is not ordinary mercy—it is the kind of grace that shows up when you thought the story was over. It is the bridge God builds when you are standing at the edge of what feels like a canyon too wide to cross. You didn’t have the strength, the resources, or even the clarity to move forward—but grace made a way. Scripture tells us in Ephesians 2:8–9 that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works, so no one can boast. That means exceptional grace is not earned; it is extended. It is the unmerited favor of God stepping into your weakness and doing what you could never do on your own. When Paul pleaded for his struggle to be removed, the Lord answered in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Exceptional grace doesn’t always remove the storm—but it gives you supernatural strength to stand in it.

Think of grace like sunlight breaking through heavy clouds. The storm may still be rumbling, but the light shifts everything. What once felt like abandonment becomes evidence of divine covering. What looked like rejection becomes redirection. What felt like loss becomes refinement. Romans 5:20 reminds us, “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” That is exceptional grace—grace that outpaces your mistakes, outruns your fears, and overrides the enemy’s plans. It is the reason you survived betrayal. It is the reason you are healing after heartbreak. It is the reason your faith did not die in the valley. Grace did not simply visit you; it carried you.

For every woman who has walked through confusion, injustice, or silent tears, hear this: exceptional grace is still at work in your life. You may not see the full structure yet, but the bridge is being built beneath your feet. Lamentations 3:22–23 says His mercies are new every morning—great is His faithfulness. That means today carries fresh grace. Not leftover grace. Not recycled mercy. Fresh provision for this very hour. Stand still long enough to recognize it. Breathe deep enough to receive it. Trust boldly enough to walk forward on it.

Let’s Pray,

Father God, thank You for exceptional grace—the kind I could never earn and do not deserve. Thank You for building bridges where I saw only broken places. When I feel weak, remind me that Your strength is perfected in my weakness. When I cannot trace Your hand, help me trust Your heart. Let Your grace cover my past, steady my present, and prepare my future. Teach me to walk confidently on the bridge You have built for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

Narcissism exalts self, but God exalts humility. At its core, narcissism is the elevation of self above truth, above accountability, and often above God. Scripture warns us clearly: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Pride was the original sin that caused Lucifer to fall (Isaiah 14:12–15), and it is the same spirit that fractures marriages, families, churches, and nations today. Narcissism thrives where there is unchecked pride, manipulation, and a refusal to repent. But God’s way is different. God’s way is truth, humility, boundaries, and righteousness.

In 2 Timothy 3:1–5, Paul describes people in the last days as “lovers of themselves… proud… abusive… without self-control.” He does not instruct us to fix them. He says, “Have nothing to do with such people.” That is sobering. God does not call you to rescue someone who refuses conviction. He calls you to walk in wisdom. Proverbs 22:3 reminds us, “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” Dealing with narcissism God’s way means recognizing fruit (Matthew 7:16), not clinging to potential. It means believing patterns, not promises.

Jesus Himself modeled boundaries. When the Pharisees tried to trap Him, He did not argue endlessly. When crowds sought Him only for miracles, He withdrew (Luke 5:16). When Herod wanted to see Him perform, He remained silent (Luke 23:9). Silence is not weakness. Withdrawal is not failure. Sometimes distance is obedience. Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Notice it does not say peace at any cost. Peace requires two willing hearts. Where there is manipulation and domination, peace may require separation.

God’s way to deal with narcissism is not retaliation, nor is it self-abandonment. It is truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), strong boundaries (Proverbs 4:23), and trust in divine justice. Romans 12:19 assures us, “Do not take revenge… for it is written: ‘Vengeance is Mine, says the Lord.’” You are not called to carry what God has promised to judge. Your assignment is to guard your heart, renew your mind (Romans 12:2), and remain rooted in Christ. Healing begins when you stop trying to change someone who refuses transformation and instead allow God to restore you.

Narcissism feeds on control. God invites surrender. Narcissism demands admiration. God calls for repentance. Narcissism distorts love. God defines love as patient, kind, not self-seeking (1 Corinthians 13:4–5). When you align with God’s definition, you will no longer confuse chaos with passion or control with protection. You will discern fruit. You will walk in wisdom. And you will remember that your identity is not found in surviving someone’s ego, but in belonging to Christ.

Closing Prayer

Father God,

We come before You asking for wisdom, discernment, and courage. Where pride has wounded us, heal us. Where manipulation has confused us, bring clarity. Teach us to recognize fruit, to set godly boundaries, and to walk in humility without becoming doormats. Guard our hearts from bitterness. Help us trust Your justice and not seek our own revenge. Restore what has been broken. Renew our minds with truth. Strengthen us to live in peace where possible and to step away when necessary. Above all, anchor our identity in You, not in the approval or control of others.

“Any Kingdom divided against itself is laid waste: and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.” Matthew 12:25

Division has always been one of the enemy’s most effective weapons. Rarely loud or dramatic at first, it begins subtly—through pride, offense, insecurity, miscommunication, or unhealed wounds. But once it takes root, it weakens people from the inside out.

Scripture gives us a powerful example. After the reign of King Solomon, Israel divided under Rehoboam and Jeroboam (1 Kings 12). What began as harsh leadership and pride turned into a fractured nation. The result was instability, spiritual compromise, false worship, and eventual captivity.

The enemy did not need to immediately destroy Israel from the outside. The division within made the nation vulnerable. And his strategy has not changed.

If Satan cannot stop God’s purpose, he will attempt to divide the people carrying it. He divides marriages. Ministries. Families. Churches. Friendships. Leadership teams. Because unity releases strength, but division drains it.

The book of Epistle of James warns us, “Where envy and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16). Confusion is fertile ground for destruction. When unity fractures, clarity fades. When clarity fades, purpose weakens.

A Metaphor: The Cracked Foundation

Imagine a beautiful building with polished floors and strong walls. From the outside, it looks secure. But beneath the surface, small cracks form in the foundation. They seem minor. Harmless. Easy to ignore.

Over time, pressure widens those cracks. The weight of responsibility, stress, and external storms begin to expose what was already fractured within. Eventually, the structure collapses—not because the storm was too strong, but because the foundation was already compromised.

Division is that crack.

It often begins small: a misunderstanding, an unspoken hurt, a prideful decision, a refusal to listen. Left unaddressed, it widens. And when pressure comes, what was hidden becomes visible.

Jesus prayed in Gospel of John 17 that His followers would be one. Unity is not optional. It is strategic. Unity protects vision. It strengthens spiritual authority. It guards the purposes of God.

Before we blame external opposition, we must examine internal fractures. Where has pride replaced humility? Where has offense gone unresolved? Where has silence replaced honest conversation?

Division rarely announces itself loudly. It quietly erodes strength until collapse feels sudden—though it was gradual.

But there is hope.

Humility repairs cracks. Forgiveness seals fractures. Truth rebuilds foundations. Prayer restores alignment.

The enemy thrives on division. Heaven thrives on unity.

And a kingdom standing together—anchored in God—cannot be easily shaken.

That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:17

There is a powerful truth woven throughout Scripture: before God entrusts His servants with influence, responsibility, or victory, He often allows them to walk through seasons of intense spiritual training. What looks like hardship is often preparation. What feels like delay is often development. In God’s kingdom, reigning is preceded by training.

Joseph’s life is a clear example. Called by God through prophetic dreams, Joseph’s journey did not move directly from promise to fulfillment. He was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned. Yet Genesis 50:20 reveals the outcome: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done.” Joseph’s suffering shaped his character so he could steward authority with wisdom and humility.

David was anointed king long before he ever wore a crown. He spent years fleeing from Saul, hiding in caves, and learning to trust God in isolation. In Psalm 66:10–12, David later writes, “For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.” The shepherd’s trials prepared him to lead with a heart after God rather than a hunger for power.

Even the apostle Paul endured immense hardship while serving the Lord. He faced persecution, imprisonment, shipwrecks, and rejection. Yet he declared in 2 Timothy 4:7–8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Paul understood that suffering was not a sign of God’s absence but evidence of His refining work.

Spiritual hardship does not mean you are off course. Often, it means you are being trained for something greater than you can currently see. Romans 8:17 reminds us that if we share in Christ’s sufferings, we will also share in His glory. God never wastes pain. Every test develops endurance, discernment, and dependence on Him.

If you are in a season of struggle, take heart. The pressure you feel is not meant to crush you—it is shaping you for future responsibility, deeper faith, and lasting victory. You are not being punished; you are being prepared.

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Prayer

God, thank You for being with us in every season of training. When the road feels hard, give us strength to endure and eyes to see Your purpose. Refine our hearts, deepen our faith, and prepare us for what You have called us to. We trust that You are working all things together for good and leading us toward victory. Amen.

“ My grace is sufficient for you, my Power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

There is something deeply countercultural about the idea that God’s power is made perfect in weakness. Everything around us teaches us to hide our struggles, polish our image, and prove our strength. We are encouraged to “push through,” “stay strong,” and “hold it together.” Yet God invites us into a completely different way of being.

In Scripture, we are reminded that God’s strength does not replace our weakness—it meets it. When we are weak, exhausted, or unsure, we are not disqualified from God’s presence. In fact, those moments often become the very places where His power is most visible.

Think of a cracked clay pot. On its own, the cracks seem like flaws—imperfections that make it less valuable. But when light is placed inside the pot, the cracks become pathways. The light doesn’t escape despite the cracks; it escapes because of them. In the same way, our weakness becomes the place where God’s light shines through most clearly. What we see as brokenness, God sees as openness.

Weakness humbles us. It reminds us that we were never meant to carry life alone. It loosens our grip on control and invites us to lean into grace. When we stop pretending we are strong enough on our own, we make room for God to work in ways we could never manufacture ourselves.

God does not ask us to overcome our weakness before He uses us. He asks us to bring it to Him. Our tears, our fears, our limitations—none of these repel God. They draw Him near. His power is not loud or forceful; it is steady, faithful, and often revealed in quiet endurance rather than dramatic rescue.

If you are feeling weak today, take heart. Your weakness is not the end of the story. It may be the very beginning of a deeper encounter with God’s strength, peace, and sustaining grace.

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Prayer

God,

We come to You just as we are—tired, imperfect, and in need.

Help us release the pressure to be strong on our own.

Meet us in our weakness and fill us with Your strength.

Let Your power shine through every cracked place in our lives.

We trust You to carry what we cannot.

In Jesus’ name. Amen

Storms don’t ask permission. They arrive suddenly—through betrayal, loss, fear, uncertainty, life threatening illness or spiritual opposition. One moment the waters are calm, and the next you’re fighting waves you never saw coming. In those moments, faith is not proven by the absence of fear, but by where you anchor your hope.

Scripture reminds us that God never promised a storm-free life—but He did promise His presence, His power, and His peace in the middle of it.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” — Psalm 46:1

A ship’s anchor does not stop the storm. It does not silence the wind or flatten the waves. What it does is hold the vessel in place so it is not carried away, destroyed, or smashed against unseen rocks.

In the same way, God’s promises do not always remove the storm immediately—but they keep you grounded while it passes. When emotions surge and circumstances rage, anchoring yourself to God’s Word keeps your faith from drifting into fear, despair, or doubt.

You don’t anchor after the storm starts—you anchor before the waves rise.

Scriptures for Spiritual Warfare & Faith

Storms often intensify when spiritual warfare is present. The enemy seeks to shake your confidence, weaken your resolve, and convince you that God has forgotten you. But Scripture is your weapon:

• Hebrews 6:19 — “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
• Isaiah 54:17 — “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.”
• Ephesians 6:12 — “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood…”
• 2 Corinthians 10:3–5 — “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God…”
• Mark 4:39 — Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Peace, be still!’

Jesus spoke to storms—and they obeyed. The same authority lives in Him today, and His promises still silence what threatens to overtake you.

When you hold tightly to what God has spoken, the storm may rage—but it will not reign.

Faith does not deny the storm.

Faith declares God is greater than it.

Warfare Prayer to Build Faith

Heavenly Father,

I come to You in the midst of this storm, choosing faith over fear. I anchor my soul in Your promises and declare that Your Word is my refuge and strength. Every weapon formed against my mind, my peace, my body, my purpose, and my future—I declare it will not prosper. I put on the full armor of God and stand firm against every scheme of the enemy.

Lord, speak “Peace, be still” over every raging area of my life. Strengthen my faith, steady my heart, and remind me that You are with me in the storm and faithful to bring me through it. I will not drift, I will not break, and I will not be defeated—because my hope is anchored in You.

In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Faith is not wishful thinking. It is not blind optimism or emotional hype. Scripture defines faith with divine precision:

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” — Hebrews 11:1

Faith is substance—something solid, tangible, and real—long before the promise ever manifests. Hope may be the vision, but faith is the framework that holds that vision steady when nothing around you confirms it yet.

Faith steps forward while circumstances stand still. It believes before it sees, trusts before it understands, and obeys before results appear. This is why faith pleases God—because it declares that His Word is more reliable than visible evidence.

A Metaphor: Faith Is the Bridge Before the Ground Appears

Imagine standing at the edge of a deep fog-covered valley. God tells you to walk forward, but you can’t see what’s beneath your feet. Faith is the bridge that appears only as you step. You don’t get the full view in advance—you get just enough support to take the next step.

If you wait to see the whole bridge, you’ll never move. But when you trust the One who designed it, each step reveals that what felt invisible was actually holding you all along.

That is faith.

Scripture echoes this truth throughout God’s Word:

• 2 Corinthians 5:7 — “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
• Romans 10:17 — “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
• Mark 11:24 — “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
• Matthew 17:20 — “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed… nothing will be impossible for you.”

Faith does not require perfection—only surrender. Even mustard-seed faith carries heaven’s power because it is anchored in God, not in us.

For women who have endured disappointment, betrayal, or long seasons of waiting, faith may feel fragile. But fragile faith is still faith. Shaking faith is still faith. Faith that whispers instead of shouts still moves God’s heart.

Faith is choosing to trust God’s character when His plan feels unclear. It is holding on when hope feels delayed. And it is declaring, “I may not see it yet, but I believe God is working.”

Hope looks ahead.

Faith stands now.

And God meets you in the middle.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the gift of faith—the substance that holds us steady when life feels uncertain. Strengthen our trust in You when we cannot see the outcome. Help us walk by faith and not by fear, to believe Your Word over our circumstances, and to hold hope without wavering. Grow our faith, even if it begins small, and let it produce endurance, peace, and confidence in You.

In Jesus’ name, Amen