Superheroes of Faith

Joanie Shawhan is deep in biblical wisdom, with a wide range of interests and talents. In this Faith UPGRADE, she points to other women she admires and emulates—women in the Bible and in modern-day life, and even some "unsung heroes" of faith.Joanie says, "I’ll never outgrow my need for superheroes."

I (Dawn) agree! My description of superheroes has changed over the years. There are many I admire—including Joanie! They inspire me and give me hope.

Joanie continues . . .

Superheroes use their extraordinary abilities to make the world a better place.

But not all superheroes wear capes.

My superheroes are women of faith empowered by the Spirit of God.

I am grateful to the Lord for the godly women He has brought into my life to mentor me. One in particular prayed for me and many others, despite her poor health and constant pain.

Her faithfulness, wisdom, and godly character offered me examples of love, hope, and courage that changed my life.

In teaching me the scriptures, she introduced me to the following women of faith. I devoured their stories of faithfulness in the face of opposition and even persecution.

1. Biblical Women of Faith

• Deborah

As a prophetess and judge in Israel, she led her people into battle, defeating their enemy. (Judges 4:4-16)

• Ruth

Her devotion to her mother-in-law and her humble service is a beautiful example of selfless love. (Ruth 1:6-18; 2:2-3, 11-12; 3:11)

• Esther

Even though a queen, she recognized the significance of her position and risked her life on behalf of her people. God had raised up Esther for a specific time and purpose. (Esther 4:16; 5:1-3; 8:3-6)

• Mary

When the angel announced the birth of Jesus, Mary believed the God of the impossible. She believed even when she didn’t understand. (Luke 1:26-38)

2. Modern-day Women of Faith

• Elisabeth Elliot

After her husband was martyred by the Auca Indians in Ecuador, Elizabeth took her young daughter and lived among the tribe who murdered her husband.

Her sacrifice resulted in the salvation of this unreached people group. She mirrors God’s bigger picture of love and forgiveness.

• Dr. Helen Roseveare

While establishing hospitals in the Congo, Dr. Roseveare was subjected to many atrocities for five months under the hands of rebel terrorists.

After her rescue, she rebuilt the hospitals that had been destroyed and continued to care for the needs of the African people. She persevered in her call despite persecution.

• Gladys Aylward

When a missionary board dismissed Gladys for her lack of language skills, she refused to be deterred from her calling.

She spent her entire savings, boarded a train, and traveled through Siberia to China. She recognized God had opened a door for her to preach the gospel when the Chinese government requested her assistance to travel the countryside and discourage the footbinding tradition.

During the Japanese invasion, she led more than 100 orphans over the mountains to safety. In her yes to God, she received a mother’s heart for the children of China.

• Corrie ten Boom

Corrie and her sister Betsy endured the brutality of the Ravensbruck concentration camp as punishment for hiding Jews in Nazi Germany.

Despite the starvation and cruelty, they prayed and shared Scripture with their fellow prisoners, offering hope in the midst of darkness. 

3. Unsung Women of Faith

• Overcomers

Women who have overcome adversity and tragedy.

Whether suffering a loss or a health crisis, they continue to serve Jesus with joy.

• Prayer Warriors

Women who persevere in prayer when the battle seems never-ending and they wonder if they have enough strength to carry on.

But they hold on to the promises of God and pray.

• The Faithful

Women who are faithful to the call of God, no matter how insignificant the task may seem.

• The Courageous

Women who continue to say yes to God.

Yes to the unknown. Yes to leaving their comfort zones. Yes in the face of fear. Yes to testifying to the goodness and faithfulness of God in the midst of fiery trials.

How God has impacted my life through the lives of women I have known—and those I've never met!

Not all are missionaries or Bible characters. But these courageous women, spanning the ages, inspire me with their wisdom and offer me hope.

Many would never consider themselves courageous or heroic. But they challenge me, teach me godly character, and provide me with a roadmap when I face adversity. Through their examples, I have learned to forgive, overcome obstacles, and love difficult people.

They make my world, our world, a better place.

Many are unsung heroes of faith—the unseen, living quiet, godly lives empowered by the Holy Spirit. But their works are noted in heaven.

These are the women I honor—my superheroes. They are followers of Jesus: everyday women who have faced challenges and overcome adversity.

They are not clothed with superhero capes, but with strength, dignity, and joy.

Charm can be misleading, and beauty is vain and so quickly fades, but this virtuous woman lives in the wonder, awe, and fear of the Lord. She will be praised throughout eternity (Proverbs 31:30 TPT).

Who are the superheroes of faith in your life?

Joanie Shawhan is a Selah Awards Finalist for her book, In Her Shoes: Dancing in the Shadow of Cancer. An ovarian cancer survivor and registered nurse, she speaks to medical students in the Survivors Teaching Students program and co-founded an ovarian cancer social group: The Fried Eggs—Sunny-Side Up. When not attending her book club or writing critique group, Joanie advocates for ovarian cancer awareness and enjoys swimming, knitting, and playing autoharp. Contact Joanie at  www.joanieshawhan.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Miguel Bruna at Unsplash.

Lessons Learned on My Kneeling Prayer Pillow

Yvonne Ortega, author of a series of books—Moving from Broken to Beautiful®—wants women to know how to cope biblically when struggles come. In this Prayer UPGRADE, she encourages us to turn to the Lord when trials come.

Yvonne says, “I fell to my knees on my kneeling prayer pillow and said, ‘God, I feel helpless. What can I do?”

I (Dawn) have felt helpless many times. When alone in a struggle. When it seemed I was doomed to fail no matter my choice. After a terrible diagnosis. But in every case, time with the Lord lifted my burden and enabled me to move forward with peace and joy.

Yvonne continues . . .

“I had a radical mastectomy,” my cousin told me on the phone.

My mind went back to the wonderful visit we enjoyed the previous summer. I blew kisses to her and her husband and said, “I’ll see you next summer.”

Little did we know a pandemic would strike and change our plans. Her health would also change.

The following week after my cousin’s call about her surgery, I called to check on her. She told me her younger sister had something similar to a stroke. It caused weakness in one leg and difficulty speaking.

My cousin reminded me that her younger sister had been born with Arterial Vascular Malfunction, which caused the “stroke.”

“Without daily physical therapy and exercise on her own, she’ll be paralyzed.”

She asked me to call her younger sister “because she’s religious like you are.” Before I did that, I fell to my knees again.

“Oh, dear God, I feel more and more helpless. I’m a thousand miles away and cannot travel. Both of their parents passed away years ago. What can I do? What can I say? Please God, show me.”

That same week, I made numerous attempts to reach my elderly aunt and uncle. They live in a senior community in an independent living suite. When my cell phone rang, I could see they were the ones calling me. At the sight of a big smile on my uncle’s face, I smiled, too, and felt relieved.

Then, my aunt said, “We’re quarantined to our rooms again.” 

“What happened?” I asked.

“One of the residents died from COVID-19.”

My heart raced.

When we hung up, I headed to my kneeling prayer pillow again.

“God, if the coronavirus doesn’t end soon, I’ll wear out my kneeling prayer pillow and need knee replacement surgery. What can I do for my aunt and uncle? You must have something you want to teach me.”

Here are three lessons God is teaching me about how I am to pray.

1. I am to praise the Lord.

The psalmist wrote,

“Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul. I will praise the Lord all my life” (Psalm 146:1–2a NIV).

I noticed that passage didn’t read, “Praise the Lord only when you receive good news.” It simply told me to praise the Lord. I needed to spend time in praise to the Sovereign Lord because of who he is.

The passage also told me that my SOUL is to praise the Lord.

I wondered why it didn’t read body and soul until I read Matthew 10:28. Before Jesus sent out his disciples, he told them,

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

The soul lives on. It is eternal.

2. I am to sing for joy to the Lord.

When I read Psalm 95, I stared at it and read it slowly. I read it a second time and pointed to each word.

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker” (Psalm 95:1 and 6).

I am not to sing for happiness but for joy.

Happiness depends on earthly pleasures or good luck. Joy is eternal. I can sing for joy because God is my Rock and my Maker.

And there’s that word, again, “kneel.”

I bow down in worship and kneel before him. He is the Creator. I am the created.

3. I am to pray with a heart of thanksgiving.

In Philippians 4: 6, Paul wrote,

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

This third lesson is still in progress in my life.

Do I pray with thanksgiving because I expect God to say “Yes” to my requests?
Do I pray with thanksgiving so that God will think He must meet my expectations?

My answer is “Sometimes” to both questions.

• I struggle to surrender my will to His.
• I pray with thanksgiving because God knows the big picture.
• I trust Him to do what is best in the long run.

How will you pray this week?

Yvonne Ortega walks with a small footprint but leaves a giant imprint in people’s lives. She is the author of the Moving from Broken to Beautiful® Series through cancer, forgiveness, and grief. Yvonne speaks with honesty and humor as she shares her life and struggles to help women find peace, power, and purpose through God’s Word. She celebrates life at the beach where she walks, builds sand castles, blows bubbles, and dances. For more information about Yvonne, visit her website.

Graphic of Pillow Cover Case adapted (original without the words). It can be purchased — CaliTime Cozy Bolster Pillow Cover Case at Amazon.

Silencing the Whisper of Fear

Cathy Horning is a woman of wisdom and prayer, informed by her knowledge of the Word and ways of God. In this Attitude UPGRADE, she exposes the enemy of fear—how it attacks our thought life—and how we can learn to face down our fears in positive ways.

“Fear’s whisper plants a seed in our thoughts," Cathy says, quoting a friend. "Then fear continues it’s whispers to take over our whole mind.”

I (Dawn) know the power of an unauthorized thought. Unless challenged with truth—and taking our thoughts captive (2 Corinthians 10:5)—fear takes over and affects our attitudes and actions!

Cathy continues . . .

Recently, I read this Facebook post:

“So who else here starts freaking out if you have a little tickle in your throat or cough a few times?  I think we are all going to have some MAJOR PTSD from this stupid COVID! Go away... we don't want you anymore!”

Dozens responded to my friend’s post. Including me.

You see, I understand the scare of the throat tickle and cough, because the first few weeks of 2020 I was sick. Really sick.

It started with tummy troubles, then chills, a fever, then a dry cough that turned into a deep one, with tightness in my chest. The worst part of all, though, was a weakness that just wouldn't go away.

After six weeks, I went to the doctor, which revealed only a vitamin D deficiency. 

I chalked it up to a winter flu.

At the time, there were no daily news reports to whisper fear into me with terms like "plague," "pandemic," "coronavirus" or "COVID-19."

But as tummy troubles, fatigue, lethargy and more turned into a deep, tight chest cough, I felt fear’s whisper as I remembered my battle with pneumonia the year before. I recognized fear’s poisonous voice, andA immediately, I began the battle to silence its control.

1. I silenced the whispers of fear with PRAYER!

A Prayer of Surrender from Romans 12:1 —

“Father, I offer my body to You as a living sacrifice. Sanctify me through and through, and make me holy and pleasing to You. Teach me how to live every breath of my life in worship service to You.”

A Prayer of Trust from Daniel 5:23d —

“I honor You, dear Lord God! I thank You that You hold in Your hand my life and all of my ways!”

A Prayer for Healing from Mark 16:18 and Romans 8:11 —

“Thank you Jesus, You said that believers will lay hands on the sick and they will recover. So, Lord, I lay my hands on my sick body and I ask for You to heal me.” 

And, “Abba Father, thank You that the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead is living in me. So, please let Your indwelling Holy Spirit quicken and give life to my mortal body, now!”

2. I silenced the whispers of fear with SELF-CARE!

As every part of my body grew weaker, I knew I had neglected my own health during the holidays.

• I had become lazy about taking my daily vitamins.
• I ate too many holiday treats.
• And, routine exercise had flown out the window.

Experience told me that neglecting any one of these was deadly on my immune system.

I knew I needed to take better care of myself.

• I restocked my vitamins, adding D and C, and faithfully took them each day.
• I stopped eating sugary snacks—almost completely.
• And, I began to walk often, a little more each day, as my strength gradually returned. 

3. I silenced the whispers of fear by LIMITING what I watched and read, as well as HEEDING the wisdom and instruction of those I trusted!

As I healed, some symptoms lingered for several more weeks, especially at night. Each time, fear’s whispers were fueled by the daily COVID reports, as well as by any ache, throat tickle or cough.

So, I silenced the whispers of fear by turning off the news and scrolling past the social media posts which fed the fear and anxiety.

Plus, I embraced the resources I read and learned about from others.

• I used good old Vicks (vapor rub and lozenges) for little coughs and throat tickles.
• I started each day with hot showers and pounding on my chest and back. It couldn’t hurt, right?
• And, I saved posts about old-fashioned respiratory therapy exercises, often used before modern medicines and machines.

When I wrote my last UPGRADE post—right after the shut down had begun—we all hoped it would end quickly. Now, here we are six months later.

Our world turned upside-down.

The whispers of fear have traumatized many, as my friend’s earlier post described. However, we don’t have to fall victim to fear’s control.

Each time we hear its whisper, we can run to the Lord in prayer. We can take care of ourselves with right eating, purposeful exercise, and immune boosting vitamins. And, we can turn off the incessant bad news, and, instead, utilize helpful information we find from reliable sources.

As our weeks have turned into months of restrictions and shutdowns, I still fight to silence the whispers of fear.

I wear masks and sanitize my hands. I am careful when I am out. And, I pray, a lot. I am taking care of my heath the best I can. And, I carefully choose what I read, listen to, and watch.

I know fear’s whisper would take over my mind, if I let it.

How about you? Do you recognize fear’s whispers? How do you silence this quiet enemy who longs to control your mind?

Cathy Horning is a popular speaker, Bible teacher, mentor, blogger and author. She is first and foremost a wife, mom and grammy, who passionately loves to teach and encourage others in faith, marriage and parenting, as well as how to delight daily in the Word of God. Visit Cathy's website for more information.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Moni McKein at Pixabay.

As if Chained with Them

Kathi Macias' novels about issues like human traficking, survival in non-Christian surroundings and persecution of Christ-followers have challenged me greatly and encouraged my desire to pray for the persecuted Church. In this Biblical Thinking UPGRADE, she encourages us to consider the persecuted in a more impassioned and involved way.

"The Bible tells us to remember the prisoners—those who suffer for their faith—'as if chained with them,'" Kathi says. "This is more than a call to remember our persecuted brothers and sisters in prayer; and it is also a call to do whatever we can to ease their suffering and strengthen their witness."

Many years ago in college, I (Dawn) was first moved to pray for the Persecuted Church in Russia. I felt their struggle and cried out to God in their behalf. It's a burden that's never left me, and I'm glad to see Kathi opening her heart about it today.

Kathi continues . . .

As a new believer in 1974, I came to view the Church through an "American lens," as if every Christian around the world lived and worshipped in much the same setting and circumstances as I did.

However, after hearing a few guest missionaries speak at our church's evening services, my understanding of the plight of many believers in other countries changed drastically.

In addition, my Bible reading regarding the early Church took on new meaning. I realized it wasn't just first-century Christians who suffered persecution; it was also believers around the world today who suffer unimaginable hardships for no reason other than their faith in Christ.

It was during that time that I read the third chapter of Hebrews—not for the first time since becoming a believer, but for the first time since my eyes were opened to the plight of fellow believers. Verse 13 nearly jumped off the page as I read it over several times:

“Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also” (NKJV).

Now I have since heard that scripture used in prison ministry, and I don’t discount that, as I too have served in jail and prison ministries through the years and have quoted that verse more than once in that setting.

However, it is obvious from a clear reading of this verse that the author is referring to believers, those who, like us, “are in the body also.” It is also clear that we are to “remember” these prisoners as if we, too, were “chained with them.” What does that mean?

How do we remember others as if we suffered with them?

1. Of course, we must “remember” to pray for them as if we were praying for ourselves (or a loved one) in such dire straits.

I know that if I were the one in chains, I would be in constant prayer and communion with God about every aspect of my situation. And if one of my grown children or grandchildren were being held in such circumstances, that remembrance would no doubt be my last anguished thought as I drifted off to sleep at night, and the first thought when I awoke the next morning.

I would need no reminding or prodding to pray for them; it would flow naturally and regularly from my broken heart.

And that is the type of ongoing, heartfelt prayer God calls us to in Hebrews.

But is prayer enough—even regular, anguished prayer? It is, of course, the first and most important thing we can do for our suffering brothers and sisters in Christ, but can we take it to the next step?

Is there something we can do beyond lifting those “in chains” to God, the only One who can help them?

I believe there is—and I believe we must.

2. Do what you can to ease their suffering.

If, as the verse declares, we are to “remember” our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ “as if chained with them,” then we need to do for them what we would want others to do for us if we or our family members were the ones in chains. We would want them to pray and also to do what they could to help ease our suffering.

As a result of coming to understand that, I have personally become involved with several worldwide ministries, including Voice of the Martyrs who work tirelessly to assist persecuted believers around the world.

Not only do I receive email updates from them with information on how to pray for certain people, but I also receive their monthly magazine, containing inspirational stories of believers who have stood strong under persecution and seen God’s faithfulness in the middle of it.

Gratitude for prayer is a hallmark of their victorious testimonies.

They also express their appreciation for help received, such as food or clothing or other material assistance.

One of my greatest joys is to know that I help monthly by financially supporting someone who trusts God and goes out to minister in some of the most dangerous places imaginable.

In addition to Voice of the Martyrs, other ministries (i.e., Open Doors, Compassion International) offer opportunities to “remember” those who suffer “as if chained with them.” Working with such ministries is a way for all believers to participate in answering that call.

Not only does such ministry involvement bless and encourage others around the world, it deepens our relationship with the One who calls us to do so.

Are you praying for the Persecuted Church? If not, ask God to move your heart to do so. What ministry to those "in chains" of persecution might you consider today to help you cultivate a heart of compassion for brothers and sisters in dangerous places?

Kathi Macias is a multi-award winning writer who has authored nearly 60 books and ghostwritten several others. Kathi won the 2008 Member of the Year award from AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association) and was the 2011 Author of the Year from BooksandAuthors.net. Her novel Red Ink won the 2011 Golden Scrolls Novel of the Year Award and was also a finalist for a Carol Award from American Christian Fiction Writers. Kathi “Easy Writer” Macias lives in Homeland, CA, with her husband, Al. You can learn more about her and her books/ministry at www.kathimacias.com.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Engin Akyurt at Unsplash.

How to Trust God with Unanswered Prayer

Debbie W. Wilson is not only an exceptional Bible teacher, she is a life coach who applies scripture in practical ways. In this Prayer UPGRADE, she addresses a topic that sometimes causes Christians to question the Lord.

Debbie asks, "Have unanswered prayers ever shaken your ability to trust God?"

I (Dawn) know I have had many unanswered prayers. I wondered, "Isn't my faith strong enough?" My focus was all wrong, regardless.

Years ago, a movement named Promise Keepers called men to faithfulness. But this article is about the faithfulness of God. Debbie is calling people to the Faithful Promise Keeper.

Debbie continues . . .

My friend and I prayed for her teenaged sons who were rebelling against her faith and values. Nothing she did seemed to reach them.

One day while reading the Bible she came across a Bible passage that resonated with her.

^"This is what the Lord says: ‘Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,’ declares the Lord.

‘They will return from the land of the enemy. So there is hope for your descendants,’ declares the Lord. ‘Your children will return to their own land’” (Jer. 31:16-17 NIV).

My friend believed this was God’s promise to her.

She repeated “they will return” to herself when their behavior worsened. This word from God boosted her faith whenever she was tempted to worry.

Abraham and Sarah, an Old Testament couple, also found hope in a promise from God. This couple tried for decades to have a child with no success. Sarah was infertile.

Imagine their surprise when God approached Abraham when he was pushing 100 years to say the time had come. Sarah would give birth to a son next year.

“As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her” (Gen. 17:15-16 NIV).

Sarah was at least 89. If she couldn’t conceive during the normal childbearing years, how could she hope to conceive a child now?

When their circumstances contradicted God’s words, they focused on the promise.

Their placed their hope in His ability not in their circumstances.

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed… Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised” (Rom. 4:18-21 NIV).

Abraham didn’t live in denial.

Neither was he a Pollyanna.

He considered his “good as dead” body and Sarah’s dead womb and laughed. God sure had a sense of humor to bring a son from them—now!

At age 100 Abraham held his infant son in his arms. At age 90 Sarah sang lullabies as she nursed her newborn.

God ALWAYS keeps His promises!

God fulfilled His promise to my friend too. Today, both of her children walk with the Lord and are raising their children in the Lord.

How do we trust God when our prayers seem to fall on deaf ears?

1. Ask God for His will and perspective and then expect to receive a word from Him. It may come from your regular Bible reading, a sermon, or what the Holy Spirit brings to mind.
2. Focus on His promise—not on what you see or don’t see. Memorize it and say it out loud.
3. Trust God’s timing. Some of God’s promises—like Abraham being the father of many nations—are bigger than our lifetime.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1 NIV). 

God always keeps His promises.

Has He given you a promise, but you can’t see anyway it will be fulfilled? Trust Him. He is the Promise Keeper.

Debbie W. Wilson—drawing from her walk with Christ and decades as a Christian counselor, life coach, and Bible teacher—helps women give themselves a break so they can enjoy grace-filled lives. Based on Hebrews 11, her most recent book, Little Faith, Big God, shows people how to live strong and finish well. Debbie enjoys a good mystery, dark chocolate, and the antics of her two standard poodles. Refresh your faith with free resources at debbieWwilson.com.