You're Marked For Unending Progress

 

Introduction

Some widows find it difficult to pick up their lives after the death of their husbands. And some others live perpetually under the shadow of their husband's death, refusing to move forward. They always attribute their predicament to the death of their husbands. However, his death is not meant to be an end for you, but the opening of another chapter of your life. This is the truth!

An Unending Progress

Truly, as a child of God, your life is to be unending progress till you meet your Lord. The scripture in Proverbs 4:18 makes it clear that your path is to keep shining brighter and brighter until the perfect day. So, until it reaches its full strength and glory, it will keep shining brighter and brighter.

 

But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day.”

Proverbs 4:18 AMP

Don't pity yourself

Therefore, don't indulge in self-pity, your light won't stop shining if you don't cover it with self-pity. What has happened is that you have come to a crossroads. This is where you must stop before making a turn to the right or to the left. And it's a point you're to wisely, by the help of the Holy Spirit, decide where to turn to.

Let what has passed pass

Surely, it's sad that your husband died when he did. However, you can't turn the hand of the time backward, it can only move on, so let him pass on. Also, let the living ones, including you, continue their lives. What has happened has happened. Read more...

How To support the Widows

 

The widows in our midst need our support, not just sympathy. They don't need our pity because they're not handicapped. As such they only need our support till they find their feet. And the main thing to do is to show love to them. This you can do through different means

 

But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”

I John 3:17 NKJV

 

How To Support The Widows

1. Words of Encouragement

 

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

I Thessalonians 5:11 NKJV

 

God wants us to comfort the widows, and most importantly edify them. So, we are to give them words of encouragement based on the word of God. And the encouragement is to help them find their feet faster. Also, the words of encouragement are to draw them closer to God and not farther away from Him.

 

2. Financial support

 

“If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.”

I Timothy 5:16 NKJV

 

Most of the challenges widows have are related to finance. This is because what two people's money used to manage to solve, only one person's money of the same amount is to solve them now. And sometimes, the widow wasn't contributing before because she was just a housewife taking care of the home. So, now her husband is no more, finance is now a big mountain before her. Therefore, one major way to support a widow is by giving her money.

 

3. Material support

 

At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates. And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.”

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 NKJV 

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Who Is A Widow To You?

 

 Who is a widow?

A widow is a woman who has lost her husband to death. Unfortunately, this definition is all many people know of a widow. And to some people, she is a reproach not worthy to be associated with anymore. But she is more than that!

Who is a widow to you?

Imagine a widow you knew before she lost her husband. She was a sister, niece, daughter, cousin, mother, colleague, and neighbour to some person(s). But who is she to you now? Certainly, she didn't change in complexion, height, in her career, or business. Outwardly, she didn't change apart from the fact that her husband is no more.

So, in addition to the fact that her husband is no more, she is still a sister, niece, daughter, cousin, mother, colleague, and neighbour to some person(s). Therefore, she shouldn't be stigmatized with the title widow, and your relationship with her shouldn't go sour. Rather, you are to support her in her broken state.

The beloved of God

Furthermore, God is her husband. So, you must be careful how you treat her. This is because any oppression from you will attract the Lord's wrath and vengeance. God is mindful of a widow and looks out for her welfare.

“Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore. For your Maker is your husband, The LORD of hosts is His name; and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth.”

Isaiah 54:4-5 NKJV Read more...