Encouragement for Today

May 20, 2025 We’re Not Made To Walk Alone KRISTEN MILLER Lee en español

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” Titus 2:3-5 (ESV)

Growing up, I was at church every time the doors were open.

My mom prioritized taking us to church, and at home, she modeled her relationship with God by creating opportunities for us to spend time with Him in our day-to-day lives. Her faithfulness and consistency left an impression on me.

Even now, between caring for her elderly parents, babysitting her grandchildren, and managing her household, she continues to practice the same spiritual disciplines.

As a young woman, I’m thankful to witness her dedication. Along with other female mentors in my life, she fashions her lifestyle in authentic faith and obedience to God. It’s not flashy, and if I’m not careful, I may miss the lessons and examples from these women because of my busyness or apathy. However, when I pause, there’s wisdom I can glean from those older and wiser than me who’ve chosen to live their lives not perfectly but faithfully.

Our lives are beautifully interwoven with those who come before us, those who come after us, and those who we surround ourselves with regularly. It’s impossible to go through life without being impacted by our “inner circle” or community.

Paul recognized this in his letter to Titus. The people of Crete, where Titus was sent as a pastor, were known for a lifestyle opposite to the character and teachings of Christ. And the Christians in Crete were patterning their lives after their culture rather than Jesus’ teachings. It was in that climate that Paul advised women to live reverent lives devoted to God:

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled” (Titus 2:3-5).

In our own society that values independence, we can still choose to learn from godly women who walk ahead of us. We need each other.

Mothers, we don’t have to walk out motherhood in isolation.
Wives, we don’t have to learn how to respect our husbands on our own.
Young women, we don’t have to figure out God’s plan without help.
Widows, we don’t have to pick up the pieces by ourselves.
Older women, we don’t have to weather life’s transitions solo.

We don’t have to do it on our own because with God, we’re never alone. And He’s also given us biblical community to lean on, look to and learn from. He’s equipped us to find mentors, share our struggles and grow into biblical womanhood. May we live loved.

Father, show me who I can learn from in this season as well as who I can mentor by my example. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Biblical mothers can be examples for us to look to as well. Curious about which biblical mom you are most like? We’ve put together a fun and insightful quiz to help you discover your similarities!

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FOR DEEPER STUDY

1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (NIV).

Philippians 2:14-15, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky …” (NIV).

Who is someone in your life you’re currently learning from? Who is someone you can encourage? Share in the comments.

© 2025 by Kristen Miller. All rights reserved.

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