Be A Powerful Woman Of God: A Testament of His Goodness

By Carol Romeo

If I were to ask you, "Are you a carrier of the power of God?" would your answer be, "Yes?" Or...if not, do you know how to achieve it? It is Jesus' promise to impart to you all that you need so that your life would be a testimony to His righteousness and His power.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliant Books Literary
• Release date: Oct 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781641338998

Carol Romeo

Carol Romeo is an author, speaker, and a well-known experienced marriage and family therapist. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology and her master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Azusa Pacific University. Carol has a master's degree in Practical Ministry from Wagner Leadership Institute. She is passionate about her goal to bring emotional, psychological, and spiritual healing to individuals, couples, and families.

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Humility

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do… And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:12–13, 17 New King James)

Where do we begin in our journey to becoming Powerful Women? Obviously, it begins with God. Since we are talking about powerful women of God, the foundation has to be our relationship with God. Humility is the key which will open the heart to the love of God. Therefore, it is not our strength, which brings the power of God, but it is our humility. We have to start low, on our knees before God, to achieve the resources of God.

Ruth (biblical)

Ruth showed all the wonderful characteristics of what it looks like to be humble. She was a Moabitess, whose people were hated by early Israel, but she ends up winning their hearts because of her kindness, especially towards her mother-in-law, Naomi. Naomi’s both sons had died. Ruth was the widow of Mahlon and Orpah was the widow Chilion. Naomi’s family had left Bethlehem ten years prior and settled in Moab because of famine. Moab was a fertile land, but it was there that Naomi’s husband and two sons died.

Naomi was old and weary and longed to return to her homeland. When she was ready to leave, she begged her two daughters-in-law to stay at their mother’s house. Orpah wanted to stay but Ruth clung lovingly to Naomi. This is what Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. (Ruth 1:16 New King James) Ruth’s loving sacrifice to Naomi was noticed and admired by all the neighboring people. For all the people of my town know that you are a virtuous woman. (Ruth 3:11 New King James)

Ruth, in her humility, took the lowliest of tasks in order to support herself and her mother-in-law. She worked in the fields following the reapers and gathering up the fragments of grain, which were left behind for the poor. Ruth gleaned all day in the hot sun, and then gladly returned to Naomi at the close of the day with her small harvest. One day Ruth came upon a field belonging to Boaz, who was a distant kinsman of Naomi’s husband. Ruth worked in his field alongside the other poor gleaners and was unknown to Boaz. She did not rush to Boaz to introduce herself, but worked diligently at her task.

Boaz noticed her, however, and offered her protection. He ordered his young men not to touch her and invited her to drink of the water which they had drawn. Boaz then found out about the sacrifices she had made and was even more impressed by her. Boaz declared to her, The Lord repay your work, and a full reward be given you by the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge. (Ruth 2:12 New King James) When Ruth discovered through Naomi that Boaz was a close relative of theirs, she listened to Naomi’s suggestions to find a way to come under his provision. She laid at his feet as he slept as a gesture of submission and honor to him as the supposed nearest kinsman of the family. Boaz assured her that he was her debtor for the preference she had shown him.

So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went into her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel. (Ruth 4:13–14 New King James)’ Ruth and Boaz named their son Obed and he became the lineage of the House of David. (Matthew 1:5) Humility and faithfulness worked a miracle in Ruth’s life. She had been lifted out of obscurity and poverty to influence and plenty.

As I read Ruth’s story I notice that her humble act of laying at the feet of Boaz is a model of our directive to lay at the feet of Jesus. Boaz was Ruth’s redeemer—a picture of our redeemer, Jesus Christ. Ruth, in essence, was laying her life and future at Boaz’s feet. It is clear that she was not motivated by selfish ambition, but in simple obedience to her mother-in-law’s direction. Ruth trusted that Naomi was a Godly woman and as such would give her wise instruction. Can I extend my application further? Wasn’t Naomi acting like the Holy Spirit to Ruth? Ruth had told Naomi, Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. (Ruth 1: 16 New King James)

Within the next two testimonies I want you to notice how closely humility and honor are wound together. Both Marian and Christy, after humbling themselves before God, came to a place of honoring their mothers. To be humble is to be unpretentious. It is the position of a servant. Honor is defined as giving respect or regard to another—putting them positionally above yourself.

Marian G’s Testimony

Marian had psychic defenses from childhood wounds that kept her bound from honoring her mother in the manner she desired. Through prayers of repentance and positioning herself at the feet of Jesus, it became possible for the defenses to drop and open a path for the love of God to flow through. Humility before God—being open with our failures and sins—makes a pathway for love and honor to flow.

My testimony begins in my childhood. I am a twin and one of the reasons growing up was so difficult for me was the fact that my mother and two older siblings blamed me for my twin’s irresponsibility. My twin wouldn’t take care of her share of the household chores. Consequently, we were both grounded. Eventually, I made the choice to do both our chores to avoid the consequence. I developed the survival skill called denial, which sadly followed me into my marriage.

My marriage was very destructive to me. My husband threatened my life and was abusive both verbally and emotionally. I was the prime bread winner and yet I never stood up for myself in the divorce. I just kept convincing myself that it was okay to split things 50/50. Really?! I knew in my heart that I wasn’t being fair to myself, but I had grown used to discounting myself. At the same time, I was fighting with my mother and pointed out all the wrongs I suffered as a child. My relationship with my mom was strained and continued like that for years.

When the time came and my mother needed care and support, I was thinking, Okay, we are six children and all of us can pitch in to care for her. Well, that didn’t happen. Slowly, over time, I was yet again held responsible to care for her alone. I spent four years sleeping at her house on weekends, cooking for her, beautifying her, shopping and paying for her groceries and taking her on occasional weekend getaways. I couldn’t believe how my siblings pulled back and let me carry the full weight of caring for mom.

I was filled with rage, anger and resentment. My emotions took over me and I kept arguing with my mother for not telling my siblings to help. Nevertheless, nothing changed. One night I left the house angry and jumped in my car. Thank God, I called a prayer partner friend and inquired of her how to do my life in a different way. I knew that I was supposed to honor God and my parents even though they had mistreated me, but I didn’t know how to do that. She prayed for me and I calmed down and drove home.

I entered the house and went straight to my prayer room. I began by praying that God would change my mother. I was crying my heart out to the Lord, Please God change her. I can’t take it anymore. That is when my prayer began to change. In the midst of being bent over in violent cries, I heard myself pray, God, she isn’t changing, please change me. I’m the one who is struggling and in need.

I was silent for a few minutes and the Lord gave me a vision of my mother as a grandmother. She reminded me of my beautiful beloved grandmother (who was a loving family member to me). I felt God’s love fill my heart for my mother. I realized that caring for my mother was a gift from God to bless me and bless her. The next day I went to visit my mother with a renewed attitude. I was filled with love and respect ready to serve her as God would lead me until she went home to be with the Lord.

In the present, the Lord is revealing to me more about my denial. There are deep dark places under the surface where all the negative emotions are housed. The Lord said, If you are willing to take my hand, I will lead you through the darkness and help you to see things in my light. If you read My Word daily you will see things from my perspective. My light exposes the darkness and leads you into truth. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future… You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back from captivity. (Jeremiah 29:11, 13–14 New International Version)"

As I take God’s hand for the rest of this journey, I am learning about myself. I know there are mountain tops, but also valleys of healing for my broken emotions. As I embrace the courage to kneel at the feet of Jesus with an open and honest heart, I am grateful that I experience a shift in my thoughts, heart and emotions, Sometimes I find myself in a place that I call God’s ICU. It is a place of quiet where I can experience His healing love.

This new phase of my relationship with my Savior is deeper, more authentic and genuine than I could ever have imagined.

The best part of my story is, as I opened the hidden places in my heart to Him, He taught me how to know Him and embrace Him. He has truly changed me. It is not always easy to follow Him, but it’s the most fulfilling life ever. I hope my story has inspired you to receive God’s love.

Repentance comes from a place in the heart that is broken open. Marian not only had to recognize her sin (bitterness at her mother), but she had to allow the love of God to break open the walls she had erected around her heart for so many years. This reminds me of the biblical account of the woman who entered the home of a Pharisee searching to find Jesus. When she did, she fell at His feet weeping as she broke open the alabaster flask she carried and anointed His feet with the fragrant oil. (Luke 7:37–38)

Her faith in the loving character of Jesus gave her (a sinner) the courage to enter a Pharisee’s home (religious leader) and not only pour out the oil over His feet, but she was also moved to pour out her sin and her deep need for His forgiveness. Jesus didn’t just see her sin. He saw her repentance and declared, Your sins are forgiven. (Luke 7:48 New King James) Then He said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you. Go in peace. (Luke7:50 New King James)’

Marian’s words were, "As I embrace the courage to kneel at the feet of Jesus with an open and honest heart, I am grateful that I experience a shift in my thoughts, heart and emotions." This is the blessing that I want you to hear. When you allow Him to break open your heart, He breaks open the precious anointing oil of His Spirit and pours the oil in and through the hardened places, which brings you peace. Marian and Christy (whose testimony is below) both learned that the power to serve their mothers came through their humility before God and not their own power.

Christy J’s Testimony

As we look at Christy J’s Testimony, I want you to notice that even though her mind was cloaked in denial for many decades, she became willing to look at her own failings as God uncovered them. It may not have been her choice to hide the unwarranted emotions; however, once known, it was her choice to take them to God in repentance.

It was midweek and I was now off to Bible college for the next four hours. I found it difficult to concentrate on my studies because my thoughts were occupied on the three days from now when I would be walking down the isle of my church and experiencing one of the happiest moments of my life.

When I arrived at my parent’s house, I didn’t waste any time before I excitedly ran up the staircase to my room. I glanced at my wedding gown hanging in the doorway of my parent’s room. It was lacy and elegant. It was mine. A warm glow swept over my body. At that thought, and in that moment, I heard my Mom weeping. As I approached her bedside, I noticed tears streaming down her face. She looked at me and hid her face. When I inquired about her tears, she began sharing about an event that happened when I was young and the shame that she carried from the event. This was not at all proper timing for me and you will see why.

She shared that all week she had been glancing at my gown, fighting back her emotions and trying to forgive herself for her unspeakable act. She composed herself enough to explain that as an infant she had tried to smother me. She admitted that she had suffered from postpartum depression, sleep deprivation, and overwhelming anxiety while caring for a sickly baby. She tried to silence my cries with a pillow but had not succeeded in doing so.

Twenty-eight years later this emotional event resurfaced like the day it happened. Mom pointed to my gown and tearfully acknowledged that I almost did not have a wedding day. Upon hearing her confession, my insides went numb. Time momentarily stopped for me. I remember trying to console her by wrapping my arms around her, but I could not feel anything except the icy shock.

Needless to say, I don’t remember much about the days that followed, which included my wedding day. How does one respond to such news? Who do I talk to about this? Should I even repeat this to anyone? How am I supposed to handle this devastating shock? So, I did what I do best and that is to bury all of it and never mention it again. I shut the door to that memory and in doing so, I shut down a part of my heart.

As the years of my life continued, I chose to honor my parents. My parents were both only children and consequently lived rather private lives. They moved up north and were absent from enjoying their grandchildren. They did not feel the need to be active in the lives of their three daughters. Denial led my two sisters and myself to conclude that they loved us in their own way.

When my parents were in their 80’s we began to notice memory deficits in both parents. We moved them to a nearby area. Mom fell, broke her hip and recovered in my home. Within a year my Dad was diagnosed with cancer and passed away six weeks from the diagnosis. It was at this point my Mom came to permanently live with me in my home. I was happy with this. I looked forward to the move and the ability to take her to church with me. It took days to prepare her new room. I remember sitting on the edge of her bed after a long day and saying, Ok God, the room is all ready for Mom. In my spirit, I heard God whisper, You prepared the room for My daughter. I was stunned and then reduced to tears. I received the confirmation I needed. I would care for her.

Mom had good days and bad days. Because of COVID we were virtually house bound. Days turned to weeks and weeks to months. My life became mom’s life. Caregiving consumed me and I had begun to realize that I was losing myself. Within seven months, I felt like I had been emptied of any and all of my human love and energy. I remember feeling tired and trapped. Resentment and anger surfaced in me as my Mom could not remember the simple tasks she used to perform. I never shared my frustrations outwardly, but I began imploding on the inside.

On one particularly difficult day I remember saying to myself, My Mom is always taking away my fun. Then I realized she had been doing that to me and my sisters her entire life. I began to examine and question my connection with Mom and realized the life in our relationship was mostly one way. It was always me rescuing her, cheering for her, and encouraging her on her sad days. (Upon inquiry, neither of my sisters felt much of a connection with her, either.) I discovered that my connection to my Mom was built with my own hands. The need to be accepted by her was my driving motivation.

Eventually, I was ready to accept the reality that I was at the end of my human capacity to emotionally care for Mom. I asked God to give me His love for Mom. I was sure that total dependence on Jesus would be my survival tool. Humility would save me. With my new surrender, God, indeed, did step into my life in a new way. Every day He deposited His love and tender care into my being. I soon found I was able to look at Mom through the eyes of Jesus. I began to give to my Mom what she was unable to give to me. I began telling her how much I loved her. Jesus poured comfort into me and I passed it on to my Mom. Life became lighter and brighter. I remember one day looking at her and silently saying, "I forgive you for the