We were created by a loving, almighty, powerful God. The God. And not only did He hand craft us, being intentional with every cell, every muscle and bone structure, but He made us in His image. We are made to be image bearers of our awesome God.
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27
As women, we were specifically designed to be helpers. Genesis 2:18 says, “Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
And so God beautifully created woman. He artfully shaped us in His image, with a specific role.
A lot of women cringe at the word “helper”. You may be envisioning yourself dressed in a maid’s outfit. You may get an image in your head of getting married, and putting all of your dreams and skills aside to work like a mad woman and do all the dirty work. Or you may think of the movie “The Help” (so good!). But that’s not what God meant when he said we are helpers. Yes, it’s true that you may do dishes and laundry and make dinner every night, but that’s not what it’s all about! It’s not a curse to be a helper, but rather it’s a gift.
We are made to reflect Christ. To bear His image. Throughout the bible it talks of how God is our help & the Holy Spirit is our Helper.
Ps. 10:14 “But You do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless.”
Psalm 18:6 “In my distress I called upon the Lord; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.”
Psalm 22:19 “But you, O Lord, do not be far off! O you my help, come quickly to my aid!”
Psalm 33:20 “Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.”
Psalm 70:5 “But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay!”
When I read through those few verses, I want to get on my knees and cry out “thank you!” My God helps me. The Lord knows how desperate I am for His help. I am so needy and weak—and I have Him as my help, and the Holy Spirit as my Helper- every moment of every day. He is strong. He defends. He’s my shield. My wisdom. My strength. My courage. He rescues. He sustains. He nourishes. He takes care of me. I can cry to Him in my time of need.
Sister, the Lord is your help. He is available and wants you to call on Him. He wants to take your burdens, your struggles, your doubts, confusions, trials, or even just schedule management and help you. He takes joy in walking with you and being your rest.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30
In the same way, we have the opportunity to reflect Jesus by being a helper. “Helper” (ezer in the original Hebrew) means “to help, nourish, sustain or strengthen.” (“The Gospel Centered Woman”, Wendy Alsup; pg. 12)
Sis, we get to be a helper. We get to reflect Jesus in this specific way made for us. It’s in our DNA. It’s not a weak calling. But it’s one full of courage and strength, that which we get from our Ultimate Helper.
If you’re like me, perhaps you’ve only heard this topic talked about in marriage. And although the verse in Genesis is specifically talking about Adam and Eve, it applies to all women, in all seasons and stages of life.
You are created to be a helper. Now. Today. Right where you’re at. Young. Old. Single. Married. Divorced. Widowed. Parent. Aunt. Mentor. Friend.
So what does that look like in your season of life right now? With the people in your life? The passions you have? The gifts you’ve been given?
Perhaps it’s helping your mom or another family with babysitting. Comforting your friends who are hurting. Serving in an area that you’re passionate about- feeding the homeless, discipling high schoolers, caring for prostitutes, helping end slave trafficking. Supporting, praying for and caring for your husband. Discipling younger women. Providing meals to new moms. Writing an encouraging note. Being involved in children’s lives.
As women, let’s press into our Savior and find rest in Him. Let’s let Him be our Help. Let’s rely on the Spirit to be our Helper. And let us reflect Him to those around us by being helpers.
What do you think of when you hear that women are created as “helpers”? How does knowing that God is our help and the Holy Spirit our Helper encourage you in this calling? How can you help someone in your current season of life?
Hi,
it was good to read. There is so much joy in being able to help someone. I believe a reason why some cringe at the word “helper” in the context you mention, is because it almost makes the man sound more important and central than the woman. What do you say to that?
Thank you for this? It really speaks to me! I have been struggling with be a helper to my husband. We have so many differences! I often don’t feel like a wife or a mother but more like a maid, like I’m In the back ground just there to help! This has encouraged me to lean on the Lord to be my help with this. To stop trying to change circumstances on my own. For the Lord to help me to be the help he intended me to be and for me to be happy and joyful about it. Thank you again!
Great blessings to you!
Latoya
This is so good and such an encouragement and inspiration to me!!! It’s true that being a helper is ingrained in our being as women and I sense that calling every day. God is showing me more of how to be a helper in this season of my life that I am single, and He has placed a lot of ideas and ways that I can do this…thank you for this great encouragement and reminder, I really needed to read this today!!
…and to answer your question…I think of being a servant in biblical terms when I think of us women being created to be helpers. I don’t see that as bad because Jesus was and is the best example of a servant. To realize that the Holy Spirit is my help (and He has helped me always) gives me such encouragement to be a helper in this world and I know I have ALL I need to live this calling…it truly gives me peace when I think about it. So many women are overwhelmed with all that they have to do as helpers, but if we realize that we have everything in HIM that we need, all the strength and power, and we let this sink deep and we truly allow Him to help us..WOW!!! it takes humbleness too…
Love this! Thanks for the encouragement to press into the Lord and press on wherever He has called us to serve.
I’ve always found this part of the bible the hardest to hear! Whenever I hear that women are meant to be “helpers” it just sounds like a cop-out and like we merely stay in the side lines and basically miss out on the radical life of adventure and passion that I’ve always wanted to live. I used to think that if I took hold of this calling then it would mean I would have to let go of that dream. But recently I’ve realised that simply isn’t true.. In fact, being “the helper” is one of the most challenging callings, and often it’s extremely difficult, and although many people don’t recognise this, Jesus certainly does and well that’s all that matters isn’t it?! And you’re right- “It’s not a weak calling”.
This blog is so wonderful Alyssa, you really are SUCH a blessing!!