As Christians we have a rich heritage. Only the Word of God is the firm foundation we can stand upon, but reflecting on faithful saints of the past who stood rock solid on that foundation can be a useful tool in helping us gird up the loins of our minds. Women are swamped with lies and half-truths just as much in our day as ever before.
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 2 Tim. 3:1-6a
Often the ones who creep into our households and capture us in our weakness don’t have to sneak in with any craftiness or subtlety. We invite them in gladly, reading their books and blogs and eagerly give them a voice to shape our thinking and the choices we make.
We must study the Word of God, saturate our minds with it and listen to it preached and taught among other Believers. But reading Christian history is also an excellent way to keep our minds renewed. So here are ten women you might want your daughter to meet before she reaches adulthood. Women she can read about to be challenged, encouraged and look to as examples of God’s grace and mercy. These are in no particular order and these women come from different points in history. And like us, they also come from different conditions of life and social positions. Some served God in extraordinary ways or persevered under trials beyond what many of us can imagine. Others served God quietly, in ordinary ways, as faithful wives and mothers who impacted their children for Christ so powerfully, that we in the 21st century still feel the tremors today.
I intentionally chose people in diverse seasons of womanhood as well: children, “teens,” mothers, singles, grandmothers and widows.
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Sarah Edwards (1710–1758)
Sarah Edwards was the wife to Jonathan Edwards. Over 250 years have passed since his death and he remains to be, what most people say is, America’s greatest theologian. Sarah Edwards served her husband and children faithfully. Many might say she was faithful in the “mundane.” She was a beautiful example of faith and humility, as well as a wife who persevered as a helper in marriage to an extraordinary, yet less than perfect man. Most of us are a recipient of the blessing of Sarah Edwards because, challenging as it was, she made it possible for her husband to preach and write.
Read: A Wife Like Sarah Edwards and look for other great biographies of Sarah Edwards such as Faithful Women and Their Extraordinary God by Noel Piper and Marriage to a Difficult Man by Elisabeth Dodds
“But my God lives. And He has my heart.” –Sarah Edwards
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Corrie Ten Boom (1892–1983)
Corrie Ten Boom was a Dutch Christian. She was a single woman who lived with her father, sister and aunt in Holland. When the Nazis invaded her country during World War II, she and her family hid Jews and helped them escape to safety. Eventually, she and her family were arrested for their underground work, the family members were separated, and Corrie and her sister Betsie were taken to prison where Betsie later died. Corrie was later released and spent the rest of her life proclaiming God’s love and faithfulness, and speaking publicly, messages of forgiveness. She tells her own story in her book, The Hiding Place. You can also read Corrie Ten Boom, Lessons in Thankfulness
“Even as the angry vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him….Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness….And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world’s healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives along with the command, the love itself.”—Corrie Ten Boom
Ann Judson was wife to Adoniram Judson. The couple was among the first American missionaries to go overseas. Ann’s suffering and hardships in Burma, as she labored there to see souls saved, was a testimony of God’s enabling and preserving grace. Through her years of sacrificial service, she was a spearhead for the modesern mission movement and instrumental in the spread of the Gospel in Asia. My favorite book on Ann Judson is here. You can also read an excerpt of the extraordinary letter that Adoniram wrote to Ann’s father, as he asked for her hand in marriage: Adoniram Judson’s Letter to His Future Father-in-Law
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Amy Carmichael (1867–1951)
“Give me the Love that leads the way
The Faith that nothing can dismay
The Hope no disappointments tire
The Passion that’ll burn like fire
Let me not sink to be a clod
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God”
Missionary, founder of the Dohnavur Fellowship in South India, and author of 35 books, Amy Carmichael was heavily influenced by George Mueller. She was known to be “joyfully sacrificial.” Her work continues still today. A Chance to Die by Elisabeth Elliot is my favorite biography of her.
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Elisabeth Elliot (1926– )
Elisabeth Elliot, whom I had the privilege of meeting and speaking with several years ago, is yet still with us here on this side of Heaven. But her story and work is one all girls should know. Wife to Jim Elliot, who was killed by the Auca Indians in Ecuador as he was attempting to make missionary contact, Elisabeth continued to try to reach them. She lived in the jungle among her husband’s killers for two more years. Her story is fascinating, her wisdom profound and timeless. She has written many books but some favorites are: Shadow of the Almighty, Through Gates of Splendor, The Shaping of a Christian Family (in this book Mrs. Elliot shares about her growing up and training–it’s truly an amazing book) and Let Me Be a Woman.
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Priscilla Mullins (1602–1680)
Priscilla Mullins was a “teenager” who traveled on the Mayflower to the New World. Her entire family died during the first winter that took so many lives. Priscilla was a virtuous young maiden who persevered under hardships beyond what many of us can imagine. (Read: 21st Century Women Versus Our Pilgrim Foremothers). Her marriage to Jon Alden was one of the first marriages in the New World, they had ten children and their descendants include President John Adams and John Quincy Adams.
Mary Winslow was the mother to Octavius Winslow. Her husband unexpectedly died when she was 40, leaving her with 9 children. Her infant son died soon afterward. Mary’s spiritual journals reflect a faith that will humble and inspire you. You need to check your pulse if her biography, Life in Jesus, doesn’t stir your heart.
“I cannot trace a single thing I ever did in my whole life that affords me any real pleasure to look back upon, [but] when I have a glimpse of God as He is in Himself, as well as what He is to my soul, I sink in all my nothingness, melted into love, at His feet.”
You can also read this excerpt of Life in Jesus: The Instruction and Prayers of a Mother for Her Son
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Elizabeth Prentiss (1818–1878)
Elizabeth Prentiss, daughter of Edward Payson, was said to have been born into a family who breathed sanctified air, so great was her father’s influence on her. The daughter of a pastor, married a pastor. She became a novelist in order to declare the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord to the next generation. She is most known for her book Stepping Heavenward (which should be in every library) and the hymn, More Love to Thee. I reviewed Sharon James’ biography of her here: More Love to Thee. Those of us with a love for writing would be especially challenged by Elizabeth Prentiss.
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Selina, Countess of Huntingdon (1707-1791)
Selina Hastings used her wealth and privilege to advance the kingdom of God. She was known as “Lady Bountiful” because she gave so much in funds for the use of missionaries, chapels and theological colleges. She was deeply admired by George Whitefiled who described her as “all in a flame for Jesus.” I have not read a biography of Selina Hastings. It was said that she asked that no biography be written of her because she had no desire to be recognized. Only in the past 90 years have some unpublished letters been used to write an account of her life. This biography is one on my list, however: Selina, Countess of Huntingdon
When her husband died she was 41. She was said to have the desire to use her wealth and influence to the fullest possible extent in the furtherance of the gospel.
“None know how to prize the Saviour, but such as are zealous in pious works for others.” –Selina Hastings
Mary Bunyan was one of John Bunyan’s six children and the only child he mentions in his memoirs. John Bunyan is most remembered as the author of, “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” Mary was born blind, and she had a special place in her father’s heart. Some have speculated that the images in Pilgrim’s Progress are so vivid because Bunyan was describing them to his blind daughter as he wrote.
When John Bunyan was arrested for unlawful preaching, little Mary traversed the streets of 17th century England each day, to visit him in prison. Many say that she petitioned his release before King Charles as well as doing more than her share of work at home and in the care of her brothers and sisters. During this time of persecution, Mary was her father’s most faithful companion and an instrument of grace in his time of need. Mary died when she was 13 and in her short life chose to suffer alongside her father. Her memory is cherished because of it.
There are so many other women whose stories can communicate with our hearts, increasing our faith. Susannah Spurgeon, Susannah Wesley, Mary Lee, Lady Jane Grey, Fanny Crosby, Gladys Alward, Catherine Von Bora and many others.
