We’ve all heard someone shout this. We’ve all wanted to be on the receiving end of it. We’ve all wanted to be a part of it. It’s the rally cry. It’s the cry for unity and encouragement. It’s the cry for support and honor.
The world, more often than not, can seem so cold and harsh and disheartening. At every level it seems as though discouragement is all around me. One of the predominant ways I experience this is in my day job. Those 40 hours each week can be some of the hardest for me. I am surrounded by women who speak critical and negative words. Their words are intended to cut and make others bleed. Their tongues are aimed towards speaking death. They bring divisiveness and dissension with each accusation and slanderous tone.
There hasn’t been anyone leading in a rally cry. There are no congratulations extended. There are no pats on the back. There is only drama and confusion that clearly stems from the enemy. I feel a call to lead the way, but have been repeatedly shut down at every turn.
I think of all of my stunning friendships with women in my church and around the world who desire nothing more than unity among women. Even if their voices are worn out and fading away, they stand tall with this cry. I admire them and want to walk in their footsteps.
Unfortunately, in godly community, this rally cry can become just as drowned out as it does in the world.
My days can be long, draining, and downright exhausting, but they remind me of how God wants His daughters to come together and build His Kingdom.
What happens to one of us, happens to all of us.
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” {Galatians 6:2}
These days, it has become increasingly easy to become an island unto ourselves. We connect with people online with no face-to-face contact. We become desensitized to the hurt and pain of others. We can fall into the trap of caring only about the things that affect our lives. We look right past the hardships in the lives of those around us. But our call is to literally live as family. We are the family of God, the body of Christ. We are eternally bonded together by His blood. We are to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. We are to pray and care for those in need.
Honor should be a cornerstone.
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” {Galatians 6:10}
So much of life rises and falls on the idea of honor. We live in a time where many people are out for themselves.
They seek to get ahead, no matter the cost or collateral damage.
It breaks my heart because I know our God bestows honor among us and desires us to do the same with our sisters in the faith. To honor someone is simply to esteem them, to regard them with great respect. We are not a culture that does that readily. Most of the time, society is quicker to defame, criticize, and tear down. The Kingdom of God is completely opposite of the world. We are to build others up. And in doing so, there is a blessing for us to be elevated.
I daily watch women around me vie for status, position, and title. They want to be seen as important and valuable. They don’t know that Jesus has pre-approved them and their worth is found solely in Him. They have fallen victim to scarcity thinking. A win for someone else is not a win for them. They don’t know that God is a God of abundance and in Him there is no lack.
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” {1 Thessalonians 5:11}
We are called to rise up with a rally cry and to call others to rise up as well. It is not an easy task, but it is one of the most beautiful parts of Kingdom building. When the kindness and goodness of the Holy Spirit are at work, God is most glorified in His children.
We carry burdens.
We honor.
We encourage.
We build up.
In what area has God called you to rise up with a rally cry?
[linebreak]
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Karina,
“Jesus has pre-approved us and our worth is found solely in Him!” Amen. If women could really digest this and internalize it, what a different world we would live in. Vying for the world’s accolades is an insatiable quest. Nothing will ever satisfy like the love of Christ and our Father God. We are all walking wounded who need a sister or brother to come alongside and remind us of this truth. Thank you…
Blessings,
Bev
Karina Allen says
Right on Bev!!!!!
It’s an uphill climb but the end result of a secure identity is so worth it!!!!!
Joanna @ Modern Ruth Project says
Good reminder that God calls us to be lights in the darkness! We should not be surprised when we feel out of place in the world – take heart that you are different, because it means that Jesus has truly done a good work in you. For without Jesus, all of us would be like the rest! Best wishes for your workplace!!
Karina Allen says
Thanks Joanna!!!!
I totally don’t mind standing out in darkness. I kind of like it! But, I do need prayers for the crazy hostility that i encounter everyday.
Beth says
I remember a very dark time in our family’s life just a year ago that friends quickly were concerned about for us and a few actually joined in it with us, but as soon as it “appeared” to be over, just like that they were all gone. No one ever followed up to ask how we were doing, because we “looked” fine due to our horrific story having a (blessedly) happy ending. While I was still desperately wrenched with pain and anguish at what had transpired and was still transpiring in our family’s life, I felt that others looked completely past us and the family-changing experience we’d lived through. I am not saying this to place blame; I’m sure I’ve done this numerous times to others in similar circumstances. But this heightened my awareness that just because a situation has been resolved for the present moment, doesn’t mean that the people involved aren’t still hurting and reeling from the pain. I try to be a better follower-upper than I used to be, because I so wish women had done that for me.
Karina Allen says
Such a good reminder Beth!
Hurt and pain last far longer than the resolution of a conflict. We forget that. We look at the surface of a situation. Then we get caught up in our own lives. I’m working on being more intentional in following up too. It matters. It’s important.
Thanks for sharing!!!!
Beth says
Karina – thanks so much for your reply. You said it perfectly, “Hurt and pain last far longer than the resolution of a conflict.” I never realized how true this was until it happened to me.
Karina Allen says
Totally my pleasure! There have been many circumstances that I still experience some after effects. I’m thankful that God is patient and walks with us through our process.
Joanne Peterson says
The exhaustion, and the adjusting to the new normal last for far longer than the appearance of the good outcome.
Nancy Wolfe @ livingcenter.me says
We, as a society, not only defame, criticize, and tear down but also rush past. Even if our hearts are trying to rally with others, our lives are going so fast that we only take time to “click” a heart or sad face. It takes time to walk with someone at their pace, in their life. I, for one, need to slow it down and pay attention.
xoxox
Karina Allen says
So true Nancy!!!!
I am right there with you! Let’s slow down. Let’s be observant. Let’s rally and carry the burdens of the broken and hurting. I like this…”It takes time to walk with someone at their pace” Beautiful!!!!
Thank you for sharing! Blessings!
Beth says
Yes, so well said Nancy. It DOES take time, but time spent will be time well remembered. Yes, let’s just all get off the carousel and slow down!
An says
Thank you, Nancy, for this. How true it is that we rush past; it is something that I am guilty of. I praise the Lord for this reminder to slow and walk with 🙂
Katie Matzenbacher says
Karina – Your message is so timely. I needed this reminder again today. Thanks for sharing! And hang in there – you can be a light to those women at your workplace.
Karina Allen says
Thank you friend!!!!
This is one of those daily reminders! Ha!
JeanneTakenaka says
Karina, such a life-giving post. Our words can be powerful or devastating.
I loved what you said here: “They don’t know that Jesus has pre-approved them and their worth is found solely in Him.”
When we don’t understand Whose we are, and where our value and identity comes from, then we don’t know how to interact with others in a life-giving way. We’re too worried about gaining approval, carving out an identity, earning value. Thank you for the reminder to be an encourager, a life-speaker.
Karina Allen says
Thank you Jeanne!
Our words are crazy important and so underestimated!!! It’s sad to see grown women who live out of such a lack of identity. God desires so much more for His creation.
Stephanie Thompson says
Love this post! Thank you for reminding us of the truth and bringing a prophetic message.
Karina Allen says
Thank you for that Stephanie!
Amen! Let it be!!!!
Rebecca Jones says
Thank you Karina for writing this post. I know you are so right about women who are speaking of nothing but what calls into play the ” death cycle “. That is one reason I take to my computer, I have a voice here that I don’t always have, to encourage. Galatians 6:10, I like that, but it I have found it difficult to speak life into even some of those fellow Christians. I reread Proverbs 18:21, I actually misquoted it putting life first ( not a bad idea ) but my mother told me I had it backwards, she was right, ( as usual ), we are just wired to speak death in the natural. We have to have the Lord to help us control it. I encourage you to speak peace to your workplace, just like Jesus said to do when entering a house, you are there for a reason and His light shines through you. Be blessed, He’s always with you.
Karina Allen says
So good Rebecca!
Proverbs is a great book! I am drawn to wisdom. I speak peace. And I let Him defend. He is faithful to do so!
Carol says
Was about to start work on a “big” project – and feeling exactly what you describe – and checked into Incourage for first time in weeks – Oh my goodness … how your post and every comment here is meeting wet eyes and a nod of recognition – All prophetic – bless you.
Karina Allen says
Awe Carol. I love that!
I love it when the Holy Spirit moves us to tears! Praying for your heart!
Thank you for sharing!!!!
Stephanie says
Really needed to see this today Karina! Your not alone. Recently just got a full time job as a file clerk in a law firm. Definitely is a blessing but I find myself unhappy in this work setting. Thank you so much for sharing. May God bless you always and may we continue to bless and encourage one another! Xoxo
Karina Allen says
Amen Stephanie!
Let’s stand confident on the truth of God’s Word and in His power! He is good and faithful!
Jenny Howell says
Oh good grief this was POWERFUL Karina. What happens to one of us DOES happen to all of us and pre-approval is ours in Jesus! Let these words be a true cry for all of us gals.
Karina Allen says
Jenny, you’re awesome!!!!
It’s the cry of my heart girl!!!!!!!
Nancy Ruegg says
I greatly appreciate your rally cry: We carry burdens! We honor! We encourage! We build up! In our life group at church, we seek to practice just that, In addition, precious friends near and far provide the same. I can’t imagine striving through each day surrounded by negativity and critical words. May God use you, Karina, to dissipate that negativity and spread the aroma of Christ!
Karina Allen says
I receive that Nancy!!!!! My days are hard but God is with me!
I love that you are a part of such a sweet community.
An says
Oh Karina, how we in a hurting world need this call to encouragement 🙂 I praise the Lord for these beautiful words. To use our words for wholesome speech that builds up and grows and changes us, encouragement helps the burdens become lighter, shining the light on the One who brings victory and the love and approval that only He can give. I love these words “We are the family of God, the body of Christ. We are eternally bonded together by His blood.” May we each seek His face in each other and love as He has loved us 🙂
Karina Allen says
So beautiful An!
May we press on with a loud cry for encouragement and unity!!!!!
Thank you for sharing! Blessings!
Chantel Klassen says
I absolute love this! The verses you shared are some of my favorites and this post is such a good reminder, my word for 2016 has been “encourage” and this post is the perfect almost-mid-year refresher!
Karina Allen says
Thank you Chantel!
Mid-year refreshing is so needed!!! I love your word!
Blessings to you!!!
Beth Williams says
Karina,
Praying for your co-workers. May God change and soften their hearts. Working in that kind of environment is hard and toxic to one’s soul. My old office is like that and I can see the devastation on the women’s faces. A number of us have left that office for other places just to be out of that environment. Young people today want fame and fortune at any cost. I am an encourager by nature. Love sending cards, e-mails, cooking meals & most importantly praying for people. I have a good friend who was going through a tough time with aging parents a few years ago. At various times I cooked meals or bought meals for them and kept in contact as to how everyone was doing. All the while I was working full time and dealing with aging parent issues of my own. I found a good friend in whom I could commiserate.
Blessings 🙂