Tales from the Tangled Trail

Tag: christianity

  • 🌿 The Power of Eve and Rediscovering God’s Original Design for “the Helper”

    For most of my life, I lived with what I now recognize as a Cinderella Complex—the belief that I was the helpless princess waiting for a handsome prince to rescue me. That mindset led me through a series of painful relationships, a disastrous marriage, and eventually a heartbreaking divorce. In an attempt to escape the pain of living near my ex-husband and the woman he left me for, I rushed into another marriage—this time to a Christian man—hoping he would be the one to finally make me whole. But in reality, it felt like I had jumped from the frying pan into the fire.

    In the midst of my confusion and heartache, I’ve had many honest conversations with God. I’ve told Him I don’t ever want to miss His will again. And through different confirmations, He’s shown me that He is interested in this marriage—that there are deep, precious lessons He wants to teach me through it, lessons that will ultimately bring glory to His name. The very first one He began to reveal was the true role of a wife.

    She wasn’t created as an assistant. She was created as an answer.

    Somewhere along the way, the word “helper” was watered down — turned into something quiet, background, optional. But in God’s eyes, the woman was never a backup plan. She was a divine solution.

    🌧 A World Half Covered

    Imagine a battlefield. A soldier stands alone, armor on, sword shaking in his hand. The enemy surrounds him. He’s called by God to stand, to lead — but every arrow coming at him is finding its mark. He wasn’t built to do this alone.

    Then someone steps onto the battlefield. Not behind him — beside him. Shield raised. Eyes sharp. Praying under her breath. Covering his back.

    This is ēzer.

    1. “Helper” — The Word That Describes God

    “I will make a helper suitable for him.” – Genesis 2:18

    The Hebrew word for helper is ʿēzer. And most of the time this word appears in the Bible, it’s referring to God Himself.

    • “The Lord is my help (ʿēzer) and my shield.” – Psalm 33:20
    • “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help (ʿēzer) in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1

    So when God said Eve would be Adam’s “helper”, He wasn’t talking about an assistant or a housekeeper.
    He was describing someone who would reflect His own nature — His strength, His support, His presence in the battle.

    Eve was created to:

    • Stand beside Adam as an equal and strong ally
    • Protect him in prayer and purpose
    • Strengthen him when he is weary
    • Carry God’s presence and wisdom into the home
    • War spiritually on his behalf, like God wars for us

    This is not a weak design. It is a warrior’s design.

    2. A Helper Who Covers — Not Controls

    Being an ēzer does not mean:

    • Controlling your husband
    • Criticizing him when he fails
    • Acting superior or self-righteous

    It means:

    • Praying when he is under attack
    • Encouraging when he feels inadequate
    • Speaking life when he hears only failure
    • Standing firm in faith when he can’t
    • Covering him — like God covers us

    Submission is not silence, and helping is not weakness.
    It’s choosing to fight — but fighting for him, not against him.

    3. Why Your Role Matters More Than You Know

    Men carry a weight from God — the call to lead, protect, provide, and carry responsibility. But God never intended for him to do it alone. Eve was the answer to “It is not good for man to be alone.”

    Without an ēzer:

    • His faith can grow tired
    • His vision can become blurred
    • His heart can grow isolated

    With an ēzer:

    • His faith is strengthened
    • His purpose is sharpened
    • His heart is covered in prayer

    Satan hates marriages like this — because a praying wife is dangerous.

    4. Scriptures to Stand On

    Here are key verses that reveal the power of a woman’s role:

    ScriptureWhat It Shows About a Wife’s Role
    Genesis 2:18God created her as an ēzer — a strong ally.
    Proverbs 31:12She brings her husband good, not harm, all her days.
    Proverbs 31:23Her husband is respected — because of her influence.
    1 Peter 3:7She is a co-heir of grace — equal before God.
    Ephesians 5:21–25Marriage is mutual submission and sacrificial love.
    Proverbs 31:25“She is clothed with strength and dignity.”

    5. A Prayer for Wives to Pray Over Their Husbands

    Lord, thank You for the gift of my husband.
    Thank You for calling me to be his ēzer — his God-given ally, intercessor, and encourager.
    Today, I stand in prayer over his life.
    Cover his heart with Your peace.
    Strengthen his mind with Your truth.
    Protect him from the lies of the enemy and the weight of this world.
    Give me wisdom to speak life and love, not criticism.
    Teach me to fight for him on my knees — not with my words.
    Let our marriage reflect Your heart: unity, honor, strength, and grace.
    In Jesus’ name, Amen.

    💛 Final Thought

    You were never called to be silent or small — you were called to be essential.
    To stand beside, not behind.
    To cover, not control.
    To help — with the strength of the One who helps you.

    This is the power of Eve. This is the calling of every woman who chooses to walk in God’s original design.

  • I Fall Forward because Mercy Triumphs

    There’s a verse in the book of James that says, “Mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). Every time I read it, I’m reminded of the incredible mercy Jesus showed to us — the mercy that changed everything. He didn’t just forgive our sins in a moment; He forgave them for all time. His sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of mercy — not only covering our past, but securing our future in His grace. Because of that mercy, even when I fall, I know His forgiveness is already waiting for me. It doesn’t push me away in shame; it pulls me closer. His mercy gives me the confidence to run to Him, not from Him.

    And that changes the way I see others too. If Jesus could show that kind of mercy toward me — complete, undeserved, and unconditional — how can I withhold mercy from someone else? It’s so easy to judge, to measure people by their mistakes or by what we think they deserve. But mercy reminds us that none of us stand where we do because we earned it. We are here because grace met us where judgment should have fallen.

    When Jesus walked this earth, He never turned away the broken, the outcast, or the sinner. Instead of condemning, He restored. Instead of shaming, He lifted up. His mercy was not passive — it was powerful. It transformed lives. Every act of compassion Jesus showed was a reflection of the Father’s heart: mercy triumphing over judgment.

    This verse also reminds me of another one: “Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again” (Proverbs 24:16). That’s what grace looks like — not a license to fall, but the strength to rise. God’s grace doesn’t erase our humanity; it redeems it. It allows us to fall forward, not backward. Each stumble becomes an opportunity to encounter His mercy again.

    And the truth is, even those of us who boldly declare, “God is good,” have only tasted a fraction of that goodness. His mercy is deeper, His grace is wider, and His love is far greater than we can ever comprehend. His goodness doesn’t just meet us at our best moments — it meets us right in the middle of our mess.

    So today, let’s allow this truth to change how we see both God and others.
    If mercy triumphs over judgment in His heart, let it triumph in ours too.
    If His grace keeps lifting us every time we fall, then may we also be the kind of people who help others rise again.

    Because the more we understand His mercy, the less room there is for judgment.
    And the more we see His goodness, the more we realize — we’ve barely begun to grasp just how good He really is.

  • Contentment Vs Prosperity Explained

    Have you ever wondered why the Word seems to sometimes contradict itself? One moment we read Hebrews 13:5 telling us not to be obsessed with money and to be content with what we have, and then in 3 John 2 we’re told that God’s desire is that we prosper in all things and be in health. But instead of opposing ideas, these verses create a beautiful harmony that reveals God’s heart: He doesn’t want money to have us, yet He absolutely delights in pouring out His goodness and provision into our lives.

    Picture Scripture as a grand symphony rather than a single note. When it speaks about money, prosperity, gratitude, and health, it isn’t contradicting itself. Instead, it plays a rich harmony that points our hearts to a Person: Jesus, the lavishly generous King who also frees us from the tyranny of chasing things that can never satisfy.

    Here’s a perspective in a few melodic movements:

    1. God is our source, not money

    Scriptures like Hebrews 13:5 say,

    “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have”

    because the love and obsession with money is like trying to drink sand: no matter how much you gulp, the thirst remains. The Word reminds us that our needs are met not by our anxieties or striving, but by a Father who says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” His way means money becomes a tool rather than a master.

    2. Contentment is rooted in relationship, not circumstances.

    Contentment in the kingdom isn’t settling for less. It’s living from the revelation of WHO we already have. When you realize the King of the cosmos is your Abba, you can relax your shoulders and sigh with relief. Gratitude grows naturally when we see all things as gifts of grace, not achievements we must sustain by fear.

    3. Prosperity is not greed; it’s overflow with purpose

    Paul writes, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 2). Grace-based teaching understands this as prosperity from the inside out.
    Where your soul is well-watered in God’s love, your life begins to bloom in every direction: emotional wellness, healthy relationships, joyful generosity, and yes, the practical means to bless others. Prosperity becomes a garden God cultivates, not a trophy we chase.

    4. Grace invites us to receive, not strive

    Jesus said in Matthew 6:33,

    “Seek first the kingdom… and all these things will be added.”

    He didn’t say “sweat and scramble.” God enjoys blessing His kids. But He doesn’t want the gift to replace the Giver. Grace (the Person of Jesus) removes fear and frees us to enjoy provision without being enslaved by it.

    5. Overflow leads to generosity

    Like a cup under a waterfall, God’s prosperity isn’t meant to be hoarded but shared. When Paul speaks of abundance, it often comes with the purpose of good works, generosity, and supporting the gospel (2 Corinthians 9:8). Heaven’s economy flows, it never clogs.

    So the exquisite harmony found in God’s Word sounds something like this:

    Be grateful for what you already have,
    know that your Father delights to care for you,
    and expect His goodness to overflow from your life,
    not as a god you pursue
    but as a blessing that follows you like a loyal puppy.

    Contentment says you are already rich in Christ.
    Prosperity is merely your experience catching up to that truth.

    Thank you for reading this. I would love to hear your thoughts. Let’s talk about it.

  • Breaking Free from the Cycle of Shame

    I just had a young lady confess that she has been stuck in a cycle of guilt and condemnation because she was abused at a young age. After that trauma, she was “taught” behaviors that led her down a painful road of addiction and lustful thinking. Her story broke my heart — not because of her sin, but because of the heavy shame she has carried for so long.

    You see, she took the first step toward freedom from this bondage the moment she became vulnerable enough to speak it out loud. That moment of honesty is sacred — it’s where healing begins.

    As Brené Brown teaches, “Shame needs three things to grow exponentially in our lives: secrecy, silence, and judgment.” When we hide in shame, it festers. When we speak out in truth, light floods in and darkness flees. But the enemy knows this — and he loves nothing more than to keep us trapped in cycles of guilt, self-condemnation, and mental torment.

    The Bible gives us a clear strategy for breaking these cycles:

    “We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.”
    — 2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (The Passion Translation)

    This is where my personal struggle has always been — taking control of my thoughts. I allowed lies about my worth and my failures to rule my mind. I lived trapped in condemnation, rehearsing the same thoughts over and over, believing I was unworthy, unholy, and unloved.

    But here’s the real truth that sets us free:
    You are not a sinner trying to become righteous. You are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.

    “For God made the only one who did not know sin to become sin for us, so that we who did not know righteousness might become the righteousness of God through our union with Him.”
    — 2 Corinthians 5:21 (TPT)

    You have a perfect spirit — born of God — living in an imperfect body. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. You’ve been given authority through Christ to take every thought captive, to silence the lies, and to walk in freedom.

    So if you’re struggling in an area of shame — whether from something that happened to you or from something you’ve done — remind yourself who you truly are. You’re not defined by your mistakes, temptations, or struggles. You are defined by Jesus — His righteousness, His victory, and His love.

    Let His truth speak louder than the enemy’s accusations. Freedom begins with vulnerability, but it’s sustained through renewed thinking — through seeing yourself as God already sees you: whole, righteous, and free.

    And now, what you have to do is declare this over yourself — out loud. The Word says that our minds are renewed through the hearing of the Word, and your mind will hear it all the better when you’re the one saying it.

    “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
    — Romans 10:17 (NKJV)

    Speak This Over Yourself:

    “I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
    I have been set free from the power of sin and shame.
    I take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.
    My mind is renewed by the Word of God.
    I walk in freedom, in peace, and in the authority Jesus has given me.
    The enemy has no hold over my mind, my body, or my life.
    I am loved. I am chosen. I am whole. I am free — in Jesus’ name.”

  • Loved Like Mary: A Moment in the Garden at St. Dominic’s

    This morning, I find myself sitting quietly in the garden at St. Dominic’s Home for the Aged in Houston, Texas. It’s a sacred little oasis—a place where time seems to slow just enough for the soul to catch its breath. The paths are lined with statues of Mary, her expression soft and maternal, and there are kneeling benches scattered among the flowers, inviting passersby to pause and pray. It’s a garden made for reflection—built for hearts seeking comfort, clarity, and connection with the divine.

    As I sat on one of those benches with my Bible open and the soft rustle of leaves above me, I felt a tender whisper in my heart—one I believe came from the Lord Himself.

    “I love you as much as I love My mother.”

    The words stopped me.

    They were too weighty to rush past, too beautiful to disregard. I sat in stillness, letting them wash over me, and found myself contemplating the mystery and mercy of such a love.

    Mary—blessed, chosen, revered—was entrusted with the sacred role of bringing Jesus into the world. She was obedient, humble, and full of grace. And yet, she was also fully human. Not divine. Not a part of the Godhead. But a willing vessel.

    It occurred to me: if God could use her humanity—her ordinary earthly existence—for such an extraordinary purpose, how much more might He desire to use mine now that I carry the Holy Spirit within me?

    It’s a thought that might raise eyebrows in some circles, particularly among those who deeply venerate Mary, and I mean no disrespect. In fact, sitting among the statues and symbols honoring her here in the garden, I feel only peace. I understand why people pray to her—it’s not unlike talking to our own mothers. A gesture of affection, familiarity, and trust.

    But the deeper revelation that settled in my soul today is this: Jesus doesn’t love me less than He loves Mary. He loves me just as much. And the plans He has for me—even in this later season of life—are not lesser than the plan He had for her. They are simply different. Still sacred. Still meaningful. Still full of eternal weight.

    In the stillness of this garden, surrounded by symbols of Mary’s faithfulness and the echoes of prayers whispered through decades, I feel more aware than ever of how much I am seen, known, and loved by the Lord.

    And if you’re reading this today, I hope you remember that too.

    He loves you just as much as He loves her.

    Let that truth sink deep.