HELP SOMEONE FIGHT!!

One of the ugly dynamics of being a woman is the notion of competition. It's not just for men. Since the beginning of time women have been in competition with each other. Who's prettier, who's thinner, who has longer hair, who's smarter, who has more children, who's been married the longest, who has a better career, etc., etc., etc. Ask Sarai and Hagar, Leah and Rachel and Hannah and Peninah, to name a few. I've never understood it. Why can't we all just get along?? I grew up with two sisters and often felt the sting of competition. Society teaches us to be unsupportive, catty and petty with our sisters and sister friends. Scriptures speak to this and if you've ever watched any of the 'housewives' reality shows you know exactly what I'm talking about! Prayerfully, this community is one place where we will learn to support and push one another.

A great example of Godly support (support given to help someone succeed without expecting anything in return) is found in the book of Numbers. In chapter 32 we find the Israelites at the Jordan river about to cross over into the Promised Land. The tribes of Reuben and Gad decide (just as they are almost IN the Promised Land) that they want to stop East of the Jordan and NOT enter into the Promise. They literally stopped short of their God given promise. They go to Moses and ask for permission to stay where they are and not go any further. Moses agrees. After all, it's their business if they want to forfeit God's blessing for them after coming ninety nine percent of the way! I'd strongly encourage you not to do that, though, because it's sheer lunacy! Get what God has for you! But observe how Moses responds to their request. He says, "Do you intend to stay here while your brothers go across and do all the fighting?” Moses asks this question because he knew their intention was to do just that. He admonishes them and says, you can stay here if you want, but you are still required to go across the Jordan and help your brothers fight to obtain their promise. In other words, just because you got what you want doesn't mean you can rest, help someone else (your brothers and sisters) get what God promised them.

When I read this, it blew my mind. What a foreign concept in today's culture!! We live in a time where people don't want to offer you support for fear that you will surpass them. They won't show up to events or engagements that you're hosting because of jealousy and envy. They won't even like or share a post that you've made because they don't want to help you succeed. Those are all ways we can help each other fight! By showing up, by being present and by putting our hands to their plow! Moses wanted the men of Reuben and Gad to understand that NOT fighting was not an option for them. They were REQUIRED to help their brothers obtain success! (Num. 32:20-24).

How does this speak to us today? It's an exhortation to us to do what is pleasing to God. And what is pleasing to God is that we band together to help one another succeed. What's pleasing to God is that we rid ourselves of competition, jealousy and envy so that we can help a sister build her business or her brand. Or purchase her products or support her endeavors. Especially within the kingdom. The Israelites were able to conquer the other nations because they united and fought with and for each other. As believers, we ought to do the same so that we can have dominion in the Earth. Competition is the enemy of support so my sisters, purpose in your heart today that you will help another sister fight to obtain her promise! Together, WE ALL WIN!

~Dania Roberts