Finding Your Purpose in the Midst of Strife- that Still Small Voice

Women go through a lot of challenges ranging from rejection at birth, cultural abuse of the girl child by society, domestic violence in their homes and discrimination at the work place among other things. For some this strife is more pronounced to an extent that one begins to wonder why things cannot be straight for them and yet others tend to have it nice and easy. To one who is going through such a seemingly cruel life, it is all not fair because the next woman is not being subjected to the same conditions. One wonders if it is a curse in their blood or their bloodline.

 A quick review of attendance at religious institutions reveals that the majority are women, most of whom have one affliction or another. They spend more time than men trying to find clues to the causes of their misfortune. Yet still among them, some have it easier than others. This is what sometimes leads to petty jealousies and catfights among women. Witchcraft can often arise from comparing oneself with the next person and coveting what they have which one does not have.

It is however, during these difficult moments in life that one needs to ask some vital questions. If we were all created equal, how come some are more equal than others? What have they done to earn this? Or is it mere luck that they happened to be in the right place at the right time? Big question is, if I am not in the right place, where am I supposed to be?

Women tend to be quite emotional when asking the above questions be it in prayer or otherwise. Hence, they cry out passionately, ask questions and continue wailing without stopping to listen to the answers. I believe that if one wants answers, they have to give the higher power or God, time to provide the answers. There is a still small voice that provides answers but it can only be heard when one stops crying, complaining, the chatter in your mind or simply pausing the chain of prayer and listening. In my church we sing a song with the words, “speak to me Oh God, I’m listening”. Just allowing the mind to stop processing for a brief moment can allow the most profound answer to come through.

It is startling at first, for it sounds like the beginning of insanity, when one hears what seems like their own voice talking to them but from within. It is a familiar voice, hence there is the danger of dismissing this voice which clearly states the answer and gives instructions on what steps to take. However, as one preacher put it, if you want to know whether this is a genuine answer, or if God is really talking to you, then take what the voice says and test it for  at least two weeks. If the voice stays the same and does not waver, then you know it is true. Otherwise, if it keeps changing, then it might really be your own thoughts or the devil playing games with you. What if the voice persists for years and you follow through with the instructions that it gives? This is a sure way of finding your truth in this confusing jungle called Earth.

This method of listening to the still small voice has been a means by which many women have found their true identity and/or purpose. It becomes so much easier when you know why you’re going through what you’re going through. For example, you could be struggling with caring for your sick child and it turns out that your reason for being on earth is so that you could care for sick children, not just your own. Some women have formed organisations that support other women with children who suffer from rare diseases after going through the experience themselves.

Another example is when a woman who has suffered lots of childhood abuse and domestic violence goes on to become a pillar of support and source of inspiration for other women going through the same. There are so many testimonies of women who have found their purpose after going through so much suffering in the early stages of their lives. They have risen above it all to become icons that other women look up to for strength and inspiration. I believe that these women listened to the still small voice within them and found strength to overcome their trials and tribulations.

Hence, in all challenging situations, instead of wailing nonstop about your situation, be still and ask relevant questions, then wait for the answer to come. Test what the still small voice is saying over a period of time and you will know the truth, and then the truth will set you free. This same voice has been the source of many –a-calling!