Mentoring Other Women

I believe it’s very important for women to have intentional mentoring relationships with other women. One reason that this is so important to me is because I have seen firsthand how it has impacted my own life and spiritual growth. I can honestly say that without the guidance, support, and listening ear of many women in my life, my life and relationship with God would look drastically different. In moments when I felt most discouraged, these women have spoken life and truth to me. In the moments of greatest celebration, they have been there to cheer me on. And in the moments of greatest life change, both good and bad, they have been right alongside of me.

Now, the thought of being a mentor may sound intimidating, but let me jump ahead of that thought. You don’t have to be perfect; just be real. I know that for me, part of what has been so beneficial in my relationships with women who I would call my mentors is that I can see very clearly that they aren’t perfect; they have very real struggles, just like me. And because of this, it’s a lot easier for me to be real with them about my own struggles. 

It also doesn’t have to be formal, but it should be intentional. You don’t have to have a formal weekly meeting where you sit down and go through a Bible study (although there can be great benefits to such meetings). Life is crazy sometimes, and I think that many women are hesitant to commit to a mentor/mentee relationship because they feel like they don’t have the time to commit. But in my experience, some of my best moments of encouragement and learning from other women have been sitting and chatting while we fold laundry or go for a walk. It’s about making the conversation intentional, and most importantly real. I have learned so much about being a wife, and one day a mom, by spending time with mentors in the wonderful chaos of family.

You don’t need to wait to be an empty nester or retired with extra time on your hands to start mentoring another woman. You just have to be one step ahead or have experienced her current stage of life or a particular circumstance. We all have unique experiences that God has given us. Some good and some not so good, but I believe that the best way that we can redeem the mistakes we have made or the painful things we have experienced is to use those experiences to reach other women.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NLT) says this:

^“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

God has brought us through certain circumstances so that we can minister to others in the same place.

One recent example of this in my own life has been the encouragement of a woman who reached out to me when my brother passed away unexpectedly 3 months ago. She also lost her brother at a young age. I can tell you, it’s been simple things she’s done. Short messages just to let me know she’s praying for me have been a huge blessing to me. I know she understands what I’m going through, because she’s been through it personally. And I am thankful that as God comforts her in her own loss and grief, she is encouraging and comforting me as well.

So what experiences has God given you? Maybe they’re things you’ve never even told anyone about. Maybe they’re mistakes you’ve made, but God has brought you through. I can guarantee that there are other women who are struggling with the same things right now.

I think sometimes we feel like we need to walk around looking like we have it all together. What we need to do (especially in a mentor/mentee relationship) is to be open about our struggle, but share how God has worked in spite of that.

So how do you find someone to mentor?

-Just offer. I think many women would love to have someone come along side and help them through life, but it can be an intimidating thing to ask for.

-Think about people you already have relationships with. Now be intentional about those relationships.

-Think about your life experiences and current stage of life. Who do you know that is there now?

Pray together! By praying together, you are doing probably the most intentional and beneficial thing you can for any relationship.

How could God use you to be a blessing and encouragement to other women in your life?