Inspiring the Next Generation of Strong Women - Encouragement for Today - March 17, 2025
Inspiring the Next Generation of Strong Women
JESSIE MINASSIAN
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“I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.” John 10:10b (CEB)
Don’t you just love it when your kids are mature enough to call you out? Ouch.
One instance rings clearly in my memory. My oldest daughter was 9, on the cusp of double digits, and dreading a particular fate worse than death on the horizon : growing up.
“What’s wrong with growing up, love?” I asked her one day.
“Adults are miserable,” she bemoaned. “They’re always stressed and serious, and they never play with their friends.”
I wanted to protest, but she had me pegged. At the time, I was stressed about a deadline, spent more time managing the chaos of family life than laughing, and rarely“played” with my friends.
Truthfully, when left to my natural tendencies, I often settle for a midline life — head down, rushed, letting stress suck the joy right out of me. Here I was trying to teach my girls that life with Jesus was “a big adventure,” but my life read less like a great story and more like an instruction manual.
Jesus said, “I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest” (John 10:10b).
We want our children, nieces, nephews, students and grandkids to thrive like this. We tell them to look forward to the future because God has good plans for them (Jeremiah 29:11). And when they get knocked down, we remind them the best is yet to come. But young adults can sniff a bluff a mile away. If we don’t live what we’re preaching, our words fall flat.
Here are eight questions to consider as we strive to model for the next generation the abundant life Jesus died to offer us:
- If we expect them to dream big, what new horizons can we explore?
- If we want them to master time management, how will we order our days?
- If we tell them to be confident in their beauty, how should we speak about our own bodies?
- If we encourage them to have big faith, are we brave enough to pray for miracles?
- If we want them to view marriage as a gift, are we willing to shed apathy and believe in romance again?
- If we warn them that misusing their devices can harm them, will we be the boss of our own tech?
- If we promise them singleness isn’t a curse, will we lean into our own singleness with hope?
- If we tell them God loves a cheerful giver, do we get excited to be generous?
God wants the next generation to live full of purpose, faith, joy, agency, resilience and adventure. But Jesus wants that for us too! He’s inviting you and me to live our brightest lives. Let’s take Him up on the offer and show those young’uns that life is just getting started.
Father, thank You for inviting me to live life to the fullest. Please lead me into greater abundance. Help me display Your love and light for the next generation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
Gift a copy of Your Brightest Life to a young adult gal in your life. Better yet, read through it together. It just might inspire you both to live life to the fullest!
ENGAGE
You can download free affirmation cards, a vision board kit and more with every purchase of Your Brightest Life. Visit YourBrightest.com for more info.
Enter to WIN your very own copy of Your Brightest Life by Jessie Minassian. To celebrate this book, Jessie’s publisher will give away 5 copies! Enter to win by filling out the form here. {We’ll randomly select 5 winners and notify them via email by Monday, March 24, 2025.}
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (NIV).
What’s one way God might be inviting you to live a more abundant life?
Think of a young woman you care about — maybe a family member, neighbor or church friend. How can you inspire her to live life to the fullest? Share with us in the comments!
© 2025 by Jessie Minassian. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
