5 Reasons to Seek Out the Counsel of Godly Older Women

1. Their life experience gives them insights into biblical truths.

Godly older women have gained a wealth of experience applying God’s wisdom to all aspects of life. Their journey through different seasons of managing careers, community service, friendships, marriage, parenthood, and more – while dealing with challenges along the way – has equipped them with practical wisdom that is rooted in their lived experiences. As Job 12:12 points out: “Is not wisdom found among the aged? Does not long life bring understanding?” This verse highlights that wisdom often comes from age and experience.

Godly older women, having lived through and learned from numerous life experiences, can offer insights that younger women might not yet possess. They have faced all sorts of circumstances in their long lives, giving them a depth of understanding and empathy that can be incredibly beneficial to younger women trying to make wise decisions. Since godly older women have spent years reading and studying the Bible, they can teach younger women how to apply biblical truths to their daily lives, so they can grow in holiness.

Hebrews 4:12 reveals: “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Godly older women have had lots of experience actively applying the Bible’s living words to their lives. So, they can help younger women do the same and grow spiritually every day.

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2. The Bible encourages older women to teach and mentor.

In Titus 2:3-5, the Bible encourages older women to take on roles as mentors for younger women: “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” This passage describes how guidance from older women helps younger women fulfill their roles in faithful ways. This mentorship encompasses all parts of life, from developing a strong moral character to letting God’s love flow through their lives well.

One of the most powerful ways older women can influence the younger generation is by modeling how to live faithfully. Their attitudes and actions serve as living examples of how to walk well with Jesus through each day. In the process, older women can inspire younger women to emulate them by asking the Holy Spirit to help them grow spiritually day by day. The Apostle Paul’s encouragement in 1 Corinthians 11:1 – “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” – can be applied to relationships between older and younger women. Godly older women give younger women tangible examples of what it means to walk with Jesus well. Younger women who pay attention to those examples can learn and grow closer to God as a result. 

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3. Their encouragement and support are valuable.

Life’s challenges can often leave us feeling isolated and overwhelmed. Godly older women offer us encouragement and support through compassionate friendships. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 reminds us: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” This highlights how God often makes it possible for people to pass comfort along.

Older women, who have received God’s comfort through their challenges, are often well-equipped to extend that same comfort to younger women who are going through similar challenges. That can lead to a sense of solidarity and reassurance that can be profoundly healing. The prayers of godly older women can also be a powerful force in the lives of those they mentor. Their long experience of praying helps them to engage in spiritual warfare successfully, interceding on behalf of others like younger women with deep faith.

James 5:16 encourages us: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” Godly older women are righteous people whose prayers can bring about powerful answers to prayer from God. Younger women can ask godly older women to pray about whatever concerns they have, with the confidence that God will respond in the best ways and at the best times. Also, the consistent prayer lives of godly older women serve as examples of how to be persistent in prayer. Younger believers can learn the importance of persevering in faith as they see firsthand the results of persistent prayer. 

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4. Their advice for going through life transitions is valuable.

Life is filled with transitions – graduation, career changes, moving, marriage, parenthood, retirement, and more. Godly older women, who have already faithfully managed these transitions, can offer younger women valuable advice during these periods of change. They can guide younger women on how to manage transitions in ways that honor God and help younger women live into their purpose.

Proverbs 15:22 points out the importance of seeking counsel: “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” This proverb highlights the value of having multiple advisers. It can be beneficial for younger women to ask multiple godly older women for advice about some of their most vital decisions during life transitions. Older women can provide strategic advice that helps steer younger women through significant life changes with wisdom and grace. Their insights can be particularly valuable in uncertain times, because they offer steady guidance that younger women can listen to as they try to figure out new and challenging situations.

Godly older women can help younger women relieve stress and achieve clarity as they counsel them on any kind of life transition – from how to maintain a godly marriage, to how to balance work and family well. That advice can take different forms, such as personal stories of lessons learned or biblical principles that have guided them through similar transitions. No matter how older women pass along godly advice to younger women, the guidance they share can help younger women make major life decisions from a foundation of faith and trust in God.

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5. They model servant leadership in action.

Godly older women often exemplify servant leadership. They show what it looks like to live a life dedicated to helping others and glorifying God. Their humility and love serve as powerful examples of godly living that can inspire and guide the younger generation. Philippians 2:3-7 instructs us: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.” This passage calls us to focus on Jesus’ mindset of sacrificial love in action for good purposes. If we have relationships with Jesus, “… we have the mind of Christ,” the Bible declares in 1 Corinthians 2:16.

Jesus may lead younger women to specific godly older women who are servant leaders and can teach them how to help others who need help for their well-being. Through their actions, godly older women demonstrate the power of serving others. They often take on roles in the church and community, volunteering their time and resources to help those in need. This selflessness is a tangible expression of their faith and love for God, and it serves as a powerful testimony to younger generations. Their lives illustrate the joy and fulfillment that come from living a life of service, encouraging others to do the same. Their example can encourage and inspire younger women to build a community of servant leaders who reflect Jesus’ powerful love in action. 

In conclusion, the counsel of godly older women is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to grow in faith and wisdom – especially younger women who want friendships and mentoring relationships. The life experiences, biblical insights, and excellent character of godly older women can all positively impact the lives of the people who learn from them. As we seek to make the best decisions in our lives, let’s not overlook the wisdom and support that these seasoned saints offer. By embracing the guidance of godly older women, we not only enrich our own spiritual journeys, but we also contribute to a vibrant community where godly counsel flows freely from one generation to the next!

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