Freedom to Carry what is Ours

Ladies, the Lord has called us to such important things. Our essence as women is incredible. As women, we are allowed to grow life within us and around us. We truly tend to such a varied garden. Think about it. We have a gentleness and warmth that draw those around us. With the Lord, we can be a space of rest, counsel, and light to others. The Lord has imbued us with such senses that we can tell when things are shifting in certain environments—oftentimes before they do. With these discernments, we can pray, protect, and be such pillars in our homes and communities. Yet, we can only carry our duties if we have the strength to carry what is ours to carry.

Which is why we need to truly understand the importance of submission.

In submission, we find the freedom and the actual time to focus on what the Lord has called us to do. It frees us in energy, in time, and in obedience.

Let’s think of Eve. Now, I love Eve—no judgment here. I don’t know that I would have been any different than her. So, as women who need grace daily, let’s go easy on our Mama Eve. But let’s see how things could have been different if she had been in complete submission.

Thought One:

A woman who is deeply submitted to her calling is so immersed in it that she has no time for distractions.

Think of the Proverbs 31 woman—a mighty gal who had lots of important things to do. Think of Ruth—busy, focused, gleaning in the fields. In 1 Timothy 5:10, we also see a woman doing good works, bringing up children, being hospitable, serving the saints. I don’t think any of these women would have had the time to entertain serpents.

So, if Eve was busy tending the garden, I think she would have had a different posture with the serpent. Perhaps responses like:

-       “Look, why would I want that fruit? My plate is full—metaphorically and truly. I have more than enough with all the other fruits I get to enjoy. Goodbye.”

-       “Be like God? Serpent, I am so busy trying to just be me with what God has given me. You’re out of your mind if you think I want to be like God. Good day, sir.”

Or, my personal favorite:

-       “Look, you got issues with God? Go talk to Him yourself. This is not for me to figure out.”

Submission.

Knowing your place. Knowing who God is, who you are in light of Him, and trusting that all we have is truly enough! Other voices outside of that are just clatter. They’re a nuisance.

Thought Two:

Ladies, there are some conversations we have no business entertaining. Have the discernment to know which discussions need to be submitted to the right authority.

Another example of Eve’s response is, “Look, I am my husband’s helper. Go talk to my husband about such matters.” I believe the serpent went to Eve because maybe she was more emotional, more easily drawn into the moment than Adam.

One memory that comes to mind is of a salesman who came knocking on our door to sell us a water softener. I love how, when my husband was steadfast and not budging, he directly turned to me! This man was good. He focused on how unfiltered water could be dangerous, detrimental to our children’s health. I wonder if that method has worked for him before—getting the women emotional and having her convince the husband. Maybe years ago, that would have worked on me, but not anymore. So, once I discerned the tactic, I looked at my husband and said, “Whatever you decide, we will do.” The salesman had nowhere else to go with his pitch! (And just to clarify, we do love a good water softener, and we ended up getting the best deal from a reputable company—everything in God’s perfect timing).

I also think of a certain politician (whose name I can’t remember, and it really doesn’t matter) who had this rule: never be in a room alone with any woman who is not your wife. I love this. It’s not extreme; it’s wise discernment. This is something that has stuck with me, and I aim to follow. There’s never a reason I need to be alone in any room with any man who is not my husband. We can speak in public, and we can speak with my husband present. Just like Eve, there are some conversations we have no business engaging in alone. Let’s bring things to the right authority.

Third and final thought:  

In submission, we can let others carry what is theirs. This way, we can focus and carry what is ours (and carry it well!).

With this thought, let’s focus on the lion pride for a minute. Lions have never been my favorite animals. I always thought it was so absurd that lionesses do so much for the pride while the lions get all the credit.

Yet now, I recognize why—and the beauty in this dynamic. The lioness, while in her role and in submission to the hierarchy of the pride, gets to hunt, scope out territory, alert the pride of danger, rear the cubs, and truly be the core of the pride. Lionesses thrive in hunting smaller game because they have the build—smaller frames, agility, coordination with the other lionesses—to be efficient. Lions exert more energy, aren't as fast or agile due to their size, and their mane makes it harder to hide. So, they stay behind with the cubs, ensuring they can protect them from bigger threats like other lions or big game. The lions also need to be ready for the big fights that threaten the safety of the pride. Each role is important.

Those “big fights”—if I’m honest, my husband is especially equipped by the Lord to fight them. Not me. When hard times come—criticisms, uncertainty, opposition—he has such wisdom and faith, trusting in the Lord. I’ve never seen my husband be impatient, anxious, rude, or out to get even. Over the years, he’s shown what it looks like to be surrendered to the Lord.

And me?

Y’all, I can unravel fast. When we did a fun personality quiz years ago, he was the color white—a peacekeeper. Shocker, right? And I was... red! The troublemaker. Lol. Well… not really, but kind of. I can get so anxious. I want to fight my own battles, move on emotion and impulse, worry about things that aren’t mine to worry about. But in submission, I can give these “big fights” to my husband and let him handle them with the Lord. While I trust in the calling the Lord has for me.

Financial worries? I let my husband lead. Emotional spaces where I can’t decide? I let my husband lead. Now, don’t get me wrong—I have my own relationship with Jesus. And 99.99% of the time, whatever the Lord is telling me, He’s also telling my husband. It’s so beautiful to see. But when there are times I haven’t heard from the Lord and my husband wants to move in a direction where I may differ emotionally, I choose to trust his leadership for our lives.

In this submission, I can focus on my role. I can truly rest—because this was God’s design, and I trust that God is good and that He is for me.

Ephesians 5:22-24:

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands." (See also: Colossians 3:18, Titus 2:3-5, 1 Peter 3:1-2)

And the most important submission of all—submission to Jesus.

James 4:7:

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Let go of what is not yours to carry. If you’re overwhelmed, anxious, fatigued, burnt out—ask yourself: are you submitted? Or better yet—who, exactly, are you submitted to?

In submission to Jesus, there is rest. I finally understand how His yoke can be easy or light—because what He has made for us is exactly what we can carry WITH Him. He will equip us for what He has called us to do.

When we tend to the gardens He has called us to, we flourish—we are creative, hospitable, kind, joyful. If He is our vine and we are His branches, we can enjoy the fruit of love—loving ourselves, loving others, loving where He has placed us.

Can you trust Him enough to submit?

What would Eve’s life have looked like if she had stayed within the Garden He designed for her and her family? What could your life look like today if you chose submission?

Reflection Corner:

• In what areas of your life are you carrying more than you were meant to?

• Are there conversations or responsibilities you need to lovingly release to the Lord—or to those He’s entrusted to lead?

• What would submission to Jesus look like in your everyday life?

Practical Takeaways:

• Practice discernment. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognize which “serpents” you’re giving too much time and energy to.

• Write down what’s truly yours to carry—and what needs to be surrendered.

• Have a heart-to-heart with your husband (or trusted spiritual leader) about areas you need support in.

• Memorize James 4:7 and return to it in moments of overwhelm.

  
  

Shalom & Grace,

Lis