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Written by Kat Bittner, Volunteer and Board Member with Iron Rose Sister Ministries

I recall a time struggling to understand faith vs. works. There was a tendency growing up to believe that one had to be “doing good” to get to Heaven. And I was consumed by that belief. I battled internally with guilt – and fear – that my faith wasn’t sufficient because I wasn’t doing enough. Even after marrying a faithful believer, becoming a mother, and making a home, I felt inadequate as a Christian woman. 

However, a wise, Godly woman speaking at a ladies’ event helped me understand something that changed my thinking. It was my flawed perspective on “doing good” that kept me from being the faithful woman of God I wanted to be… and that God had intended for me. She said it starts with a faithful fear of the Lord. 

What’s required of us by God is to “fear the Lord…and live in a way that pleases Him” (Dt 10:12 NLT). She further explained that the fear of the Lord is not being afraid of God, or His wrath and punishment, or not going to Heaven. Rather, it is reverence and awe of His holiness and submission to Him. Scripture tells us that the fear of the Lord produces wisdom (Ps 111:10) and faithfulness (Pr 2:1-6; Jas 3:13). And faithfulness is revealed by our fruits or good deeds (Mt 7:17-20). And I learned from this wise woman’s counsel and further study on my own that I am not doing good to be faithful, but the other way around. Because I am faithful, I do good. 

I will show you my faith by my good deeds. (Jas 2:18)

I have also come to appreciate that the more I grow in my faith, the more active in my faith I am (Jas 2:18, 24). Because I was “created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph 2:10 NIV), I pursue those things which God has gifted me to do. For example, I am passionate about women’s and children’s ministries and devote a lot of my time teaching and serving in areas that further those efforts, like Iron Rose Sister Ministries and Ciudad de Angeles in Cozumel, Mexico. In my home congregation, I teach the 2- and 3-year olds’ Bible class and VBS, serve on our Women’s Ministry Committee, lead several women’s events and classes, and organize the ministry that serves meals to families in need within our congregation. God has also called me to do a good work with my gift and love for singing. I do this by spreading the name of Jesus in sacred song with the community choir of which I’m a part. 

I do all this not to earn my way to Heaven, nor do I share this with you to boast. On the contrary, I am active in all this because each day I only want to please the Lord in doing what He has ordained for my life (Ps 139:16). I want to do good things to honor and glorify God because I love Him, and I am thankful to be in relationship with Him. Put simply, I want to do these things. As we have been commanded to “love each other just as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34 NLT), I want to do them because I express my love for God by doing things for others in love. 

Every woman is equipped to put her faith into action with the good works that God has especially designed for her. Not every woman will teach. Not every woman will sing. Not every woman will be a wife or mother. But every woman can increase in wisdom through the fear of the Lord. And the wise woman who does good reveals her faithfulness by what she does. And she is to be praised for it (Pr 31:30-31)! 

From the mundane task to the most benevolent act – all things should be done for God’s glory and in service to Him (Col 3:23-24). Our faithfulness to God is revealed through the deeds we do, which He has prepared for us according to the unique way He created each of us. Theologian and evangelist John Wesely sums it up well with the following synthesis of his teachings and sentiments: “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” 

What will you do as a wise woman of action, showing your faithfulness to God?

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• PracticeGratitude

Written by Jéssica Romero, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Manaus, Brazil

Hannah's story is a true inspiration for us—women who desire to live with wisdom and faith. In 1 Samuel 1 and 2, we see her journey: she was a distressed woman, humiliated by her barrenness, and constantly provoked by her rival, Peninnah. However, amidst her pain, Hannah did not turn away from God. On the contrary, she drew closer. Hannah's sincere cry before the Lord shows us where true gratitude begins: in complete trust in God.

After God answered her prayer and she gave birth to Samuel, Hannah did not cling to the blessing, but to the Blesser. And it is there that we see how she practiced gratitude deeply and courageously. 

Hannah was grateful with actions, not just words. True gratitude goes beyond saying "thank you." Hannah had promised that if she ever received a son, she would give him to the Lord. And that is exactly what she did (1Sa 1:24–28). After weaning him, she took Samuel to the temple and left him there, still a very young boy.

Think how difficult this was. How many mothers would be willing to give up their son so young, knowing they would rarely see him? But Hannah understood that her son was a gift from the Lord. She was true to her word and demonstrated, through actions, that her gratitude was not superficial. As wise women, we are called to recognize that everything we have comes from God and to live generously, giving back to Him what belongs to Him.

Hannah praised God with a heart full of faith: Chapter 2 begins with Hannah's song, a true psalm of gratitude. She declares: "My heart rejoices in the Lord…There is no one holy like the Lord" (1Sa 2:1-2 NIV).

Hannah's praise is not limited to giving thanks for her son. She exalts who God is: holy, just, powerful, and faithful. Her gratitude is centered on God, not just on what He has done for her. This is a sign of spiritual maturity: when we learn to give thanks not only for blessings, but for the presence, character, and sovereignty of our God.

Hannah turned her pain into praise: Before God's answer, Hannah was a humiliated woman full of sorrow. She wept, didn't eat, and was misunderstood even by the priest Eli. But instead of rebelling, she poured out her soul before the Lord (1Sa 1:15).

How many times do we go through difficult situations, and our first reaction is discouragement or complaint? Hannah shows us a different path: that of persistent prayer. And then, when the miracle came, she didn't forget to give thanks.

How many times do we pray fervently, but then forget to return to give thanks with the same intensity?

Applications for us: Perhaps you've been praying for something for a long time—a child, a restored marriage, a job, a healing. Learn from Hannah: go to the Lord, pour out your soul, trust in His will, and when the answer comes, don't forget to give thanks with your life, not just with your lips.

Gratitude doesn't depend on circumstances. Hannah learned to trust before, during, and after the answer.

What about you? Are you willing to practice gratitude even while waiting?

A wise woman recognizes that everything she has comes from God—and that's why she lives with a generous heart, open hands, and a mouth full of praise.

Gratitude that transforms: Hannah wasn't just a grateful woman; she was a wise woman. Her story invites us to trust God more, to surrender what we have with courage, and to praise Him even when it hurts. Gratitude isn't a fleeting emotion. It's a lifestyle. And it's also a powerful spiritual weapon that transforms the heart.

So, ladies, let's follow Hannah’s example!

Is there an area of ​​your life where you need to practice more active and profound gratitude, perhaps even giving something back to the Lord? How can you practically live this gratitude starting today?