What does "being strong" mean to you? My definition of “being strong” has taken many shapes over the years, but what I’ve come to learn is that it isn’t about being unphased or unaffected by difficulty, barriers, or struggle. Being strong, to me, is about how we move through difficulty rather than allowing it to paralyze us. Similar to resilience, it’s the ability to not run from challenges, but to face them—and even welcome them.
What keeps you strong in times of trial? One of my biggest fears used to be being consumed by whatever a trial might bring—grief, disappointment, loneliness—because I was afraid of feeling those things. But what has helped me stay strong in the middle of trial isn’t avoiding those feelings, but learning to welcome them, knowing that God will hold me whenever a wave of grief comes. He is my anchor when the waves feel big and all-consuming, and I’ve learned that I don’t have to be afraid of the waves when I know who is holding me through them.
How do you encourage other women to be strong? It’s so easy to give our headspace to what we can’t do and focus on our weaknesses, and I’m guilty of this myself. But I want to encourage women to see what they are capable of—to see themselves through the lens of who God has made them to be, and to recognize that their weaknesses aren’t a barrier, but can actually be a tool God uses.
What’s one thing someone could do today to make them stronger? Let people hold things with you. Be Vulnerable. Let others see you fully.
If you could ask a question to other women regarding strength, what would you ask? : Did you always feel strong? What as a significant moment when you first felt strong?
Bella’s Intentional Act of Kindness
How did you use the $100? I have a friend who moved her entire family to Juneau, Alaska, to serve college students by building relationships and sharing the love of Jesus. Many of these students are first-generation college students living far from home. This $100 helps provide the resources needed to connect with students, open their home to them, and host events that create community and share the love of Jesus.
I wanted to support and champion a friend who has sacrificially dedicated her life and family to this mission, making significant personal sacrifices to serve others and share the love of Jesus. I’ve had the privilege of traveling to Alaska and seeing firsthand the incredible work being done, and I wanted to contribute to a mission I’ve personally witnessed and believe in.
What was the 'Intentional Act of Kindness' process like for you? It was both humbling and exciting to have the opportunity to give so generously and make a meaningful impact. It also challenged and encouraged me to be more intentional about generosity and to actively look for more opportunities to give and support others in the future.