Ever been around a “Little Girl” who was 30, 40, or 50+ years old . . . or older? A whiny, spoiled, silly, complaining, indecisive, insecure, foolish woman who’s stuck in her little-girl world and ways?
Ever been that girl? Ouch! Me, too.
Unfortunately, no matter how old you are, it’s very easy to revert to Little Girl behavior. For instance, have you heard yourself think or say any of these Little Girl lines lately:
- “I’ve got soooo much to do this week, and I’m already soooo tired and soooo stressed out.”
- “I’m soooo bored with my marriage. Hmmm . . . wonder if my ol’ high-school flame is on Facebook?”
- “I have toooo many decisions to make. I really just need somebody to tell me what to doooo.”
- “It’s only week one of summer break, and my kids are already making me crazy!”
- “Oooo . . . a new credit card in the mail. God must have known I needed a nice vacation!”
In her excellent, must-read book for women, Big Girls Don’t Whine, author Jan Silvious defines the difference between Big Girls and Little Girls and calls all of us girls to become the mature, confident, wise women God created us to be. It’s one of my favorite books of all time. In fact, I think it should be required reading for every Christian woman.
But you don’t have to wait until you get your hands on Jan’s book to become a Big Girl, because God’s book is full of Big Girl verses. And I’ve got two of them to share with you today. Make these two verses your goals this week and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a Big Girl: a smart and savvy, gracious and godly, mature Christian woman!
2 Goals for Big Girls (and Big Girl wannabes)
“Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” 1 Thess. 2:4 NLT
Goal #1: Please God and not (necessarily) people.
Little Girls live to please others. They base their decisions upon an unhealthy fear of what others will think. Ultimately, Little Girls remain immature in their faith and stunted in their spiritual growth.
Big Girls live to please God. They base their decisions upon a healthy fear of the Lord (Prov. 31:30) and obedience to Him. Ultimately, Big Girls become mature in their faith and “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord” (2 Peter 3:18).
So, be a Big Girl: Make it your goal to please God.
“Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands…” 1 Thess. 4:11
Goal #2: Live a quiet life, mind your own business, and be productive at work and at home.
Little Girls need lots of attention, so they talk and talk and talk: on their cell phones, to their co-workers, to their friends, and to just about anybody who will listen. They tell everybody everything and if you tell them something, they’ll tell everybody everything about you, too. No wonder the Little Girl’s work suffers and her home is a wreck.
Big Girls do not monopolize the time and attention of others. They enjoy good conversations, but they are wise and discreet with their words and they know that “too much talk leads to sin” (Prov. 10:19 NLT). Hard-working and productive both at home and at work, no wonder the Big Girl can “smile at the future” (Prov. 31:25 NASB).
Be a Big Girl: Make it your goal to live quietly, mind your own business, and be productive.
Each day is filled with challenges and circumstances that will tempt you to react and respond like a Little Girl. But there’s something you can do that will prevent you from reverting to Little Girl status . . .
Put on your Big Girl verses (1 Thessalonians 2:4 and 4:11), and deal with life this week like the woman God wants you to be.