Can we talk for a minute about the women in Scripture that nobody probably memorized a verse about? I mean the encouraging women of the Bible that we likely didn’t learn about in Sunday School. Seems like we always learned about the same ones time and time again.
You know the famous ones.
Esther. Ruth. Mary.
We love them, we quote them, we name our daughters after them.
But if you’ve spent any time looking for encouraging women of the Bible, you’ve probably noticed something.
Some of the most powerful faith stories in Scripture belong to women who are never even given a name. Wild, right?
They’re called “a woman,” “a widow,” “a servant girl.”
And yet God moved through them in ways that still echo today.
I think that’s actually the point.
This is a space for exactly that kind of digging – the quiet corners of Scripture where God shows up for ordinary, unnamed, easily-overlooked people.
You may feel like that at times.
We all do. That’s why I write to women like us.
By the way, If that’s the kind of community you want to be part of, stick around to the end, because I’d love for you to subscribe and keep exploring encouraging women of the Bible with me every week.
So let’s meet a few of them.
The Woman Who Wasn’t Afraid to Ask for More (2 Kings 4)
We call her the Shunammite woman, simply because she was from Shunem.
She had no son, and in her culture, that was a source of grief and shame.
But when the prophet Elisha passed through her town, she didn’t wait to be noticed. Check this out.
She built him a room!
She was hospitable and even fed him.
She had a son, and he later died in her arms.
Being very familiar with grief, that breaks my heart.
But, she didn’t panic or accept it.
She got on a donkey, rode straight to Elisha, and refused to leave without an answer.
Her son was raised back to life by the power of God.
This is one of my favorite encouraging women of the Bible stories precisely because her faith wasn’t quiet.
It was active, insistent, and unwilling to settle.
Are you trusting God for something? I pray she is an inspiration.
More About the Shunammite Woman:
- Prosperous but carrying an unanswered longing. — 2 Kings 4:8, 14
- Generous without an apparent ulterior motive. — 2 Kings 4:8–10
- Spiritually perceptive—she recognizes something about Elisha before asking anything of him. — 2 Kings 4:9
- Decisive and practical—food isn’t enough; she creates a permanent place for ministry. — 2 Kings 4:9–10
- Independent-minded—she doesn’t jump at Elisha’s offer of political influence. — 2 Kings 4:13
- Emotionally honest—when he touches the painful subject of a son, she doesn’t give a polished religious response. — 2 Kings 4:15–16
- Determined in crisis—after her son dies, she takes action and refuses to settle for Gehazi as a substitute for Elisha. — 2 Kings 4:21–30
The Woman Who Touched a Hem (Mark 5)
She’d been bleeding for twelve years.
Twelve years of doctors, of money spent, of being ceremonially “unclean”.
All those years of being pushed to the edges of her community.
She had every reason to believe she was invisible. Have you ever felt invisible?
Anyway, she reasoned, “If I just touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
She didn’t ask permission.
She reached through a crowd, touched the edge of Jesus’ robe, and was instantly healed.
Just like that!
Then, my favorite part. Jesus stopped, found her, and called her “daughter” — restoring not just her body but her place in the community.
Her story reminds us that encouraging women of the Bible aren’t always bold speakers; sometimes they’re just desperate enough to reach out to Jesus.
A Snap Shot of the Woman with the Blood Issue in the Bible:
- Suffering but still seeking a solution—she had been bleeding for twelve years and had endured many unsuccessful treatments. — Mark 5:25–26
- Persistent despite disappointment—after years of suffering and spending all she had, she still acted when she heard about Jesus. — Mark 5:26–27
- Faith-filled—she believed that simply touching Jesus’ clothes would be enough for her healing. — Mark 5:27–28
- Courageous—she moved through the crowd and reached for Jesus despite the physical and social difficulties her condition likely created. — Mark 5:27–29
- Immediately transformed—when she touched His clothing, the bleeding stopped and she knew physically that she had been healed. — Mark 5:29
- Afraid but honest—when Jesus asked who had touched Him, she came forward trembling and told Him the whole truth. — Mark 5:30–33
- Personally affirmed by Jesus—Jesus called her “Daughter,” credited her faith, and sent her away in peace. — Mark 5:34
Oh, The Woman at the Well (John 4)
She came to draw water at noon.
Girl, that was the hottest part of the day!
She did that becuase no one else would be there.
That timing alone tells us something: she was avoiding people. She was also strategic. I find that makes her smart more than just a sinful woman in our encouraging women of the Bible.
She had a complicated past and probably a reputation to match.
Yet Jesus sat down and spoke with her directly. He took time.
He was defying every social rule of the day.
That conversation changed her so completely that she left her water jar behind and ran to tell her entire town about him.
I think she was like an evangelist!
Because of her testimony, “many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him.”
An outcast became one of the first evangelists in the Gospel of John.
The Woman at the Well — John 4
A little about this par too my encouraging women of the Bible article:
- She was a Samaritan woman, part of a people with a long-standing religious and ethnic conflict with the Jews. Samaritans worshiped the God of Israel but differed sharply with Jews over worship and sacred places. John makes the tension explicit by noting that Jews normally did not associate with Samaritans, which helps explain her surprise that Jesus—a Jewish man—spoke to her. — John 4:9 (Bible Gateway)
- Socially unexpected but personally seen—Jesus deliberately engaged a Samaritan woman despite the social barriers between Jews and Samaritans. — John 4:7–9
- Curious and willing to engage—rather than ending the conversation, she questioned Jesus and continued talking with Him. — John 4:9–15
- Carrying a complicated personal history—she had been married five times and was living with a man who was not her husband. — John 4:16–18
- Spiritually interested—her questions moved beyond her personal circumstances to worship, God, and the coming Messiah. — John 4:19–25
- Given an extraordinary revelation—Jesus directly revealed to her that He was the Messiah. — John 4:25–26
- Eager to share what she discovered—she left her water jar, returned to town, and invited others to come meet Jesus. — John 4:28–30
- Influential despite her past—many Samaritans initially believed in Jesus because of her testimony. — John 4:39–42
The Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17)
In the middle of a famine, this widow was preparing what she believed would be her last meal for herself and her son.
This story always made me sad.
Well, then at this sad moment, God showed up.
He came in the form of the prophet Elijah.
I love that he showed up and asked something kind of crazy.
He asked her to feed him first.
What nerve? God always does something we least expect.
Here is the kicker: after he asked, she answered.
She had every reason to say no. Instead, she trusted a stranger’s promise from God, and her jar of flour and jug of oil never ran dry for the rest of the famine.
Yes. I would add one short “Who were her people?” bullet to each woman’s section. It gives readers cultural context without turning the study into a history lesson.
About her:
- She was a foreigner from Zarephath in the region of Sidon—not an Israelite woman. This is significant because Sidon was Phoenician territory outside Israel, yet God deliberately sent the Israelite prophet Elijah there to be cared for by this Gentile widow. — 1 Kings 17:8–9 (Bible Gateway)
- I think the fact that the widow was outside Israel is part of the theological significance of her story; Jesus later specifically points to her when teaching about God’s grace extending beyond Israel in Luke 4:25–26. Luke 4:25–26
- She was a Sidonian/Phoenician, not an Israelite. Zarephath belonged to the territory of Sidon (Jezebel was from there – see below!), on the Mediterranean coast north of Israel. God specifically tells Elijah to leave Israel and go there. — 1 Kings 17:8–9
- Her people were associated with Baal worship. This matters enormously in the story. Just before Elijah goes to Zarephath, Scripture tells us that Israel’s King Ahab married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians, and began worshiping Baal. The widow therefore lived right in the region associated with the religious influence Elijah was confronting. — 1 Kings 16:31
- Yet she appears to have some awareness of Israel’s God. When Elijah asks her for food, she responds, “As surely as the LORD your God lives….” Notice she initially says “your God,” not “my God.” That fits the picture of a foreign woman encountering the God of Israel through Elijah. — 1 Kings 17:12
I bet people come to us all the time wanting hope and help from “our God.” What an evangelical opportunity. Who would have thought we’d find one of Jezebel’s people among the encouraging women of the Bible? Just as wild as finding me or any of us. God is so gracious.
- She was a widow and a mother in an economically desperate position. There is no husband mentioned to provide for the household, and during the famine she is down to a handful of flour and a little oil. She expects that she and her son will eat one final meal and then die. — 1 Kings 17:10–12
- God’s choice of her was itself significant. There were widows in Israel, yet God sent Elijah to a foreign widow in Sidon. Jesus later specifically uses her story to make this point: Elijah was not sent to Israel’s widows but to the widow in Zarephath. — Luke 4:25–26
Let’s move on to my next of the encouraging women of the Bible.
The Persistent Widow (Luke 18)
I love her story! I love her journey! She had to make the list for our encouraging women of the Bible group!
She embodies everything from the women above – she embodies hope and persistence.
This one isn’t even a historical figure – she’s just a character in a parable Jesus told.
In Luke 18, the persistent widow is a real champion for hope and faith.
Even when things look pretty bleak.
Think for it, she’s up against a corrupt judge who couldn’t care less about God or people.
But she doesn’t let her tough spot stop her from fighting for justice.
Instead of just sitting around waiting, she actively believes that her struggle is worth it and that justice is within her reach.
Fueled by a strong hope that her situation could turn around, she keeps going back to the judge.
In fact, Sis goes over and over until he finally gives in and helps her out.
I think Jesus uses her story to show you and me that true faith means sticking with it through persistent prayer.
We can’t quit!
We have to move forward with the strong belief that God’s got our back, and He will eventually make things right for those who keep pushing forward.
All the encouraging women of the Bible did that.
Let me share a little bit about her – even though she didn’t exist (she is still an important part of my series of encouraging women of the Bible):
- A widow with little social power—Jesus intentionally identifies her as a widow, someone who could be particularly vulnerable in the ancient world, especially without a husband to advocate for her. — Luke 18:3
- Facing an unresolved injustice—she repeatedly asks the judge, “Grant me justice against my adversary.” We aren’t told what happened to her, only that she believed she had a legitimate grievance requiring judgment. — Luke 18:3
- Persistent despite repeated rejection—the judge refuses her request “for some time,” yet she keeps returning. Her defining characteristic is that she does not allow his refusal to become her final answer. — Luke 18:4–5
- Bold enough to keep asking—she has little apparent influence over the judge, but she uses what she does have: her voice and her willingness to keep appearing before him. — Luke 18:3–5
- Her persistence eventually produces action—the unjust judge finally grants her justice because she continues coming to him. — Luke 18:4–5
- Jesus uses her to teach perseverance in prayer—Luke actually tells us the purpose of the parable before Jesus tells it: His disciples should “always pray and not give up.” — Luke 18:1
Remember this: God is not being compared to the unjust judge as though we must wear Him down.
I’ve heard people say and teach similar principles a long time ago.
Jesus’ argument is a contrast: if even an unjust judge eventually responds, how much more can God’s people trust a just God who hears His chosen ones when they cry out to Him? — Luke 18:6–8
Do you see the theme?
We can’t give up, Christian Woman!
We have to be bold to ask for what we need. Be confident that God can deliver, and be hopeful enough to move forward in faith and watch Him work!
Here’s a quick look at what these women at-a-glance to bring them life for you:
| Woman | Her Circumstance | Strength of Faith She Brought | How God Moved |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Shunammite Woman | Childless, then grieving her son’s death | Bold hospitality and refusal to accept despair | Her son was raised from the dead |
| The Woman with the Issue of Blood | Twelve years of illness and social isolation | Quiet, desperate persistence | Instant healing and public restoration |
| The Woman at the Well | Social outcast with a complicated past | Honesty and willingness to be changed | Became a bold witness to her whole town |
| The Widow of Zarephath | Facing starvation during a famine | Obedience despite having almost nothing | Her food never ran out |
| The Persistent Widow (parable) | Powerless before an unjust judge | Relentless, unashamed persistence | Modeled prayer that God honors |
When you want to make these stories personal, forget about the thousands of years between then and now and look at the real human moments.
Look at what you can learn and apply from it.
Picture what it actually feels like to stand in their sandals. Think about the gut-punch of unexpected loss.
Or, the exhaustion of fighting a system that ignores you.
Don’t forget the quiet, terrifying boldness it takes to ask for a miracle when you’re completely out of options.
Maybe you can relate to that now.
You’ve probably felt that exact same tension in your own life.
I bet you have – if that ‘s not you this moment.
You know, that heavy hesitation right before you make a hard decision.
If you’re like me, you know that stubborn hope that keeps you praying – even when every circumstance tells you to give up.
Their stories aren’t just ancient texts.
No!
Texts like encouraging women of the Bible are direct mirrors.
I think of them like mirrors reflecting your own resilience, showing you that faith isn’t about being perfect … it’s about showing up, demanding to be heard, and believing that your story isn’t over yet.
Why These Stories Matter So Much
Here’s what strikes me every time I study encouraging women of the Bible like these: none of them had status, wealth, or a platform.
They had grief, illness, hunger, shame, and unanswered prayers.
And in every single case, that’s exactly where God met them.
He reached down from heaven and moved on their behalf.
My Sister, if you’ve ever felt like your story is too small or too messy to matter, these women say otherwise.
Let me remind you that you don’t need a name people recognize for God to move in your life.
You don’t have to be perfect or have perfect surroundings.
You just need to show up like they did – with hospitality, generosity, with desperation, with honesty, with obedience, with persistence.
Amen?
Below, type what you are trusting God for. No need to use your real name or real email address – unless you want me to reply.
I’ll pray with you, and I ask that you pray for any comments that appear below.
Let’s Keep Going Together
This is exactly the kind of community I want to build here.
I want us to pray for one another – even if we never see each other’s faces.
If that sounds like your kind of space, subscribe.
If not, thanks for stopping by and be blessed!
Love you!
Terri
A Personal Bible Study
Grab this downloadable personal Bible Study about the Widow of Zarephath (my favorite of the encouraging women of the Bible) for your next quiet time with the Lord. It will bless you. Click here to see it.
What’s Included:
- 3 Guided Learning Modules: Journey through 1 Kings 17:8–24 to examine the context of scarcity, the logic of spiritual transformation, and navigating secondary trials when grief resurfaces.
- Adult Learning Framework: Includes prior-knowledge activation, critical reflection prompts, and practical real-world application.
- Self-Directed Reflection & Journaling Prompts: Space to identify your personal warning signs of burnout and reframe how you bring raw, honest prayers to God.
- Personal Synthesis & Anchor Prayer: A structured wrap-up exercise designed to turn spiritual head-knowledge into daily habits.
- Beautifully Formatted PDF: Clean, modern layout branded for GodsyGirl.com, optimized for printing at home or using digitally on a tablet/iPad.
It focuses on the widow. Click here!
