Gift of Helps
Protectress
A Stabilizing Force
The Apostle Paul spoke a powerful truth about a pillar in the work of the Lord, a worker who is always to be received in a way worthy of a true child of God. He writes, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe... I ask that you receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints... for she has been a great help to many people, including me.” (Romans 16:1-2)
There is a key word you need to catch: help. Help, (προστάτις prostátis) meaning to be a protector, defender or guardian. (The Complete Word Study, New Testament; The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible; Thomas, R. L. (1998). New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : updated edition. Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc.) "A woman who is active in
helping... a patroness engaged in supporting an individual or endeavor..." (A Concise Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament)
Modern culture’s application of help, helper or helpmate has robbed many a Christian woman out of the joy of being a Biblical protectress. Many women today might be insulted to be introduced as somebody's helper. Often, helpmate is considered a demeaning term. Today, the countenance of many wives, while around their husbands is one of brokenness, hurt, distrust and dishonoring.
There are women, Christian and non-Christian who have discovered what it means to be a real help, one who supports individuals and endeavors. These women use their God given talents and abilities to help their CEOs achieve their goals and accomplish their dreams while protecting the reputation of their coworkers or supervisors. There are protectresses who honor their husbands at all times, participate in joint endeavors with them, they are faithful through thick and thin.
Many women who are a protectress enjoy the benefits. Wives have been blessed with husbands who love them as Christ sacrificially loves the church, their emotions are embraced, and they are secure in trials and temptations as well as satisfied in their relationships. Many of these protectresses are secure in their jobs, long term their service and well rewarded in their efforts.
No one is an island, everyone who enjoys success has a protector, someone who is able to help, give protection and keep things in good order. Their Spiritual gifts, talents, and abilities stabilize the work force, keep their respective CEO's vision clear and unify the personnel. They are the glue that holds it all together, the oil that keeps things moving smoothly and they are the eyes that recognize potential hindrances. These protectresses protect fellow-worker's time, direct customers to the right personnel and schedule the day’s tasks so the team is timely, more productive and effective.
There is a phrase that holds a lot of truth: "Behind every successful man is a good woman." In most cultures, in the past, even now, men who enjoy seeing their dreams and visions come true, had or have a good woman who is a protectress. These women have a way of staying under the radar, but are very much involved in the success and productivity of key endeavors.
Pray for more protectresses; you and I need them.
