Are you seeking wisdom from an age-old source?
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a revered figure in Christianity. Her life and teachings, though not directly recorded in the Bible, are inferred from the events and stories involving her.
Mary’s life was characterized by faith, obedience, and humility. Her acceptance of God’s will when she was told she would give birth to Jesus exemplifies her faith.
Embedded in the scripture are 7 teachings from Mary that can profoundly impact your life. These teachings serve as a roadmap for handling various challenges women face today.
1. Embracing faith amid uncertainty
The first inspiring teaching from Mary is about embracing faith, even in the face of uncertainty.
When Angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would conceive and give birth to Jesus, she was bewildered.
Despite her confusion and fear, Mary responded:
“Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38).
Mary’s strong faith in God’s plan, despite the unpredictability and potential societal repercussions, is a powerful lesson for modern women.
Life often throws curveballs that leave us bewildered and fearful. Yet, like Mary, we can choose to embrace faith amid uncertainty.
2. The power of obedience
The second inspiring teaching from Mary centers on obedience.
More specifically, it’s about her obedience to God’s will, even when it defied human understanding.
When Mary was told she would conceive by the Holy Spirit, she didn’t question or rebel against this divine plan. Instead, she submitted herself to God’s will, demonstrating her remarkable obedience (Luke 1:38).
In a world that often values independence and self-sufficiency, obedience might seem like an archaic concept.
However, Mary’s example reminds us of the transformative power of obedience.
This teaching nudges us to consider how we respond to divine directives in our lives.
- Do we listen?
- Do we trust?
- Do we obey without fully understanding?
Mary teaches modern women that obedience to divine guidance can lead to profound blessings and breakthroughs. It’s about surrendering control, trusting the process, and recognizing that we are part of a larger divine plan.
3. Humility in greatness
Mary’s life offers a third inspiring teaching – humility.
Despite being chosen to be the mother of Jesus, Mary remained humble and grounded.
Even when she sang the Magnificat, a song of praise to God after learning about her divine pregnancy, her focus was not on her elevated status but on God’s mercy and greatness (Luke 1:46-55).
In our society, where accomplishments are often met with self-promotion, Mary’s humility stands as a stark counterpoint.
It reminds us that true greatness lies not in self-glorification but in recognizing and acknowledging a power greater than ourselves.
This teaching encourages us to practice humility in our daily lives. It invites us to celebrate our achievements without letting them inflate our ego.
In essence, Mary teaches us that humility doesn’t diminish our greatness — instead, it enhances it. It makes us more approachable, relatable, and ultimately, more human.
4. Compassion and care
Now, let me ask you a question:
As a Christian, how many times have you thought about Mary’s role as a mother?
Here lies the fourth inspiring teaching – compassion and care.
Mary’s compassion is best demonstrated at the wedding at Cana, where she noticed the wine running out. Moved by concern for the hosts, she requested Jesus to help, leading to His first miracle (John 2:1-11).
Her act of compassion wasn’t grand or dramatic; it was simple and heartfelt. It reminds us that compassion often lies in noticing small needs around us and taking action within our capacity to help.
This teaching encourages us to cultivate a caring heart like Mary, to be sensitive to the needs of others, and to offer help when we can.
A nugget of wisdom: Compassion is not about grand gestures — it lies in small acts of kindness that can make a big difference in someone’s life.
5. Endurance in suffering
The fifth inspiring teaching from Mary is endurance in suffering.
Mary’s life was not without hardships. From the scandal surrounding her pregnancy to witnessing the crucifixion of her son, she endured immense suffering.
Yet, she remained steadfast and faithful.
Mary’s endurance is a testament to her strength and resilience. It serves as a beacon of hope for modern women facing various trials and tribulations.
From Mary’s life, we learn three key aspects of enduring suffering:
- Acceptance: Embracing the reality of the situation without denial or resistance.
- Trust: Holding onto faith in God’s divine plan.
- Perseverance: Continuing to move forward despite the pain and hardship.
Her endurance teaches us that suffering is a part of life, but it doesn’t define us.
What defines us is how we respond to it – whether we let it break us or whether we rise above it with grace, strength, and faith.
6. Unwavering faith
Without a doubt, the sixth inspiring teaching from Mary is her unwavering faith. Despite the trials and tribulations she faced, Mary never lost her faith in God’s plan.
Take, for example, the moment on Calvary.
As she stood at the foot of the cross, witnessing her son’s crucifixion, her faith didn’t falter. It’s this unshakeable faith that has made her a powerful symbol in Christianity.
We, too, can draw strength from Mary’s example. We can choose to hold onto our faith even when circumstances seem bleak and hope seems lost.
Mary’s unwavering faith teaches us that faith isn’t just about believing when it’s easy; it’s about holding on when it’s hard.
This kind of faith is not passive; it is active, resilient, and empowering. It’s a faith that sustains us through life’s darkest times and brings us closer to divine grace.
7. Quiet strength
Can you imagine the strength it took for Mary to endure watching her son being crucified?
Yet, she did.
This brings us to our final inspiring teaching from Mary – her quiet strength.
Mary’s strength wasn’t loud or boastful. It was quiet, resilient, and rooted in her faith. It was the kind of strength that enabled her to stand by her son until the very end, even in the face of unimaginable pain.
Imagine a situation where you’ve had to muster all your inner strength to face a challenging circumstance.
Wouldn’t it have been a quiet resolve that got you through?
Mary’s quiet strength teaches us that real strength isn’t about being invincible or not showing vulnerability. It’s about standing firm in our convictions, weathering the storms life throws at us, and emerging stronger on the other side.
This teaching encourages us to cultivate this quiet strength within ourselves – the kind of strength that doesn’t roar but whispers, “I can and I will.”
It’s the kind of strength that can help us face any adversity with grace and dignity.
Can we adopt Mary’s teachings in our lives?
The teachings from Mary, the mother of Jesus, offer valuable insights for modern women.
They provide a blueprint of faith, obedience, humility, compassion, endurance, unwavering faith, and quiet strength. These are not just spiritual guidelines but practical lessons that can be applied in day-to-day life.
- Reflect on these teachings and consider how they resonate with your current situation.
- Identify ways to implement them in your daily life.
The journey towards spiritual growth is personal and unique to each individual. What matters most is the willingness to learn, grow, and transform.
Mary’s teachings serve as a roadmap to guide you on this path. As you contemplate these teachings, may you find the inspiration to live a life of faith, resilience, and grace just like Mary.
What would Jesus say?
Unsure whether to move on from a failed marriage? Struggling with desire and feeling guilty for it? Wanting to live a life Jesus would be proud of?
Let Jesus tell you how to be a good Christian according to the teachings of the Bible.
We brought Jesus back to life with the help of AI. Ask your toughest life questions, and Jesus will tell you exactly what to do.
