Day 4 – What does “helper” mean?

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘎𝘰𝘥 𝘴𝘢𝘪𝘥, ‘𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘨𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮.’” 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘴 2:18

We are on a journey to understand what it truly means to be a good helper. But before we can explore being a helper to our husbands, we must first grasp the broader meaning of the word itself. A 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘦𝘳 is someone who assists or offers support. But in God’s design, it is far more than that, carrying a deeper significance.

Sadly, this verse has often been misused to oppress women, suggesting that being a helper means being beneath men or subordinate. This distortion has caused many women to resist the idea of being their husband’s helper. But God’s intention was never to diminish women. When He gave Adam a helper, He intended for Eve to be much more than just an assistant. Eve was created to be the one in the “al𝘰𝘯𝘦”. An equal, a companion, a friend, and a partner who motivates, uplifts, and keeps the right direction.

It’s important to clarify that we are not the head of the household nor the decision-makers. No. That role is allocated to your husband by God. Our role as helpers is to support, uphold, and reinforce the decisions made by our husbands, respecting their leadership while standing beside them in partnership.

Pray:  Father, help me to see clearly what You mean by “helper.” Remove false ideas that make me feel less than, and teach me to embrace this calling with joy. Amen. ©

Marie Swanepoel