Hello wonderful ladies, my name is Rocio and I am a leader in our women’s ministry FAME! I have been loving our summer series where we have been learning from women of the Old Testament!

The woman I will be sharing about is Leah. Leah was Jacob’s first wife, who was deceptively given to him by her father. Leah’s husband did not love her at the beginning of her marriage but as Leah let’s God’s love transform her I can’t help but wonder if she became a woman her husband was unable to resist. 

Through these passages we are able to observe the change that took place in Leah as she let the love of God heal her from rejection:

31. When the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, he enabled her to have children, but Rachel could not conceive. 32. So Leah became pregnant and gave birth to son. She named him Reuben for she said, “The Lord has noticed my misery, and now my husband will love me.” 33. She soon became pregnant again and gave birth to another son. She named him Simeon, for she said, The Lord heard that I was unloved and has given me another son.” 34. Then she became pregnant a third time and gave birth to another son. He was named Levi for she said, “Surely this time my husband will feel affection for me, since I have given him three sons!” 35. Once again Leah became pregnant and gave birth to another son. She named him Judah, for she said, “Now I will praise the Lord!” And then she stopped having children. Genesis 29:31-35

This passage gives us insight into Leah’s heart, it shows us that Leah was very bitter! So bitter in fact, that although the Lord kept blessing Leah with children (“the Lord saw that Leah was unloved, he enabled her to have children”) The pain of rejection was preventing Leah from enjoying God’s blessing on her life. 

 Leah’s story reminds me of a period of my life where I had to overcome rejection. Four years ago I went through a very painful divorce. Although pain during a divorce is expected, I found myself letting the pain turn into bitterness. I am so thankful for my amazing friend Pastor Tami who asked to meet with me during this time. She told me, “I know you are in a lot of pain and I am so sorry you are going through this horrible time but you are letting your pain turn into bitterness and I see it affecting every area of your life.” She challenged me to go to counseling, forgive, work on my physical health, and let the word of God heal me from the pain of rejection.  Her words challenged me, but I decided to obey her wise counsel because the alternative was to let the bitterness continue to make me miserable! Two years later I found myself healed and whole, and a year after that I received a miracle when I met and married a wonderful godly man!

Like Leah, becoming aware of God’s amazing love towards me allowed me to heal, stop being bitter, and enjoy  God’s blessings in my life! At the end of this passage we see a woman transformed by God’s love as she exclaims, “Now I will praise the Lord!”

I am so grateful for the women of fame who have never been afraid to challenge me to grow and have taught me that the word of God has the power to transform us and lead us into a blessed life!

What part of Leah’s story speaks to you? Is there an area of your life where you feel rejection and need God to heal you? I promise you won’t regret dedicating a season of your life to letting the love of God transform and heal you!