CT Women – 9-17-24

September 16, 2024

View in Browser

CT Women

The Love of a Non-anxious God

Nine-year-old Lindsay Holifield sat in the fourth row at church. Squirming and restless in the stiff wooden pew, the preacher’s words fell harshly onto her ears. 

“Look,” he said to the congregation, “if you have an issue with my message, then you have an issue with God himself. I am merely relaying his words.”

Holifield spent most of her childhood in fundamentalist circles that communicated similar messages in similar tones. As a result, she figured that God was angry, or, at best, perpetually shaking his head at her. As a young woman, Holifield sought a better way inside a more progressive faith community. Eventually, she deconstructed altogether and converted to Reform Judaism. 

After three years, a conversation with a Christian friend who Holifield fondly describes as “non-anxious” became the turning point for Holifield to find hope in the gospel.

“My story screams of God’s long-game redemptive work that was out of sight for so long,” she wrote recently at CT. May we ask God for the grace to believe that he is moving and working for our good always—not shaming us with scornful words nor leaving us to find our way alone. And may we allow him to draw us near with his non-anxious love.


Podcast of the week

Science should be a quest to discover truth. Christian faith means following the one who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. This pair of facts defines the life…

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

This holiday season, we invite you to share comfort, quiet, or excitement with each person on your gift list. From beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels and picture books,…


More from Christianity today


in the magazine

The secret is out: We’ve updated our look with a nod to our legacy and refreshed our content—while keeping longtime favorites like testimonies and books coverage. In this issue, we look to the past for wisdom to address a fractured evangelicalism in the present and future, with editor in chief Russell Moore issuing a call for moral clarity. Read an in-depth report on a consequential evangelical voting bloc; sit with an honest reflection on struggling to find community; and, as same-sex sexuality divides the church, be equipped and encouraged to stand on biblical fidelity. New features include an advice column (featuring Beth Moore), some curated podcast gold, and a brand-new pastoral column. We’re glad you’re here with us and look forward to seeking the kingdom together in this new era at Christianity Today.


related newsletters

CT DAILY BRIEFING: Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily

CHRISTIANITY TODAY WEEKLY: Christianity Today Weekly: CTWeekly delivers the best content from ChristianityToday.com to your inbox each week.

CT women

CT’s weekly newsletter highlighting the voices of women writers. We report on news and give our opinion on topics such as church, family, sexuality, discipleship, pop culture, and more!

Delivered free via email to subscribers weekly. Sign up for this newsletter.

You are currently subscribed as no email found. Sign up to more newsletters like this. Manage your email preferences  or unsubscribe.

Christianity Today is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
“Christianity Today” and “CT” are the registered trademarks of Christianity Today International.

Copyright ©2024 Christianity Today, PO Box 788, Wheaton, IL 60187-0788 
All rights reserved.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube