April 18
Victoria’s Struggle
for Dignity
“There is no Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. That’s because you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Galatians 3:28, NIrV
Victoria walked into the boardroom, clutching her notebook tightly. She had prepared thoroughly for the meeting, eager to present her ideas. But as the room filled, the banter from her male colleagues became grating.
“Victoria, while you’re here, how about you make us some tea?” one of them joked.
The laughter stung more than she let on. She forced a smile and ignored the remark, but the subtle dismissals kept coming. When it was her turn to speak, another colleague interrupted her halfway through, suggesting an idea strikingly similar to the one she had just proposed. The room acknowledged him with nods and approval, leaving her contributions overlooked.
By the end of the meeting, Victoria felt invisible. As she returned to her desk, frustration and sadness overwhelmed her. “Why is it so hard to be taken seriously?” she thought. She had worked just as hard as anyone else in that room—perhaps harder—yet it seemed her gender was always the first thing people noticed.
Late that evening, alone in her quiet apartment, Victoria opened her Bible, searching for comfort. Her eyes fell on Galatians 3:28: “There is no Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female. That’s because you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
The words stopped her in her tracks. She read them again, slowly. Victoria realized that while the world around her seemed to measure her worth by her gender, God did not. To Him, she was a valued and equal part of His creation, deeply loved and capable of making a difference.
Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered, “Lord, help me to see myself through Your eyes. Teach me to stand firm in who I am in You, and to show love and grace, even when it’s hard.”
The next day, Victoria returned to work with a renewed sense of purpose. When the usual comments came, she calmly responded, “I’m happy to share my ideas for the project instead.” She didn’t let their dismissiveness define her. Gradually, her quiet confidence began to shift the atmosphere.
Victoria also started reaching out to other women at work, sharing her struggles and offering encouragement. Together, they found strength in their shared experiences and began to advocate for one another. Victoria realized that reflecting God’s love meant not only valuing herself as He did but also uplifting others who might be feeling the same pain.
In her faith, she discovered the courage to face sexism with grace, and in God’s truth, she found the assurance of her worth.
Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Thank You for creating us all in Your image and valuing us equally, no matter our gender, status, or background.
Forgive us for the times we allow others’ judgments to overshadow Your truth about who we are.
Give us the strength to stand firm in the face of injustice, like Victoria.
Help us to respond with grace, confidence, and love.
When we feel unseen or undervalued, remind us that You see us and that our worth comes from You alone.
Teach us to encourage and uplift others who may be struggling, reflecting Your heart in all we do.
Thank You for making us one in Christ Jesus.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
