Article By Teresa Mack // EEW Magazine // Social Media

Looking for something encouraging and thought-provoking to read on Instagram? Here are some great choices for you.

These days, there is lots of negative noise and distractions on social media. It can be tough to wade through the gossip, dram and hostility, and get to the good stuff.

Well, Empowering Everyday Women is taking some of the guesswork out of what to read and online—at least Instagram—by highlighting five posts you need to read.

Our editors have each submitted their picks (our Founder, Dianna Hobbs, who just joined Instagram made the list, too) based on what inspires, uplifts and makes them think.

Check out these five encouraging Instagram posts below and if you aren’t already following these Christian leaders, you might want to consider doing so. After all, we can all use a bit more biblically-sound encouragement in our social media fees.

Aventer Gray (@grayceme)

When God wakes you up and you have another opportunity to try to approach your purpose and build upon the Kingdom of God, to try to ask forgiveness when you have hurt someone, even if it’s inadvertently or unintentional and even if they don’t accept it, to try to find peace amidst pandemonium and chaotic circumstances, to try to be the best example for your children, to try to receive the love that God says you deserve no matter how much you feel unworthy of it... just wake up and try and you’ve one.

Dianna Hobbs (@iamdiannahobbs)

This morning, I was thinking about some of the hardest seasons of my life: health battles; baggage from being sexually molested at six years old; terrible anxiety and emotional struggles resulting from that trauma; and many other issues. Though I have gone through deep valleys and intense hardships, still, God found ways to show me favor. In the wilderness, He preserved me. When I was sick unto death, He comforted me. He cared for me. He helped me. He strengthened me. He held me closely when I was devastated and confused, and feeling alone in my fiery trial.

When the pain was so intense I thought I wouldn’t survive it; when the tears came so fast I couldn’t catch them; when the issues mounted so high I couldn’t see over them; when the blanket of darkness was so thick morning seemed like it would never come; when problems arose so consistently that it seemed like I’d never catch my breath or a break… God was there.

He is there in your valley, too. And He is favoring you right now.

I don’t know what you might be going through today or how rough it is. But one thing I know without a doubt is that God is faithful and good, even in the wilderness. He is building character in you through this challenge and nurturing you. Not only is He with you and favoring you in the wilderness, but God, your healer, sustainer, provider, way-maker, and lover of your soul, has an amazing plan to bring you out with an awesome testimony.

How do I know that for sure?

Because He did it for me and I am confident that He will do the same for you. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:2 NIV)

Kierra Sheard (@KierraSheard)

Stop playing victim to those who did [not do] you right. What could I have done better? Admit what you did and said from time to time [and] that you weren’t an angel. Admit to that part. None of us are perfect and there is someone in this world who has given you more than you gave them.

So, let’s be real and not turn things into “no more this or no more that”. Yes, stand up for yourself but remember you owe somebody money too. Tell the WHOLE story, and not just pieces to make you seem like you were abused. Someone gave you an advance for your car, have been simply generous “enough” to you too, etc. Someone made sacrifices for you also. Once upon a time you fell short. You weren’t 100 all of the time. Did you ever tell a white lie?

Self-evaluations are necessary, and to be honest with yourself is healthy. The cool thing is no matter how mad we are with each other, God will always keep the ball rolling. Though I may have His favor, He’s not going to stop you from having it too. So, we might as well be adult enough to acknowledge our truths, forgive, and move on.

(Doing some self-checks of myself and not just the other person.) Lord complete your work in me and help me to be able to #Read myself before I #Read other people.

T.D. Jakes (@bishopjakes)

Good Morning! “Jesus died for your freedom.” There will never be freedom without sacrifice. Something must be shed before we can gain independence. For us, that something was Jesus Christ. He paid the ultimate sacrifice, nailing our sins to the cross in exchange for our freedom. Jesus became the doorway to enter and receive salvation (John 10:9). God’s divine plan is for us to understand that we cannot come to Him without Jesus Christ. His blood shed on the cross is the cornerstone of Christianity. This selfless act proves that He loves us. Jesus is the Lamb of God. He stood in the gap for our sins so that we would have eternal life. We owe it to God to walk in the freedom that He has given us through His son.

Mandisa (@mandisaofficial)

Janine Jones and I are headed to the Philippines!

We’re going with “Food for the Hungry” in preparation for our “Girls Night Live Tour” this fall. I feel like God has been showing me the connection between women recognizing our identities in Christ and how that affects people all over the world...including the Philippines where trafficking is so prevalent. I want to see first-hand the impact this has on communities.

I don’t really have a lot of specifics for what we will do there. I know we will visit schools and communities, and that we’ll film our trip to share with the ladies who attend the tour. Ultimately, my prayer for this trip is for God to break my heart for what breaks His. We appreciate your prayers!

Got some suggestions of your own? EEW would love to hear about them. Email feedback@eewmagazine.com.