News

I came across an article on GMA News Online titled "Living in Hell," published in May 2023 but reflecting ongoing realities. It recounts the harrowing experiences of a woman named Georgina (a pseudonym), who suffered severe physical, verbal, and psychological abuse at the hands of her husband.

Georgina's story is not unique. The article highlights her experience as "a story experienced by many women behind closed doors in the Philippines." 

Georgina recounts her husband's threats, accusations, and controlling behaviors, leading to a deep loss of "freedom, her security, and her own peace." This showed the immense psychological and emotional struggle that victims like her endure, often in isolation.

The 2017 National Demographic Health Survey (cited in the article) states that one in four Filipino women between the ages of 15 and 49 has experienced physical, emotional, or sexual violence by their husbands or partners. This statistic alone is heartbreaking, revealing a widespread struggle that many women face on a daily basis.

Even if most Christian women I know may not have experienced situations like Georgina's, all women go through different kinds of emotional, mental, or physical challenges. It may not be about domestic violence, but financial setbacks, family feuds, or any transition that could be as challenging as any burden a woman faces.

But how can women face challenges without breaking down? 

Dr. Janice Johnson Browne's presentations at the Women's Convention in Tagbilaran, Bohol, held from May 7 to 10, 2025, came to mind as I reflected on these situations.

Browne, who holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in clinical psychology, is a distinguished international speaker, renowned for sharing God's love across the United States, 33 countries, and six continents.

Flourishing in Prayer

Prayer should be at the center of every woman's life and must be intentional—focused on her family, marriage, children, dreams, and even the silent struggles that often go unspoken. 

As Dr. Browne stated, "Prayer should "be the beginning, the middle, and the end of everything we do." A woman cannot truly flourish without grounding herself in the storm-defying power of prayer.

Moreover, Ellen White, in her book "Steps to Christ," Chapter 15, p. 93, also elaborates on the importance of prayer. She emphasized that to have a spiritual life and energy, women must have actual communion with the heavenly Father. 

The chapter further stated, "Our minds may be drawn out toward Him; we may meditate upon His works, His mercies, and His blessings, but this is not, in the fullest sense, communing with Him. To commune with God, we must have something to say to Him about our actual life."

White added that "Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary to make known to God what we are, but to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him."

Flourishing in Mind, Body, and Spirit

Despite the emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges, women can look to Jesus for assurance that He, who performed miracles during His time on earth, still does miracles today. 

Just like the bent-over woman in the Bible, He can lift and heal us. This woman had been crippled by a "spirit of infirmity" for eighteen years, causing her to be bent double and unable to straighten up at all. 

Without being asked, Jesus saw her, called her over, and said, "Woman, you are set free from your infirmity." He then laid His hands on her, and immediately she stood up straight and praised God.

"With God," Browne said, "we can rise tall and be made whole."

Flourishing Amidst Crisis

Many women carry silent heartbreaks, but they must remember that God sees every struggle, knows every name, and never forgets His daughters. Even in life's darkest moments, He is present. 

"Trust the process while trusting Him more," Browne advised.

Rainbow Breath Adventure

Browne also taught women about rainbow breathing, an innovative and reflective practice—a symbolic journey through God's promising, color-coded breathing technique.

It involves the core practices of vividly visualizing the colors of the rainbow in sequence—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet—often imagining these colors filling one's body or being painted in the air. 

This visualization is paired with focused, mindful breathing, inhaling slowly and deeply and exhaling slowly and completely for each color, sometimes using specific counts to guide the breath and enhance relaxation and focus.

For every arduous struggle and fear, women should pause and take a deep breath, then remember that God does not call them fearless; He makes them brave. 

Women and Leadership Roles

A strong connection with God through prayer can help women become great leaders. Prayer helps them to be both humble and strong, which are key qualities for guiding others. 

By regularly talking to God, women can see things more clearly, make wiser choices, and feel a strong sense of what they are meant to do. This spiritual practice helps them understand and care for the people they lead better. It also makes them tough enough to handle problems and push through hard times. 

Simply put, when women have a strong prayer life, it helps them lead not just with power but also with kindness, honesty, and an assurance that God is guiding them. This prayerfulness makes them more effective and inspiring leaders.

"Women may stumble, but with God's strength, they will rise again to face life's battles and achieve victory," Browne stated. 

Today, Browne continues her mission alongside her husband in Nashville, Tennessee. Her profound spiritual insight and nurturing strength have earned her the affectionate title "The Queen of Sheba."

Written by Leah Salloman | Adventist Academy Cebu Faculty