You might think that this article is about someone else. But let me assure you, if you are female and you can read this text, then this is talking about you. Yet, it is hard for many women to imagine that they are something special to God. Quite frankly, that is exactly what the evil one wants us to believe. But in the eyes of God, He says, “You are a fearfully and wonderfully made woman.”
You might be asking:
- What does fearfully and wonderfully made really mean?
- What Bible verse says God made me special?
- Did God make us unique?
- Are we precious to God?
We will talk about these questions and more.
What does it mean “fearfully and wonderfully made woman”?
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.” ESV
Do you believe that you are a fearfully and wonderfully made woman? These words come from Psalm 139:14 as the writer describes the work of God in making a human being. The verses before and after compare the process to weaving or knitting. For special garments or cloth, a precise pattern is followed when you weave or knit.
Since the meaning of a word changes over time and from language to language, we need to look at the Hebrew words when this text was written.
Made fearfully
In the Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary, which is part of my study Bible, it says that the word “fearfully” means respect or reverence. The same is confirmed by the Vines Expository Dictionary.
When God made you, a fearfully and wonderfully made woman, He used utmost care and concern, because He had great respect for you. He made sure that you had everything you needed to be able to do His will and be a blessing to those around you.
Made wonderfully
The Hebrew definition of “wonderful” means to make singular, or separate. I would add, unique. When we were knit or woven together, a specific pattern was followed, then thrown away once God completed the process. No two people are alike. No two women are alike. You are a fearfully and wonderfully made woman.
What Bible verses say God made you special?
Throughout Scripture, God reminds us that we are special to Him. As humans, we stand head and shoulders above all the rest of creation. Thus, God went to great lengths to redeem us back once sin entered the world. Jesus died for us. He did not die for animals, as lovely and amazing as they are. He did not die for angels, as beautiful as they are. He did not die for the sun, moon, and stars, as carefully crafted as they are in their orbits. He died for mankind, which includes you, dear fearfully and wonderfully made woman. Here are a few verses that emphasize how special you are.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” Jeremiah 1:5
“So God created man (and woman) in his own image …” Genesis 1:27 a
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10
“Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Luke 12:7
Seven ways you are a fearfully and wonderfully made woman
God followed a specific plan when He made you. People who knit or weave can purchase instructional plans at craft stores for making beautiful garments or tapestries. This makes it possible for many different people to create the same designs. In contrast, God’s patterns are individualized and never repeated. From that standpoint alone, you are a fearfully and wonderfully made woman. Here are just a few highlights.
- Your DNA is different from every other person
- You have an amazing nervous system
- Your circulatory system is awesome
- Your reproductive system carries genetic code separate from your own
- God gave you the ability to communicate with Him
- God knows you better than you know yourself
- You are the Temple of God if you know Jesus personally
Highlights of your physical makeup
“What God accomplished in creating the human body would have won Him Nobel prizes in biology, chemistry, and physics every year for eternity.” Richard A. Swenson, M.D.
* Your DNA is different from every other person
As humans, we start out as one cell, the result of an egg and a sperm. Within that one cell are the instructions for building the 200 different kinds of tissue and organ cells that we are born with. It determines the color of our eyes, whether we will be left-handed or right-handed, the size of our feet, and all the other details that make us who we are.
While most of our DNA is similar, every person has variations that are unique, even among twins.
” siblings only share about 50 percent of the same DNA, on average … So while biological siblings have the same family tree, their genetic code might be different in at least one of the areas looked at in a given test. That’s true even for fraternal twins.” National Geographic
When it comes to identical twins, the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine says that there is more to genetics than the DNA code.
“During development in the womb and after birth, our surroundings, exposures, and nutrition influence how our genes are expressed and how our bodies and minds develop.” So even identical twins have differences.
* You have an amazing nervous system
The human brain is amazingly complex. It is the command center for the entire body, second only to the DNA in each human cell. Our brain has the capability of thinking at a rate of 800 words per second. Wow. I am sure our male counterparts are glad that we can’t talk that fast!
How much information can our brains hold? According to Richard Swenson, M.D., it can hold the equivalent of 25 million books. We have amazing possibilities for learning.
Our brain also allows us to communicate. Combined with our vocal cords and ears we are able to learn and use language. Not all animals have these capabilities. I believe it is part of being created in God’s image, the ability to express feelings, gratitude, praise, and so much more.
* Your circulatory system is awesome
One small drop of blood contains five million red blood cells and seven thousand white cells. When you accidentally prick your finger, your circulatory system sounds an alarm. Muscle cells around the prick contract and work with clotting agents to stop the flow of blood. White cells come to investigate what kind of an intruder entered the body and to fight any possible infection. And you never even have to think about it. Your DNA has programmed these things to happen.
* Your reproductive system carries genetic code separate from your own
When a little girl is born, she carries within her ovaries about 2 million eggs. These eggs contain the DNA instructions for the next generation that she may give birth to at some point in her life.
Highlights of your spiritual makeup
God didn’t stop once He created your body. If He had, you wouldn’t be much different than all the other animals on planet earth. God created you with a spirit and the ability to connect with Him, be known by Him, and be indwelled by Him.
* You have the ability to communicate with God
The ability to communicate with God is probably one of the most awesome parts of being a fearfully and wonderfully made woman. It is through prayer and Bible reading that the majority of this communication takes place.
While our brain helps us communicate, it is our spirit that truly connects with God. The human spirit is something science does not completely understand. For now, it is a mystery. But then, why would we even need God if we understood all His ways?
* God knows you better than you know yourself
God knew everything about you before you were conceived or were born. He knew:
- Your name before you had one
- The very thoughts you would have
- All the words you would speak
- Everything you would do in your lifetime
- Your motives for what you would do
- How long you would live
- Where you would be at any given second in time
* You are the Temple of God
This spiritual blessing could be why God made each of us so awesome. A temple is by definition a place where God lives. Any residence for the God of the universe would have to be the best. Lovely lady, you are special to God. He made you so that He could live with you and make you complete. He loves you and wants to be a part of your life. Do you know Him personally? If not, you can call, text, or chat with someone at chataboutjesus.com. Someone is waiting there to answer your questions.
Final thoughts on being a fearfully and wonderfully made woman
Whether you feel like it or not, you are a fearfully and wonderfully made woman. Even if you don’t believe it, the evidence is undeniable. God said it and I believe it. Feelings change. God does not.
While a resident here on planet earth, we are fearfully and wonderfully made women. And when we leave this earth, we will be perfect women because we will be with our God, our creator.
A Gift for you
To help you remember that you are a fearfully and wonderfully made woman, I want to give you this Scripture card. Simply download it. No email is required. There is an original, and a muted version. Choose one or both. Enjoy!
You might also like to read:
References:
- Vines Expository Dictionary as found at Studylight.org
- Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary, part of the Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible, Spiros Zodhiates, AMG Publishers, 1990.
- More than meets the eye: facinating glimpses of God’s power and design
- The wonder within, excerp from Servant magazine, Fall 2019. (Selected and adapted from Fearfully and Wonderfully: The Marvel of Being God’s Image)
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/dna-ancestry-test-siblings-different-results-genetics-science
- http://gap.med.miami.edu/learn-about-genetics/have-questions-about-genetics/are-identical-twins-100-genetically-identical