Let’s be real. Sometimes reading about the women of the Bible can feel a little intimidating. Like… “Oh cool, you saved a nation, or birthed the literal Savior of the world.” Meanwhile, I’m just trying to figure out how to respond to 66 unread messages on my phone.

But the more I read their stories, the more I realize: they were so much like us. Real women with real emotions, real doubts, and really full plates.

God didn’t use men and women in these stories to make us feel bad about ourselves. He used real, messy people to show us that we are called and truly just like them. Here are five times women in the Bible were surprisingly relatable…

1. Martha Was Stressed About Her To-Do List

You knew this one was coming. If you’ve ever cleaned your whole apartment in a panic because people were coming over, or even just stress-cleaned because you felt behind on life, Martha gets you.

Martha was literally hosting Jesus, but instead of sitting and soaking up the moment, she was worried about the menu, the mess, and why her sister wasn’t helping. She actually tells Jesus to make Mary get up and help her.

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed or indeed only one.” | Luke 10:41–42

I mean… how many of us are so worried about doing things for God that we forget to just be with Him? 🙋‍♀️

2. Eve Didn’t Know What to Eat

This one’s a bit of a stretch. But Eve was the first person in history to stare at food and think, “Should I eat this or not?” And while her food choice had much bigger consequences than our late-night fridge raids, the indecision is still painfully relatable.

“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye… she took some and ate it.” | Genesis 3:6

We’ve all been there: tempted by what looks good in the moment but ends up leaving us empty. Eve’s story reminds us how important it is to pause and seek wisdom before acting on impulse. (And maybe also not to go grocery shopping on an empty stomach.)

3. Sarah Laughed at God’s Timing

God told Sarah, at 90 years old that she was going to have a baby. Her reaction? She laughed. Honestly, same.

“So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, ‘After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?’” – Genesis 18:12

Waiting on God’s promises can feel like forever. And sometimes His timeline makes zero sense. But even in our doubts and laughter, God remains faithful, and Sarah did end up having a son named Isaac, which literally means “laughter.” You’ve got to admit the Lord does have a sense of humor.

4. Mary Ran to Tell Her Bestie About the News

The moment the angel told Mary she’d be carrying the Son of God, what did she do? She booked it to Elizabeth’s house. Because when something wild happens, your first instinct is to go talk it out with someone who gets it.

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea…” | Luke 1:39

Elizabeth affirmed and encouraged her, and they shared a powerful moment of joy. It’s such a beautiful picture of sisterhood and spiritual support. A reminder that we don’t have to carry big news or big emotions alone.

5. The Woman at the Well Thought She Wasn’t Good Enough

She showed up at the well in the middle of the day to avoid people. She didn’t feel worthy. But Jesus met her there anyway.

“The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’” | John 4:9

Jesus didn’t flinch at her story. He saw her, knew her, and offered her living water. If you’ve ever felt disqualified, messy, or too far gone, this woman’s story reminds us that Jesus chooses us, even on the days we’re hiding.

What I love about the women in Scripture isn’t just their faith, it’s when their faith is lacking. They worried, laughed, questioned, felt awkward, doubted themselves… and still God chose them, used them, loved them.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, underqualified, or just kind of all over the place lately? You’re not alone. God’s been working through messy, beautiful women like you and me from the very beginning. He sees you.

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