The past few months have swayed our nation back and forth. As we tackle new and existing beliefs and issues in our communities, we as believers and Proverbial women have a mandate to respond based on the word of God.
1. Information Overload Does Not Equate to Knowledge & Understanding With information at our fingertips it is easy to be overloaded with information before you even get out of bed. Running to the phone or TV first thing in the morning can present too much information (or misinformation) which becomes imprinted in your being throughout the day. Instead of running to the latest media update, start your day in prayer and devotion time. This may sound cliche but this time is what anchors the soul. This is an ever so crucial time to make sure you have quiet time with the Lord so you can clearly hear your instructions for the day. It can be hard to hear if your mind and spirit are overloaded with information before you get out of bed. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you.” Psalms 32:8-9 NKJV 2. The Word of God is and will Always be our Anchor The word of God is not solely a book to be referred to but the anchor for our very existence. As a believer, it is our instruction manual and our faith it in is what anchors our spirit and soul. As such, we should never be shaken or swayed by the world but have confidence in our faith in Christ. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” I John 5:4 “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,” Hebrews 6:19 3. Maintain a Spirit Controlled Temperament We are called to be led by the Spirit of the Lord and not be a slave to our emotions. This is not to say that emotions do not exist and are unimportant however the way we respond must align with the word of God and be controlled by the Holy Spirit. The fruits of the spirit should be the determinate and standard of our thoughts and actions. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5:22-26
4. Prayer Still Works The Lord will heal our land if we cry out and repent to him. Instead of looking first solely to people or the government, we should go to the Lord in prayer and await His wisdom. We are and have always been the answer to the world’s problems but the long lasting answers are going to come through us from God. As Dr. Howard Hatcher once stated “Let’s not expect the government to do something only God can do.”. “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—” Ephesians 6:18 “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14
5. Home is Still the First Ministry Our first ministry is home and the recent shaking of the world has shown us that at the end of the day we can all do our part at home. As such, the manner in which we respond to turbulent times matter even more so as we are training the next generation. A few things you can do to help shepherd the hearts and mind of the people around you include: A. Consistently pray with them. Reach beyond a repetitive prayer and show them how they can open their hearts, minds and emotions to God and that God is always there for them. You are their first example in this.
B. Replace secular music with praise and worship music. Their eyes and ears are the building blocks to their spirit and soul. Whether you think so or not, the lyrics they hear now imprint in their souls for a lifetime. Would you rather your child bring to their remembrance in ten years a song of worship or Beyoncé? Words are powerful. Even spoken song lyrics can be seeds that sprout to build or tear down. Choose wisely for your children. C. Turn off the screens and interact with them. Interaction opens the door for communication and expression of their hearts which can be a door to helping train their hearts.
As the world continues to shift, be reminded that the Lord has overcome the world.
Chrystal
________________________________________________________________________________________
You can purchase Chrystal's newest book, Becoming the Modern Proverbs 31 Woman: A 31-Day devotional through the Book of Proverbs!
This book is for any woman who desires:
💖 How to successfully wear the multiple hats that come along with womanhood without feeling exhausted and burned out.
💖 How to be more confident in their God given role of being a woman.
💖 How to excel spiritually, mentally, physically and financially.
💖 To demystify the Proverbs 31 woman and how she relates to the 21st century!
This book was birthed through my experience and ongoing process of being led by the Holy Spirit in becoming a Proverbs 31 woman! The book has daily application steps and faith filled questions to get any woman moving into the direction of passion and purpose!
The book is available on my website www.chrystalbernard.com and Amazon in both paperback and e-book formats!
