Category: HOW TO WALK WITH GOD

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Tired of drama in your friendships? 4 ways to change it!

There’s nothing in the world like the fun & support of a great group of gal pals!! We women know how love our friends fiercely! Yet, we know that when God gives a gift (like female friendship!) the enemy tries to take it.

The enemy’s will for you is always the same: Distract, Discourage, & Divide. The enemy uses these strategies because they work! He DOES NOT want you to have good & deep friendships. He loves it when God’s people battle!

What’s our strategy when conflict arises or feelings are hurt?

 1. STEP BACK! We all like to think we know what the other person is thinking.  We don’t. Choose to believe the best about your friend

2. In every conflict, LOOK WITHIN first. Ask yourself,”Did I hurt this friend unknowingly?”

3. Choose NOT to be offended! Pride blocks peace! Go low.

3. ASK GOD to pull out any root of bitterness you carry toward a friend(s). Stop rehearsing hurtful things said to you. You CHOOSE freedom!

4. LEARN HOW to fight jealousy. It will always be part of our flesh. When you smell the odor of jealousy creeping up, say to yourself, “God has a great plan for me-He made me gifted & beautiful. I don’t want anyone else’s life-I want mine!” Does this help today? Know that God wants to bless you with rich female friendships centered on Himself! He wants your relationships to radiate the peace of Jesus-based sacrificial love to a lonely world. 

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Man Down

Can you imagine what the world would be like if Christians chose to pursue servant status rather than celebrity status? If we lived this way, the world would come to the church and say, “Why are you like this? Who changed you? Can we know this love?” I’ve been thinking on this for quite a while and have come to the conclusion that it is extremely hard (read: impossible!) to turn away from the flesh and its desire for glory.  It seems that the chief cultural issue that facing our generation is the same one that started at the tower of Babel. “We will make a name for ourselves!” (Genesis 11:1-9) Human nature always gravitates toward glorifying itself rather than God. This could be why we love celebrities-they are tangible objects of worship. What are we to do? How can we “humble ourselves before the LORD”?

  1. We acknowledge that the fact that our nature (by nature!) wants to be above or be equal to God. Something beautiful and deep happens when we see this in ourselves.  Take-away? We just admit it to the One who knows us better than we know ourselves.
  2. Ask God to show (this is tough!!) you where you crave attention, importance, and value. All of us have different gifts and personalities yet all of us have blind spots. It’s ugly-be ready to see this weed in the garden of your heart. He will help because He wants to do something new in you. Do you want Him to?
  3. Read Scriptures that portray Jesus as servant. The majority of Christians try to emulate Jesus without Jesus. You cannot push your flesh into the mold of obedience. If we do and deceive ourselves that we are “servants”, we unconsciously steal glory from God.
  4. Take a step of faith by believing His word. Recently, I was reading James 4:10 (and contemplating the fact that I CAN’T change myself!), I noticed that James says “Humble yourselves before the Lord …”. As usual, I told the Lord “That’s too hard , Lord. I can’t and I’ll never know how to do this!” Suddenly, a thought drifted past .”If I say humble yourself, its because you CAN through me. I don’t ever give you a command without the promise of power!” Bottom line? This is do-able and available!
  5. What are steps to “humbling yourself”? In human interactions, ask God to remind you to take the lowest place. In moments of self-absorption, ask Him to give you His strength to reject the idolatry of self. He will give this because it’s HIS will that you love Him first.  IMG_3358
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How to get out of a spiritual desert

Encourage yourself in this dry place. REMIND yourself of His love & goodness! Here’s how:
1. Be in the Word all the time. God’s word is still active & meant to be your favorite food.
2. Pray honestly. Tell Him what He already knows. You need Him to need Him!
3. Be around people you want to be like. Who do you hang with? Do you leave encouraged to go deep with Jesus or like you’ve been to a “Fuss Fest”? Sadly, some godly folks seem to thrive on complaining. Find thankful women to be around-it’ll rub off on you!
4. Speak truth to yourself! Replace lies with Scripture (Try Colossians 1-2!) Actively train yourself: the enemy tries to speak first person to you (“I’m not godly enough!”) when your faith makes him nervous! Speak the Name of Jesus.
5. Read old journals -remember when you fell for Jesus? He was your everything. Go back to this place: you don’t need to whip up some legalism to solve your intimacy problem with Christ! Realize you need Him to need Him. Ask for a fresh heart to remember your First Love!