A Time To Fight And A Time To Retreat!

There’s a time to war and a time to keep peace, a time to speak and a time to remain silent.  In other words, there is, a Time to Fight and a Time to Retreat. (Ecclesiastes 3)

I am always amazed no matter how many times I read Ecclesiastes 3, that God works everything beautiful in each season of our lives. Throughout each verse, I am intrigued how from one moment to the next in the very same verse it speaks of two CONTRASTING seasons – AND how God can work through both!  Check it out:

A Time for Everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1 For everything there is a season,

and a time for every matter under heaven:

2 a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;

3 a time to kill, and a time to heal;

a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;

a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 a time to seek, and a time to lose;

a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 a time to tear, and a time to sew;

a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace.

Growing up, I fought for everything. I believe my father raised all of his 4 daughters, I -as one of those 4, to be strong independent women who knew what they wanted in life to pursue it! My dad raised us that way, I truly believe, because he wanted to ensure whether we got married or not, would be self-sufficient, capable, strong, well-to-do type women. 

Once I gave my life to the Lord, in addition to the great qualities my dad taught me, I had to come to grips that I could not simply remain strong in MYSELF. I realized it isn’t okay to feel like I must WIN at everything, every battle, all the time! Because if I approach life in that mode, I will incessantly fall prey to live with the burden, of striving for people, striving over my circumstances, and even striving against my own trust in God’s Word - moving into strife and survival mode with doubt and worry over each circumstance that comes my way versus thriving through surrender, trust, faith, and release in the LORD and his Word when things don't go my way. \0/  

Likewise, I also found that if we as believers don’t recognize the different seasons that God allows in our lives, such as the unexpected or traumatic events (loss, death of a loved one, health challenges, etc.) it will cause us to stay stuck in a victim mentality, versus a VICTOR mentality.  And we are more susceptible to perpetually question, “Why me?” instead of “Why not me? [God's got me!]

It says in Matthew 5:45b-states.  “for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” 

As we walk out our Faith in the Word, God desires to intervene on our behalf.

However, we must move in our hearts beyond the inclination of self-reliance- when it comes to our lateral ability to fight my own battles. If not, we will at best be limited to what we laterally see as the outcome. But when we trust the Lord, the omnipotent, omniscient God of all who sees and knows everything to fight our battles, He will break us through at a level that we could never on our own could have imagined, every time, because His ways are so much higher, broader, greater, eternal than mine…

 

God’s ways include the BIG picture that He originally designed for me; for God never called me to strive in life endlessly against circumstances. But, He has called me to surrender to HIM amidst those circumstances.

I truly believe that as the Word assures that God works out everything beautifully in its time, that we can trust God even through those not so popular seasons- of death, sickness, sadness, mourning, loss and wilderness moments, during-

^2a a time to die;

^3a a time to heal;

^4a a time to weep,

^4b a time to mourn,

^6a a time to lose;

^7b a time to keep silence,

So much so that ultimately, we can recognize and appreciate even the smaller moments of breakthrough as in-  a time for peace. ^8b

Whether through the sudden passing of a loved one, like my husband and I experienced with our beautiful baby daughter over 17 years ago, or an unexpected health report, like the one I personally experienced over 14 years ago with the untimely diagnosis of cancer - in each of those moments, I had to choose to come to a place of rest and surrender in the Lord, trusting His Will and Way over striving, fighting and the desire to flight (run away from God). I also learned that though everything  may not feel good, look good, seem good, or be good, in our life, we can trust that Romans 8 - all things are working together for our good. 

If I ever lose sight of this .... may I be reminded of the struggles that will inevitably follow when I move back into self-reliance. For Jesus did not come to only save us to then leave us alone to strive in ourselves in this thing called life. He came to actively be our Deliverer, Helper, Ruler, Shelter, Comforter, Protector, Healer, Provider, Guide, Father, Lord, Savior, Friend, and the list is limitless!

And living a Christ-led life is surrendering daily to the Lord in a midst of battles, that were never mine in the 1^st place to handle in myself or own strength. I encourage you to live a life of release and peace, versus holding on to a life of control and stress. I pray you be encouraged today!

If you agree with a life of surrender and rest in the Lord, will you join me in prayer?

      Lord, thank you for a life that is God-filtered. And when our lives are filtered by your sovereign hand, I pray we as followers would be continually reminded that you are a GOOD Father, who ultimately wants the best for our lives! Lord I also pray that you would strengthen when we are tempted to take matters back in my own hands. That we would give back to you the desire to control everything. I thank you that Jesus you alone are enough and sufficient to every challenge that may come our way. I give you my life and every care and agree with any other who choose to also pray this prayer. And when tempted to give up, instead remind us Lord the of the importance of GIVING IN to you at another level - in Jesus’ name! Amen

His Heart Safely Trusts in Her.

Many a times I have read and re-read Proverbs 31 as it relates to the virtuous woman!

However, recently the phrase, in verse 11 “The heart of her husband’s heart does safely trust in her,” caught my attention in a way it had not before.

What does it really mean when, a husband’s heart safely trusts in his wife, so he has no need of spoil?

Especially, when the world’s assessment of the wife’s role can be misconstrued as a woman gone astray as seen in Genesis 3 with ‘Eve’.

Eve represented at one time or another, everything a man, should guard against in a woman.

In many regards, Eve’s disobedience, naivete’, and temptation to evil, leaves a stain in the minds of many concerning women; so much so that Eve’s reputation, all too often, still reminds people of the potential to be disloyal, gullible, seductive, and driven largely by self-interest.

I could imagine the blueprint of the untrusting wife would be one who would doubt a husband’s every decision, challenging his leadership on a daily basis, exposing her husband’s weaknesses in public, and to the public, while even nagging him privately over areas he has vulnerably opened his heart to her previously about.

Consequently, in a day and age, where husbands and wives don’t even trust each other enough to share bank accounts, or even the use of their most coveted possessions, like cars investment accounts, etc.; the virtuous woman caused even her husband to trust. He trusted that she would act discreetly, promote his best interests while absent, in such a way, that he would have no unforeseen need of worry or sense of wastefulness! In other words, he would not have to fear that he would lack or lose out in any way!

Moreover, a virtuous woman was the type of wife, a husband could invite along not just as a partner in marriage, but also a confidante, manager, steward, and nurturer of all the intimate details within the home, with full trust in her while he  was away from home,

If we as women choose to be honest, open, accountable, with how we run our households, and serve our husbands as unto the Lord; we can ultimately be the type of wives who serve so well that while we run the home, we can champion our spouse to feel like he is the king over his palace!

In other words, my husband should not have to feel the threat of betrayal, denial, or rebuttal while he entrusts to me the order of business of the home. 

Today, I choose to be that Proverbs 31 woman. How about you?

It goes on in Proverbs 31 to speak in detail about how the Proverbs 31 woman goes about her day as that virtuous woman. Would you join me today as I pray Proverbs 31 as a personal declaration?

Lord as I embrace your Word, empower me even the more to be that Proverbs 31 excellent wife who fears the Lord, where:

11- The heart of my husband can trust safely in me, and he will have no lack of gain.

12- That I will do my husband good, and not harm him, all the days of my life.

13- That I would be resourceful, diligent, and work willingly with my hands.

14- That I would be like a merchant ship; that provides food and nourishment for all those who would visit our home from near and far.

15- That I would rise while it is yet night and equip my household for daily provision.

16- That I would make wise decisions in my acquiring of things, and that I would be fruitful in what I sow through my word and actions.

17- That I would walk in the Lord’s strength and not my own.

18- That I would see the value of what is in my hands, and that I would not be weary in well-doing. 

19- That I would remain focused.

20- That I would reach out my hand to those who are less fortunate and to also to those in need of assistance. 

21- That I would not fear what storms may come my way, or over our home, because our home is covered by the Lordship of Jesus.

22 That I would dress myself daily in the richness of God’s Word by speaking it over myself and clothing myself in the confession of what God has already declared over me.

23 That my husband can safely know that his name will remain honorable as he is known in the community, and among other leaders, because of the honor I shower him with and because of the good I speak of him.

24 That I learn to be able to do much with little and benevolently share with others from my overflow. 

25 That I choose Strength and Dignity as my clothing, and consequently that I choose to have a joyful outlook over my future instead of a fearful one. 

26 That I open my mouth with wisdom, and that I teach kindness because it is the Word that I choose first to reside in my heart and in my daily confession.

27 That I am present in the moment within my household and that I do not go MIA (missing in action) to the distractions of the world or idleness.

28 That my children rise up and honestly know that we are blessed; my husband also, and that he would honestly be pleased by how I serve in the home.

29 “Many women have done excellently, and additionally Lord I choose to surrender all to you too that I also would excel today as that virtuous wife.”

30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but I choose to fear and revere you Lord for you shall be praised!

In Jesus’ Name!

Amen!