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Cultivating Christian Community
No one was meant to live alone on an island. We all need a community– not just a group of people to belong to, but the sense that we belong. In a community…
No one was meant to live alone on an island. We all need a community– not just a group of people to belong to, but the sense that we belong. In a community, we have commonalities, similar thought processes, and interests. Or quite honestly, we have many differences, but the bond of love that is created still enables us to function as a whole and enjoy each other’s company.
The people who get you. Those who understand your point of view, even if they don’t agree with you 100% of the time. Those who are aware of your quirks and love you anyway. Those who hold your hand, either when you’re crying, or to pull you along to go grab some coffee.
The ones you can tell your deepest fears, heartaches, joys, and dreams. They rejoice in the Lord with you and hold you accountable when you falter.
Can you picture a few faces in your head? I bet you can.
What is Christian Community?
The community we are talking about today isn’t the hub or town where you live. I’m referring to that sense of community for which our souls long: Christian community.
The definition of community is a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.
As believers– no matter our backgrounds, ethnicities, or favorite movie genres– we can come alongside one another and seamlessly bond together. No matter how great our differences, we have one commonality that is greater than the sum of them:
The Holy Spirit.
“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. ”
The Spirit lives within us. And sister, He yields a unity between us like no other. This unity is the feeling you get when you meet a random stranger who you learn is a believer, and within several minutes of chatting, you feel like you’ve known her for years.
The Spirit provides the atmosphere for a Christian community to flourish because God is over all and through all and in all.
How to Build Christian Community
Once we focus on the fact that the Spirit is already working in us, through us, and creating that perfect unity, understanding how to build a Christian community seems a little less daunting.
Here’s what I mean.
Let me encourage you with a few things I’ve seen in my own life that have been beneficial in building a community:
Live a Godly lifestyle.
It starts with seeking the Lord and pursuing righteousness. You make time for God, grow in your walk, and live out the Word. You live for the glory of God alone.
Fellowship regularly.
Don’t hide, sister! You can’t build Christian community if no one ever sees you. You may feel more comfortable being alone, but again, the Lord desires that you fellowship with others, build each other up (Romans 14:9), and bless one another (Acts 4:32). Go to church. Serve. Attend Bible study and special events. Go to that girl’s night out. Get to know each other!
Create Godly friendships.
A Godly friendship begins when you first seek the Lord and live a godly lifestyle. Then, you link up with others who do the same. When Christ is at the center of a relationship, amazing things happen. He gives you a heart that is loyal to one another and seeks to bring Him glory in your association.
Be the person who connects people.
Once you get to know others, be the person who is mindful of ways you can connect friend to friend. Do you have two friends with kids who are similar ages? Friends who are both in the thick of potty training toddlers? Or, maybe they’re both avid runners? Introduce them. Be the person who aids in the igniting of the spark of new friendships.
Just relax.
All of the above can sound like a little much, right (especially if you tend to be introverted!)? Starting and growing new relationships can be a lot of work; well worth it, but it takes time, effort, and patience.
But God. That other person is His creation just like you are. He desires for her to walk worthy of her calling, use her spiritual gifts for His glory, and to fellowship with other believers.
These are the things He desires for you too. So if this is true, then understand that He will orchestrate the many facets of partaking in Christian community and guide you in every step. With the Lord as your guide, you won’t have to strive to make things happen on your own.
Unity in Christian Community
So, we’ve talked about how to build Christian community, or in other words, how to establish it. But, once you have an established community, how do you create a sense of community in the group? What components make for that rich fellowship that manifests itself within the group?
Let’s look to Philippians 2.
“So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord, and of one mind.”
These verses speak of unity. If Christ is at the center of your group, then, and only then, can there be a bond of unity through Him.
The Apostle Paul says that when we operate as a community in Christ, we have the ability to be of the same mind, acting in Christ’s love, and unified under the same banner.
Why? Because we are unified through Christ– not our likes, dislikes, and commonalities. Through Christ.
In Him, we have encouragement, comfort in His love, fellowship in the Spirit, and the ability to show affection and mercy. The Spirit works through us and in our midst to bring about that deep sense of relational community between us.
And it goes on,
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Therefore, as we fellowship in the Spirit and He directs the bonds we are creating, He helps us see each other through His eyes. But more importantly, He allows us to see ourselves through His eyes. And in doing so, we are led to look out for the welfare of others.
In creating a God-honoring community, we are not selfish.
We don’t seek friendships only for personal gain.
We remain humble.
We look into and out for the interests of others.
Sister, the process of moving from how to build Christian community, to establishing and creating a sense of community is one of first seeking the Lord so you can learn to be a godly friend. From there, as you allow the Spirit to work in you and within your community, He gives you the heart attitude necessary to create a culture of humility and selflessness, operating in one mind to glorify Him.
Are You Growing or Dying?
Creating Christian community is a process, friend. First, you build it (as led by the Lord); then, you establish a sense of community within the group. Thankfully we have the Lord to help us along the way!
But, don’t tune out yet. We have one more piece of the puzzle.
There is a saying that speaks to the idea that nothing ever “stays the same” (except the Lord, of course! He never changes). Everything is either growing or dying.
Meaning, that our default mode isn’t one where we remain constant, smooth sailing on cruise control. Despite what many think, we can’t become grounded in our faith, and then just let it go, expecting it to maintain itself.
No— we are either growing in the Lord or our faith flame is flickering out.
There needs to be a consistent effort on our part to seek the Lord and be diligent to grow in Him. He’s always there, but we decide to come to Him.
Stagnation equals death— in our relationships, our spiritual growth, and within our community.
So, creating Christian community isn’t enough. From there, we must make efforts to cultivate it.
Walking out God’s Word is one of the most surefire ways to let your light shine, encourage others, and serve those in your midst. All of these things go hand in hand with creating community. Study Romans 12 and meditate on the ways God’s Word instructs us to live in a way that brings God glory. Fill out the form below to download your free guide!
Cultivating Your Christian Community
The definition of cultivate is to foster the growth of something. One of the most beautiful models we have for this is seen within the first church:
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. ”
There is something that sounds so delightful about that, isn’t there? I truly believe that this is such a good model in which our churches can still operate today.
But sister, not just our churches— our small groups, our pockets of ministry, and the community we’re building among friends.
Being devoted to studying the Word.
Being devoted to fellowship and prayer with one another.
Being together as believers.
Having all things in common— the unity that only Christ provides.
Committing to being present with others, in church and through the hospitality we show within our homes.
Having a grateful attitude— counting it a blessing to receive, as well as to give generously to our sisters.
Because the fact of the matter is, we ARE the Church. Therefore, this isn’t only a good model for our churches. It’s also a good model for us as individuals; an example we can follow as we’re cultivating community with our friendships.
Sister, this is how we cultivate Christian community: Being mindful of the Lord’s will for our community, we allow Him to light the flame, and then, with His direction, we fan it these ways.
Not only do these components draw us closer to the Lord and each other, but they also yield blessings:
Unification. Needs are filled. We have favor with people. Our community grows as the Lord directs it to grow.
When we create community and step aside and let the Lord cultivate it and foster its growth, it will flourish beyond what we can imagine.
What is Christian Community Without the Lord?
Nothing. No matter what you do, how many steps you take, or all of the effort you make in building friendships, you’ll never know how to build community if you don’t put Christ at the center. All of your efforts will be in vain.
But here’s what I know, sister. You are loved and cherished by God. He wants your life to bring Him glory as you walk out His purposes for you. He wants you to play your part in strengthening other believers because you are valuable and He’s given you spiritual gifts to use.
You were created on purpose. There is no one like you. This means that no one can have another friend exactly like you. If you stay in the dark, hide, and dodge building friendships and community, there will be sisters missing out on something influential, special, and unique in their lives:
The relationship they can have with you.
Sister, allow the Lord to use you as He sees fit in the lives of others. Trust Him as He guides and directs your steps in building Christian community for His glory.
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6 Biblical Ways to Cope with Distress
Life events, trauma, and stress produce real emotions that we have. Anything we face that causes us to cope with an unwanted reality can cause distress. So what can we do about it?
Whether you’re reading this article at the time it was written or years later, it is safe to say there is a lot going on in the world that can cause anxiety. Unpleasantness. Fear. Uneasiness. Confusion. Sadness.
Distress.
It’s not my intention to label you with these emotions or make you bear the weight of them if you don’t identify with one (or more) currently. The fact of the matter is we know in this world we will face tribulations (John 16:33), and we should not think it is strange (1 Peter 4:12) to encounter trials. What should be “strange,” or foreign to our character, is camping in the midst of our troubles. We can’t control how long we go through trials, but sitting in the midst of them in distress is not what the Lord tells us to do. There is no hope in distress. The only hope exists in our Lord, and in Him is where our focus should be.
Like so many other things in life and in our Christian walk, keeping our eyes on the Lord during hard times is easier said than done. Thankfully, we can go to His Word for guidance in how to do so. But first, let’s take a quick look at distress so we know how to identify this unwelcome guest when it determines to take over our minds.
What is distress?
Distress can be defined as a negative type of… you guessed it… stress, which causes feelings of worry, anxiety, sadness, and fear. No one is immune to distress; adults and children alike will go through periods of distress in their lifetime.
Many times, when you’re dealing with distress, you can begin to act out of character. Your normal, pleasant demeanor may become temporarily marred with sadness; there’s a little less pep in your step; perhaps you’re easily angered; or you lack the motivation you typically have because everything feels overwhelming. Have you been there before? I know I have.
What causes stress or distress?
Life events, trauma, and stress produce these real emotions that we have. Anything we face that causes us to cope with an unwanted reality can cause distress: a job loss, financial changes, a medical diagnosis, a traumatic event, loss of a loved one, or a big move. I’m sure each of us could come up with a list of things we’ve faced in our lifetimes that have caused distress. Even huge life changes that bring joy such as marriage, a new baby, or going on a missions trip can at times cause levels of distress. As exciting as these important events are, they contain so many moving pieces and can become simply overwhelming. Some may call this type of stress “eustress” instead of distress, since it’s related to more of a positive type of stressor. I think that even within these joyful, yet trying times, if we are not mindful we can easily fall into a level of being overwhelmed leading to anxiety and fear. While we can acknowledge and be aware of the negative emotions when they surface, the trick is to not succumb to them and camp out there. The goal is to cast those negative emotions to the Lord and refocus our eyes on Him because let’s face it— we will always move in the direction of our gaze.
So how do we refocus?
Grab your Bible and dive into Psalm 118 with me. It’ll be helpful to read through it in its entirety right now, before going through the rest of this post.
Seriously, go get your Bible! I’ll wait.
What to do when you’re distressed
Figuring out how to cope with stress can seem daunting; however, the Psalmist shares some beautiful truths about the Lord in Psalm 118. We also see vulnerability and a dependence on the Lord as he faces trials. This is where our hearts should land as well— focusing on His truths as we depend on the Lord in all things. If you’re like so many, and you’re wondering what to do when you’re feeling distressed, Psalm 118 sheds light on a few things.
1- Acknowledge His Character
Read: verses 1-4
Our daily tasks, our responsibilities, our stress level, our emotions, our circumstances— what is the common denominator? They all change. They may stay the same for a time, but eventually they will change. We’ll have new thoughts and emotions or we’ll find ourselves in new circumstances. The events and happenings of our lives are not constant, but the Lord is. He is eternally the same — steady, immutable, and reliable.
“Let those who fear the LORD say,
“His steadfast love endures forever.” ”
When a dancer, such as a ballerina, is doing pirouettes, she fixes her eyes on a certain spot while turning her body. When it’s time to turn her head, she’ll do so quickly in order to once again set her sight on the object she is spotting. This practice of spotting helps to prevent dizziness and leads to smooth, balanced turns.
What are we spotting? Or, more accurately, who are we spotting? When we are going through the turns and chaos of life, is our orientation regularly being fixed on our unchanging God? Or are we constantly changing our gaze and focusing in whatever direction seems helpful at the moment?
Psalm 118 tells us the Lord is good and His steadfast love endures forever. These are constant— His mercy, goodness, kindness, and faithfulness are always there. When we remember this and acknowledge who He is, that His perfect character is 100% true 100% of the time, we are more likely to stay steady as we go through the turns of life.
2- Call out to the Lord
Read: verse 5
Fixing our eyes on the Lord during times of distress is what keeps us grounded. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this, but distress can consume us if we let it. We can easily become so focused on our struggles that we forget the character of God. Then, we tend to view our circumstances from a disoriented perspective, and therefore make decisions and behave in ways that perhaps hinder more than help.
“From my distress I called upon the LORD; the LORD answered me and put me in an open space.”
Verse five, however, invites us to a different reality. Like the psalmist, we are to call out to the Lord in our distress. Go to Him in prayer. Seek Him; wait on Him. He has all the answers and knows the end from the beginning. We have the ability to surrender all to Him.
Here, the psalmist proclaims when he called out to the Lord, the Lord answered and, as the NASB says, “put me in an open space”. Other translations use the phrase, “set me free”. The idea of being set free from the strongholds of our troubles, worries and pain in the midst of our distress undoubtedly makes sense to you; I know it does to me. However, the concept of “open space” is one I wanted to contemplate.
At first thought, I realized open space implied a sense of liberty or freedom, as in being set free. But to offer more clarification, let me share that the Hebrew word used for “distress” in this verse means straits, troubles, pains, or narrow place.
Narrow place—- a place where we can feel stuck. There isn’t much wiggle room. We can barely move. We often don’t have a wide variety of ways to maneuver. We have limited freedom, if you will.
Recently our family vacationed at an indoor waterpark. Our kids were so excited about the plethora of water slides, big and small. I was happy to venture down most of the slides along with them, except the fully enclosed tubes. Being mildly claustrophobic, the thought of sitting in a completely enclosed, narrow tube (that is, a narrow place) did not sit well with me. Small spaces where it feels as if the walls are closing in, even for but a few seconds… no thank you. I had to explain to my kids that I was only game for the open slides; the ones where I could see my surroundings with a clear view of where I was heading as I ventured downward to the water.
Narrow spaces, whether literal or figurative, can cause a sense of entrapment and panic. If we aren’t careful, we can start to believe that we can’t see God or He can’t see or hear us, and that we can’t escape.
But God... When we call out to Him in the midst of that narrow place, He hears us, answers us, and sets us in an open space— one where we are free from those strongholds and our perspective is greater.
focus on Him during your times of distress
Sister, let’s not camp out in the land of distress. Instead of wondering how to cope with stress, we can realize that the Lord has all the answers! He is all we need.
Download your FREE 5-day Devotional Study and spend time at His feet, focusing on His goodness, faithfulness, and provision. Fill out the form below.
3- Hold your position
Read: verses 6-13
What better help exists than that of the Lord? Our opposition, whether physical, mental, or emotional, cannot stand against the Lord, which is why it’s important to let Him fight our battles. He comes alongside us as our helper and gives us the victory.
“The LORD is on my side as my helper;
I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.”
Verse six, in the ESV, says “the Lord is on my side”. If this is our position, knowing He has the power to set us free from the narrowing limitations that constrict us, why would we dare to step out of line? No, we must hold our position. We must throw water on the flames of fear. We must willfully trust and believe that our position is in the refuge and safety of the Lord. Even if we still feel surrounded by chaos and calamity, we are safe in Him.
We trust in no other name but Jesus. We relinquish the thought of relying on our own devices and power. Instead, we move solely in the name of the Lord and witness His powerful work in our circumstances.
4- Worship
Read: verses 14-18
Whether we are standing in the narrow strait or in the open space, it makes no difference. With the Lord on our side, fighting for us, we have reason to worship.
“The LORD is my strength and my song;
He has become my salvation.”
Even in the midst of our struggles, we can worship the God whose steadfast love endures forever. In fact, I’ve experienced that worship can stem from a deeper depth and conviction of our souls in the hard times. The pain is more palpable, therefore the worship is more meaningful.
Sister, is He truly your strength and your song? Do you believe that He is your salvation? Then sing!
Let us praise Him, for although we may be pressed down, He will not allow us to be consumed by what we’re facing. The quicker we come to a heart of worship— even in the midst of distress— the quicker our perspective changes.
The amazing thing about worship is that it’s multifaceted. It praises God, allowing Him to get the glory; it redirects our hearts back to the throne of God, giving us the ability to see through the clouds and focus on our Savior. And, our personal worship also blesses others in that it gives testimony to what God has done, so they too may be drawn in to witness the power of our great God.
“But as for me, the nearness of God is good for me; I have made the Lord God my refuge, so that I may tell of all Your works.”
Sing a new song, bless the Lord, and live a life of worship.
5- Rejoice in His Presence
Read: verses 19-24
Where else would we go? Where else should we be, but in the presence of the Lord? As we’re journeying through hard times or seasons of distress, the most important thing we can do is continue to seek the Lord. Here is the ultimate “self-care”— it’s called surrender! Surrender your will, your thoughts, your struggles, and your ways unto the Lord, and continually sit in His presence. Cast every weight unto Him and He will care for you.
“Open the gates of righteousness to me; I will enter through them, I will give thanks to the LORD.”
Allow me to share another thought on worship, for herein lies its power: the more we worship, the more of a desire we have to be in His presence. And, the more we are in His presence, acknowledging His character and seeing Him move in our lives, the more we will worship. This continuum is only broken when we fix our eyes on someone or something other than the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Being in the Lord’s presence, whether by prayer, sitting quietly at His feet, being in the Word, or by whatever means the Lord is calling us to in the moment, gives us the opportunity to see and acknowledge the ways the Lord has answered our prayers (verse 21). When the Lord calls these things to mind, don’t brush them off; instead, think on them, notice His faithfulness, and trust Him more deeply.
Sister, you, like me, have the choice to either continue to wonder what to do when you’re feeling distressed, or to plant your feet in His presence and proclaim,
“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Yes, this day. A good day, or a hard day— it is still a day the Lord has made. Just as the day of our Lord’s sacrifice on the cross— the chief cornerstone, who was rejected— it was the day the Lord had made. We can rejoice in it.
He is still sovereign over this day. He has ordained it, and it is not outside of His plan. And, because we’ve already learned that His goodness, kindness, and faithfulness endure forever, we can trust Him in this day.
6- Encouragement & Praise
Read: verses 25-29
It may not be easy, but by the grace of God and in His strength, we can bring encouragement to those around us during our times of distress. We look again at the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus— one day, entering the gate while being praised and blessed with Hosannas, and a short time later becoming the sacrifice for all mankind. Several verses in this Psalm give us that prophetic vantage point. No doubt this should remind us that God is the LORD (verse 27) and we are to bless Him.
“The LORD is God, and He has made His light to shine upon us.”
We invite others to join us in blessing Him, for His light shines on us, He saves us, and He alone is the one who brings prosperity.
When we spend time in His presence, worshiping Him and meditating on what He’s done for us, it’s easier to turn our eyes outward to encourage others with these same truths. From the viewpoint of His presence, we see more clearly all of the marvelous works He’s done, not just what He’s personally done for us.
And so, this ending brings us right back to the beginning— expressing our thankfulness and acknowledgment of His character. Notice the personal claim in verse 28. The Psalmist proclaims to the Lord, “You are my God.” He is the Lord, yes; but, if you have received the free gift of salvation, then He is YOUR God. Will you praise Him, exalt Him, and bless Him like no other?
When you’re feeling distressed, sister, remember that He is good. You have reason to thank Him. He is on your side, and His steadfast love endures forever. Allow Him to pluck you out of the narrow and set you in the open space. The right hand of the Lord does valiantly (verse 16).
So let it be.
Waiting Well: A Lesson in Patience
Waiting is seldom easy. In fact, it can be downright difficult. But, it’s always possible. I know it doesn’t feel that way at the moment, but let’s take our feelings…
I have a feeling you’ll be able to relate to some of this, sister…
When we were kids, we couldn’t wait to be teenagers. As teenagers, we couldn’t wait to drive, and then one day become adults. Maybe if you’re currently single, you desire to be married. Or perhaps you’re waiting to have kids. One day, you’ll be waiting for those kids to have kids so you can become a grandparent!
Or, more solemnly, perhaps it’s your prodigal child who’s turned his heart from the Lord, that you’re prayerfully waiting to return. Possibly, you’re waiting for the test results to come back so the doctor can determine an official diagnosis. Or, you’re waiting for a breakthrough in the difficulties enveloping your marriage.
Waiting is seldom easy. In fact, it can be downright difficult. But, it’s always possible– it truly is. I know it doesn’t feel that way at the moment, but let’s take our feelings off of the table for the time being, shall we? As women, we often focus too much on how we feel in a particular situation, and allow those emotions to determine how we navigate the waters. This is true for so many areas of our lives, but particularly true when we’re waiting; when we’re doing our best to be patient.
As a Christian, patience is a key character trait in our faith. Our goal should be to patiently endure as Christ did. We are called to be patient with others, patient with the Lord as we wait on Him, and to let patience have its perfect work within us (James 1:4). We have the Holy Spirit in us, guiding and directing our steps– but we must be still and listen. We can have patience as we allow Him to work in us in the hard times– the times of waiting for days, weeks, or even years. We can choose to fret or to wait patiently for the God who is sovereign over our lives (Psalm 37:7).
What is patience?
Cambridge Dictionary defines patience as “the ability to wait, or to continue doing something despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed.”
Often, in various translations of the Bible, patience is called “longsuffering”. It’s the idea of being able to suffer long; however, not just for a long time, but to also suffer well. Patience is the opposite of quick anger and loss of control. There is a strength that we exude when we operate in patience, and on the contrary, a weakness when we react impatiently.
If you’ve been following our Godly Woman Wardrobe series, you know that patience (or longsuffering) is the 5th character trait we are to put on according to Colossians 3:12-14.
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ”
We can be patient and endure because of the hope we have in Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:3). Patience is a flex of our endurance muscle, giving us the ability to wait on the Lord’s timing, trust in the Lord’s goodness, and believe the outcome of our trials will be for our good and His glory. Endurance takes faith—not passivity— to work. In faith, we can be still and allow God to be God in our lives.
And of course, sister, what is patience if not one of the beautiful pieces of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). Through the sanctification process, as the Spirit is at work in our lives changing us to be more and more like Christ, we ever increasingly live and breathe the character of God. In obedience to the Holy Spirit and His promptings, we can then exhibit patience, even in the toughest moments and circumstances.
How to be patient
In terms of discovering how to be patient, keep in mind that, like any other aspect of our faith, patience isn’t a one-size-fits-all character trait. God will provide different situations in the lives of each of us to help us grow in patience. What circumstances that cause me to learn how to have more patience may look drastically different than the situations that cause you to flex your endurance. Let us not compare; instead, let us be mindful of the things of God: His personalized, customized working of sanctification in us, and walk worthy of the particular calling He has set before us.
As we look at these five, general ways to slow down, take a step back, and be mindful of our growth in patience, we can do so knowing that the Lord will give each of us the strength and endurance due to us so that we can glorify Him in the process.
Please note: There are so many ways to learn how to be patient. You could likely come up with your own list of five! I encourage you to comb through the Scriptures and discover all of the Bible verses about patience. To get you started, here are a few things the Lord has laid on my heart.
#1: Wait on the Lord.
Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord! -Psalm 27:14 NKJV
Not long after becoming a stay-at-home mom, I felt the Lord telling us it was time to have a 3rd child. After getting pregnant fairly quickly, I had a miscarriage. If you’ve ever experienced a miscarriage, or know someone who has, you know how difficult it is. For me, the next part of the equation was very trying as well– waiting to get pregnant again. This had never been something I struggled with before (and I know many who have, so believe me, I do not take this for granted and am very thankful), so it became a very confusing time for me. I began wondering if my body was still working correctly and why it would take so long when I knew it was the Lord who had placed the desire on my heart to have another child. Why was He withholding?
I had so many questions throughout the year that it took me to conceive again, and I truly had to dig deep to walk out the words of this verse. To be of good courage; to wait; to allow Him to strengthen my heart– these were all things I could not do on my own. When my fleshly thoughts wanted to take over, I had to remember that His words do not return void and He is the Ultimate Promisekeeper. Recalling the truth of His character helped me to endure in hope during that time. And, while I waited, He reminded me that He is my portion, and all I need (Lamentations 3:24).
#2: Be patient in affliction.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. — Romans 12:12 ESV
Did you know you have something in common with Moses, Abraham, Job, Paul (and many others in the Bible)? It’s easily summed up in one word: TRIALS! Trials and storms will come in this life; there is no question about it (John 16:33). In my opinion, knowing this truth reminds me that there is no use trying to avoid tough times and tribulations– they’ll find us anyway!
God, being the gracious, loving, and sovereign Father He is, gives us the strength we need to be patient and stand firm, even in affliction. Amid our tribulations, we can fix our eyes on the Lord, trusting Him to take care of all we need as He leads us through. Patience in affliction comes via trust in Him, prayer, and steadfastness to keep His Word.
#3: Be patient in relationships.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. — 1 Thessalonians 5:14 NKJV
Whether our spouse, kids, co-workers, or brothers and sisters in Christ, we are called to be patient with all. And, if you weren’t sure, all means all. :) That includes those who are unruly– a little stubborn in their opinions or perhaps even argumentative. We’re told we should, as the Thessalonians we also instructed, warn or admonish them firmly and gently– in a way that still is loving. We sprinkle our words with grace and truth, and honor Christ in the way we respond, react, and instruct.
What about comforting the fainthearted– those who, as it means in the original Greek, are “little spirited” or “feebleminded.” We can easily lose our patience with friends or family who don’t get it; or those fellow Christians who may have weaker confidence in the things of the Lord. Yet this is where we’re called to walk slowly; take a seat, and encourage. Drop back to their pace and run alongside them, helping them grow and come to understand the things you hope in on a deeper level.
RELATED: How to Encourage One Another Like Barnabas
And then, as the verse above also states, we’re to uphold the weak. Whether physically, mentally, or perhaps weaker and less firm in their faith– as the Lord upholds us, we’re in turn to do the same for others. There’s no good reason to expect too much from them– give them grace and time to seek the Lord for themselves as well. We can show Christ’s love as we care for, hold fast to, or support those who are more feeble.
Being “patient with all” writes the story not only of how we treat those who need our support, but also of how we respond to others when we’re the ones who are not encouraged, upheld, and comforted, but instead, slandered or insulted. Patience can be tasted on our tongue as we give a soft answer instead of wrath (Proverbs 15:1); felt in our mind as we think before we speak (Proverbs 15:28); or perhaps palpable in our being as we’re slow to anger (Proverbs 14:29).
25 Pro Tips for Patience in Relationships
How to be patient…when you’re tired, you don’t feel like it, or when it’s hard. These are all things we face as we navigate our relationships with others. You’re not alone, sister and the Bible offers us so much wisdom on this topic! Here’s a FREE guide with 25 simple, yet in-depth tips based on Romans 12. Fill out the form below.
#4: Show patience in serving.
And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. -Galatians 6:9-10 NKJV
Things may not always shape up in the way we expect them to, especially when it comes to serving others, but we can trust the Lord that if we are surely operating inside of His will, our serving will not be in vain. Therefore, no matter what it looks like, we focus on the “doing good” and not the “weary”. This proper focus allows our gaze to be fixed on the truth that there is always a season coming, whereas what the Lord purposes for us will be reaped.
It can be hard. It can be tiring. It can stretch our patience. But, our serving others, especially those who are of the household of faith, is never in vain, sister. The Lord desires to use us to do particular works that He ordained for us before the foundation of the world, and our job is to simply, trust, obey, and walk patiently in them. Our strength comes from the Lord, so when those thoughts of weariness come, as long as we’re doing what He’s called us to do, we can wait well for our due season, honoring Him along the way as we take the opportunities He’s given us to do good to all. (Don’t forget, all means all!).
#5: Slow down and learn patience from the Best.
The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. — Psalm 103:8 NASB
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. — 2 Peter 3:9 NASB
The beautiful thing about patience (and all other godly characteristics) is that we don’t have to pull it out of thin air and fabricate it ourselves. Patience, just like the rest of the Godly Woman Wardrobe, comes from the Lord! God is love, and love is patient (1 Corinthians 13:4). In His greatest act of love He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins so that through Jesus, we could be reconciled back to God. And in His great patience, He desires all to come to repentance, not wanting anyone to perish. As we wade the waters of relationships, trials, and service, we need to look no further than our Great Example.
We can wait faithfully for His timing because He is always faithful.
We can be still and patiently listen for Him because His still small voice is always there when we seek Him.
We can trust in His promises because He is not slack to keep them.
We can wait patiently for the Lord because His sovereign timing is always precise.
What is patience, if the Lord isn’t in it?
Sister, let me now encourage, uphold, and comfort you! Let us no longer question or wonder ‘how to be patient’. We keep our eyes focused on the Lord, remembering that patience isn’t just a “thing” to be possessed. In other words, we’re not to just have patience. None of the fruit of the Spirit and any other godly characteristic is something to simply have or hold onto. We must walk it out; use it. We show patience in our behaviors, our actions, our words, and responses, as the Lord does in our lives. What He does in us and through us, and more importantly, what we have in Him is enough.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the person who seeks Him. -Lamentations 3:24-25 NASB
What about you? Do you struggle with patience or does having patience come easily to you? Comment below and let me know!
Missed the intro to the Godly Woman Wardrobe? Find out what Christian women should wear, here.
Pursuing Righteousness: 11 Biblical Tips
I’m a sucker for Latin. I haven’t studied it a lot and I know it’s a dead language and all, but there is something about the sound of Latin words and phrases that sound so beautiful to me…
I’m a sucker for Latin. I haven’t studied it a lot and I know it’s a dead language and all, but there is something about the sound of Latin words and phrases that sound so beautiful to me.
A few years ago I designed a canvas print with the words, Coram Deo on it. It means, “in the presence of God,” and it makes me think of Psalm 139:7, where David says there’s not a place he can go where he could flee from the Lord’s presence.
So true, isn’t it?
Soli Deo Gloria
Another Latin phrase I love is Soli Deo Gloria. When I think of this phrase, it begs the question, ‘What does it mean to live righteously?’
Likely, you’ve heard this Latin phrase before. Composers like Johann Sebastian Bach would write it at the bottom of their music. These beautiful words mean, “to the glory of God alone.”
The pastor at the first church my husband and I attended years ago gave us a book called the Westminster Shorter Catechism. One truth it states is:
“Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”
All of life is to be lived for the glory of God.
To live a life that gives glory to God alone, we must study the Word and hide it in our hearts. We need to be diligent to abide in the Lord, pursue Him, and pursue His righteousness. When we abide in Him, we’ll yearn to spend time with Him, sit at His feet, and learn from Him. Understanding how to pursue righteousness starts here.
This is where pursuing righteousness begins.
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, I receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is at no extra cost to you, and helps me to further serve you in your walk with the Lord!
What is Righteousness?
We are made righteous in the eyes of God by the blood of Jesus. Through His death and resurrection, and our acceptance of that free gift, our sins are forgiven and God sees us as righteous. This is called justification.
Here’s another big word: sanctification. Sanctification means “set apart”. Those in Christ are set apart for God to live holy lives unto Him. But, sanctification is also a process— one of the continual work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to help us grow in the Lord and become more like Christ every day.
“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. ”
Our behavior and conduct should show the world that we are set apart for God, living for Him— not living for the world. The Lord is working in our hearts and in our lives to draw us closer to Him and mold our character to be more like His.
Bible Verses About Righteousness
The word righteousness appears almost 300 times in the NASB version of the Bible, and this doesn’t even include the number of times we simply see the word, righteous. Needless to say, the Lord has a lot to tell us about this topic. I encourage you to study the many “righteousness “ verses in their context to grow in your understanding of what this truly means for us as believers.
Here are a few Bible verses about righteousness that stick out to me. Grab a good set of Bible pens and highlighters, and mark these for your own, personal study!
Proverbs 21:21: “One who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness, and honor.”
1 Timothy 6:11: “But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.”
Proverbs 21:3: “To do righteousness and justice is preferred by the Lord more than sacrifice.”
Matthew 6:33: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.”
As you can see, these Bible verses about righteousness call us to pursue righteousness, do righteousness, and seek righteousness. But really, how do we do that? Let’s dive into it.
Instructions for Living Righteously
Pause for a minute with me, and take a look at the start of Psalm 1:
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.”
As we pay attention to the progression in these verses, we see: walk, stand, and sit. We can be mindful of the company we keep, but we also need to be mindful of how long we are in the presence of things not honorable to the Lord.
Once we start walking in bad counsel, eventually we get more comfortable and cease movement— which leads to standing amongst it all. And, once we’re comfortable enough to stand and hang out in wicked ways, we sit, relax, and take it all in— and before you know it, we’re also exhibiting those behaviors.
Sister, we can truly live Soli Deo Gloria only if we rely on the Holy Spirit and follow His guidance in our lives. And, that takes some good decision-making on our part as well.
PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS BY PURSUING THE LORD
To get to know the Lord better and what His righteousness truly looks like, we need to spend time in the Word, sis! Dive deeper in your quiet time with God using these FREE Bible study printables. Fill out the form below.
How to Pursue Righteousness: 11 Biblical Tips
Although you are ultimately made righteous in God’s eyes due to the acceptance of Christ as your Savior, you still live in freedom and can choose whether or not you are actively pursuing a lifestyle that is comparable to that of righteous living.
So, how can you conduct your life in a way that gives glory to God?
Grab your Bible and take a look at Psalm 15. You may want to jot this wisdom down in your favorite journal. This Psalm provides solid, practical answers, in the form of dos and don’ts, to the question:
How do you pursue righteousness?
#1: YOU WALK WITH INTEGRITY. Pursuing righteousness leads to a lifestyle that exhibits integrity. You are committed to God’s ways, and you serve the Lord, not yourself.
#2: YOU WORK RIGHTEOUSNESS. Your deeds exhibit justice. You promote good, not evil.
Examine your life: Ask yourself, “What results flow from my actions?”
#3: YOU SPEAK THE TRUTH IN YOUR HEART. Your speech exhibits reliability, honesty, and the truth of God’s Word. When you’re a woman who is pursuing righteousness, your heart is settled and steadfast on the things of the Lord. Therefore, beginning in your heart, what flows forth should be what is pleasing to Him, for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart (Luke 6:46). Evil heart intents bring forth evil; but not so with those whose hearts are focused with the Lord and His treasures. You don’t lie, deceive or manipulate, even when it seems necessary or convenient.
RELATED: Is it Ever Ok For a Christian to Lie?
#4: YOU DO NOT SLANDER WITH YOUR TONGUE. Your words matter. It’s always best to uplift and encourage others, speaking things that edify, not tear down. Again, check your heart (Luke 6:44-46)!
#5: YOU DO NO EVIL TO YOUR NEIGHBOR. I think there’s a good reason why Jesus said that loving your neighbor is the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:39). It’s not good enough to just not do evil towards someone— you must also go the extra mile to be selfless and others-seeking, as you treat those around you with dignity and respect.
#6: YOU DON’T TAKE UP A REPROACH AGAINST YOUR FRIEND. This specifically touches on gossip, which is equally wrong whether it’s toward an enemy or a friend. Gossip can be any discussion about someone who isn’t physically present in the conversation, including sharing things about them without their permission. The truth can easily be manipulated or misconstrued, even if it’s by accident.
Our words and actions should always exemplify grace. Oftentimes gossip can happen because there is a desire to put someone down, as opposed to offering grace over their shortcomings. Just as we’d like to receive grace for our shortcomings, we should offer grace to all we come into contact with— including those who may be presently gossiping! Let’s keep the focus on Christ and the fact that He shed His blood, which covers all of our sins.
Examine your life: When a conversation turns to gossip do you add a negative comment, or do you offer support and grace?
#7: YOU DESPISE EVIL. You see things for what they are—evil is evil. You hate the things God hates. You don’t allow yourself to walk with others in their wicked ways.
#8: YOU HONOR THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD. You respect fellow believers. You give them grace and encouragement. You can encourage them with your actions and words in person, over the phone, or surprise them by sending a sweet card in the mail!
#9: YOU KEEP YOUR WORD AND DO NOT CHANGE. You hold yourself accountable, no matter how high the cost.
Examine your life: Do others see you as reliable and trustworthy? Or do people doubt your follow-through? Do you hold yourself accountable for how you live for the Lord?
RELATED: Living for the Lord on Purpose
#10: YOU’RE GENEROUS WITHOUT INTEREST. When you live righteously you can give freely, because you know the Lord is your provider. You can give and expect nothing in return.
#11: YOU DON’T TAKE BRIBES AGAINST THE INNOCENT. This means that you cannot be bought. Could someone pay you to compromise your integrity?
To sum it up, David concludes the Psalm with these final words in verse 15: “He who does these things shall never be shaken.” We are solid in our ways when we rely on the Lord in our daily actions and interactions.
Let’s Pursue Righteousness
In terms of integrity and character, you could say the instructions in Psalm 15 are things the Lord expects of us as believers. These aren’t petty do’s and don’ts; they describe godliness in terms of a maturing character. It can perhaps feel daunting to view “all the things you have to do”; however, there’s no need to look at Scripture in this way. We study His Word. We sit at His feet. He desires intimacy with us and we pursue that intimacy. And, as we do, He changes us to become more and more like Him, being transformed into the same image from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). Intimacy with the Lord yields righteousness.
Sister, let’s put our thoughts and actions in their proper place. Join me in using this Psalm (and all of Scripture), not as something to hang over our heads to condemn us when we don’t live up to it; but instead, as a means by which we can simply measure our character. With the Lord’s help and guidance, and our desire to remain faithful to His Word, we can pursue righteousness.
We can live Soli Deo Gloria.
5 Reasons Studying the Bible Benefits Your Life
Studying the Bible is not something to forsake. I mean, we’re talking about God’s Word!
When was the last time you read a good book? I mean, a really, really good book–whether a novel or a non-fiction piece that left you wanting to read it again. Can you think of the title? I bet you can.
There are a handful of books that I have read and reread multiple times over the years. I don’t read a lot of novels; I typically read more instructional things that I can learn from– so these books have helped me grow in various areas of life.
With a good book, the content hits you the first time you read it, but there’s always so much you pick up from a book the second, third, or 15th time you revisit it!
This is because you are (or should be) constantly growing– growing in your motherhood, your faith, your people skills, leadership skills, or whatever the topic may be. Therefore, each time you read, you’re ready for a few more pieces of information that you may not have understood fully the last time you received the information.
The books I’ve read and reread the most are the ones with the content I remember the most. The thing is, however, that repetition doesn’t just help me remember what I’ve read— even many years later— but it also enables me to apply the lessons to my life— even many years later.
So what are we talking about, sister? I’m sure you’re tracking by now. It’s not about the novels or nonfictions we’re reading– what I’m getting at is our love for reading the Word of God and its power and ability to change our lives.
I would assume that since you’re reading my blog, you are a reader (maybe you don’t love to read, but you likely don’t hate it!). If you’re a fellow bookworm, then let me be the first to invite you to pull up a seat next to me and read, reread, and then reread the greatest Book ever written.
Studying the Bible
The thing with the Word of God is that it never gets old, right? Sometimes, with fiction or non-fiction books, once we’ve read them so many times, we know the character plots and twists so well that it gets less and less exciting with each subsequent read.
I don’t think studying the Bible is like that. Yes, we can know our Bible accounts and “characters” inside and out, but that isn’t necessarily the point; the Bible isn’t just a big book of facts to memorize or characters to relate to. It’s the actual God-breathed Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). It’s living and active (Hebrews 4:12), not some dead text. The wealth of information, knowledge, and life we draw from it never runs dry.
Studying the Bible is imperative for us. There are always blessings and benefits to reading it today— and risks for putting it off until tomorrow. In a world of lies, counterfeits, and frauds, we need to know what the authentic, absolute truth is, and the only place to find it is in God’s Word.
RELATED: 22 WAYS TO SPEND TIME WITH GOD EACH DAY
Failing to study the Bible leaves us susceptible to falling for the world’s ways, simply because we may not know any better. That’s because when we’re ignorant of the Truth, any morally-sounding idea seems believable and worthy to follow.
Let this not be so with us, sister. Let us be women who know the Word; who seek the Lord. I pray we are women who know the Truth so well that even the shiniest of counterfeits don’t fool us.
Let us not miss out on all of the benefits, blessings, and beauty found in the pages of Scripture.
How to Study the Bible
Before jumping into the benefits of studying the Bible, however, let me share just a quick note about how to study the Bible. If you’ve never made a regular practice of studying the Bible, it may seem daunting or you may not know where to start.
While there is no single correct way to study the Bible, there are many methods out there to choose from if you’re looking for a systematic way to get started. You could learn how to do an Inductive Bible study, Bible Journaling, the SOAP Method, study line-by-line, write Scriptures, and so many more.
The point is to sit before God’s feet every day; so, studying the Bible doesn’t have to be methodical or done in a specific way. Your closest sister-in-Christ may study the Bible in a completely different manner than you, and that’s ok!
Simply come before Him, pray, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding. Then get started!
5 Reasons why Studying the Bible is Imperative to Your Life
If you haven’t read Psalm 119 in a while, or if you never have, I encourage you to read through all 176 verses to seek and find the blessings of the Word of God.
Whether for a moment or months at a time, when we’re lacking the covering of Scripture over our lives, we’re susceptible to the negative influences of things like fear, doubt, and anxiety. You see, when the Word is not ruling over our thoughts and minds, these negative strongholds are.
Yet, there is hope. Psalm 119* reveals so many reasons why the Word is strong and mighty over our thoughts and in our lives.
Let’s camp here for a bit.
“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”
Studying the Bible is a joy!
Dive in and let the Lord reveal more of Himself and His Truth to you! Download this free set of Bible Study Printables to assist you in your study time. Fill out the form below.
*All Scripture referenced in NKJV unless otherwise noted.
#1: The Word is our counselor.
Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors. -Psalm 119:24
The world is ready and at your service to give you advice, worldly wisdom, and insight into your greatest challenges. But oftentimes, the world’s way does not line up with the Word of God. How will you know what is good advice and what is detrimental to you if you are not studying the Word?
God and His literal words breathed on paper– I can think of no better counselor, life coach, financial advisor, or mentor. There is no confusion when we follow His ways.
#2: The Word gives light and understanding.
The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. -Psalm 119:130
Light looks brightest as it shines in the darkness, does it not? This is in fact what the Word does for us as we study the Bible. It brings clarity to our confusion and illuminates the path we’re to take. Even in our times of ease and peace (when things seem “bright”), we can see more clearly and have a better understanding of what is good, true, lovely, and pure.
Without Christ and the Word ruling in our hearts, we walk in darkness, no matter if our circumstances have us on a mountaintop or in a valley. The Word gives us all light in all times.
#3: Studying the Bible creates a longing for the Word.
I opened my mouth and panted, for I longed for Your commandments. -Psalm 119:131
When was the last time you ate just one chip, and then immediately closed the bag? Or had just one M&M? Sounds kind of silly, doesn’t it? When we have a good thing, we don’t just enjoy one, or enjoy it once. We long for it. We crave it. If it’s like this with physical food (and it’s always the foods that aren’t good for us, right?!), how much more should it be with our spiritual food?
The Word of God nourishes our souls. Once we begin studying the Bible, cross-referencing passages, and diving deeply into Scripture, the more we long for it. We long for the intimacy it helps to create between us and God, and we desperately want to know Him more. In turn, we develop spiritual habits that keep us coming back to the fire.
“I long for Your salvation, O Lord,
and Your law is my delight.”
#4: The Word provides direction.
Direct my steps by Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me. -Psalm 119:133
Reading the Bible enables us to hide the Word in our hearts. And what does this mean? It means that we know it, not just intellectually, but we know it in the deepest depths of our souls; we know it in our hearts to be right and true; and, we subconsciously have it stored away, ready to be used at any time we need it.
Therefore, when we’re tempted to sin against the Lord, the truth of the Word– if we obey it– keeps us from doing so (Psalm 119:11). It directs our steps, helping us to make good decisions and keep our way so that no iniquity can have dominion over us.
You see, it’s easy for iniquity to have dominion over us if the Word does not. All that we need pertaining to life and godliness is found in the knowledge of Him (2 Peter 1:3). His counsel is perfect, holy, and just. Let us meditate on it, trust and believe it, and then follow it.
#5: Those who keep the Word are blessed.
Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart! -Psalm 119:2
The Bible promises that when we seek God with all of our hearts and souls, we will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29). The intimacy with our Creator that comes when we seek Him is quite possibly the greatest blessing we could ever receive in our walk with the Lord. To know our Father more deeply leads us to cherish Him more deeply; it brings a longing and desire to keep His testimonies.
Not only does obeying His Word keep us on the right path, but simply seeking Him does as well. It makes us more cognizant of His ways– His desires for His children; His heart toward the fallen world; and, what He calls us to do in our individual lives.
The more you know someone— perhaps a family member or friend— the more you know their mannerisms, how they think, what they like and dislike, right? It’s no different with our God. The more we seek Him and the more our eyes are on the things of God, the less we seek after worthless things (Psalm 119:37). I pray the Lord would open our eyes so that we would see the wondrous things of God (Psalm 119:18).
Yearning for the Lord
Sister, studying the Bible is a delight. It’s like searching for buried treasure with the knowledge of exactly where all of the “X marks the spot” already are; and what exactly the treasure is! There are no guessing games with God– He wants us to know Him and His ways!
Because that is His heart toward us, we should yearn for the Lord to teach us His Word, and from there, we should desire to keep it. This causes us to love His name– and the Lord looks upon and is merciful toward those who do (Psalm 119:132). This can truly be our response— a deep yearning to know Him. It begins with spending enough time at His feet. From there, the Word penetrates our hearts, minds, and souls.
I encourage you to remember that studying the Bible is precious and necessary, but not because it’s an item on our to-do list. It’s much more important than that. Let us not forsake this imperative aspect of our relationship with the Lord. The One who is faithful and true brings wisdom into our lives because He loves us. Let us abide in Him, in the comfort and hope that His Word brings.
How to Spend Time with God as a Busy Mom
+Free Bible Study Printables+ Making time for God as a busy mom isn’t always the easiest thing to do. But, studying God’s Word is one of the most important things we can do to cultivate a deeper relationship with the Lord. Learn the key to spending more time with God, as well as 22 TIPS to help you consistently get in the Word each day.
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. That means if you click the link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This is at no extra cost to you, but it helps me to further serve you in your walk with the Lord!
I barely remember what my daily routine was like before having kids. I don’t remember what time of day I studied the Word. I know I did in fact study the Word (I have many journal entries to prove it), so my limited recollection leads me to believe that I didn’t have trouble spending time with God.
Our first child was born in 2013. I had many sleepless nights as I struggled with normal newborn challenges, adjusting to life as a new mom, and breastfeeding/pumping issues. I’m also fairly certain I had postpartum depression but was never officially diagnosed. Needless to say, I barely had time to shower, let alone spend ample time reading the Word.
Our second child came 19 months later. With two kids under two, along with working full-time, life was a whirlwind. I remember often wondering, how do you spend time with God when you’re busy?
RELATED: Finding Rest in the Midst of Motherhood
My kids have always been early birds, so that, coupled with getting ready for work, didn’t leave much time for uninterrupted studying in the mornings (my preferred time of day).
I don’t remember getting into a solid quiet time routine until our first two children were a bit older.
After becoming a stay-at-home mom in 2018, my mornings became a little easier to manage. I was able to set aside a solid 45 minutes to an hour before the kids woke up to read the Bible and pray.
Fast forward to 2020– I was several months pregnant with our third child, and between general tiredness, morning sickness, and a few minor pregnancy complications, I fell out of my morning routine– until that baby was almost one-year-old. *Sigh*
Now, that’s not to say I wasn’t reading the Bible during those times, because I was. I just wasn’t diligently meeting with the Lord each day and really seeking Him with all my heart.
Why do I tell you this? For one, maybe you can relate.
But, mainly my point is there’s an ebb and flow to our spending time with God. It’s not always going to go perfectly, and it won’t always be easy.
And, while there are numerous ways to grow spiritually as a mom, studying God’s Word should be at the top of our list.
So, let’s take a look at why it’s so important.
What is God’s Word?
God’s Word is God-breathed, divinely inspired, alive, and– it’s Jesus. Asking, ‘What is God’s Word?’ seems like a silly question. But, sometimes we get so used to having access to the Word of God that we don’t stop and truly think about what it is. Let’s briefly explore each of these truths.
God’s Word is God-breathed
There isn’t a single piece of Scripture that is there by mistake. God ordained it to be, and it is all divinely breathed out by Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Everything we need pertaining to life and godliness is found in the Word, and it’s beneficial for our training and for equipping us.
God’s Word is Divinely Inspired
Even though God chose approximately 40 different men to pen the words of the text, and you can clearly see different writing styles throughout the Bible, the words were not their own. These men were inspired by God to write the words He wanted to communicate for generations to come.
“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
God’s Word is alive
Our God is a living God; therefore, His Word is alive (Hebrews 4:12). God’s Word doesn’t change. It changed lives in the past, just as it does now– because it’s alive. It doesn’t need to be edited, added to, or subtracted from in order to keep up with the times. And, it powerfully works within us to accomplish what the Lord has for us.
Jesus is the Word
Jesus is literally the Word (John 1:14). He is the epitome of every truth of Scripture, wrapped up in the perfect example of love and the Savior of the world. Studying the Word is studying Jesus.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
“He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God.”
Why is spending time with God Important?
When you make time for God, study His Word, and seek Him with all your heart, you will be blessed. Blessed, not only because you’re learning His Word, but also because you’re spending time with him.
“Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
Who walk in the Law of the Lord.
Blessed are those who comply with His testimonies,
And seek Him with all their heart.
They also do no injustice;
They walk in His ways.
You have ordained Your precepts,
That we are to keep them diligently. ”
spending time with God cultivates your relationship
How well do you know your husband? Your child? A close family close? I’m guessing, pretty well. Why? Because you spend time with them. You have conversations with them. You share your life with them. You can’t expect to have a close relationship with the Lord if you only pop in for a visit a few times a month.
spending time with God is personal
You need to study the Word for yourself. Don’t solely rely on sermons and pastors, no matter how good they are at accurately sharing God’s truths, to teach you everything about the Lord. The Bible is for everyone. It doesn’t have to be read to you or interpreted for you by man.
Like the Bereans, who “received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so,” (Acts 17:11), you too can read the Scriptures for yourself. Don’t worry about whether or not it will make sense to you– the Holy Spirit will help you understand what you need to know at the time.
it takes a decision
It starts with a decision. You have to decide to prioritize time for God. Making time for God won’t happen by accident or by default.
Let’s pause and talk about the fact that you can’t “make” more time. I know we throw that phrase around a lot– that we need to make more time for things– but, the reality is, we all have the same 24 hours in a day. We can’t create more time for ourselves.
The Bible tells us to redeem the time (Ephesians 5:16). The amount of time the Lord has given you is enough for what He has called you to do. And, one of those things you’re called to do is seek Him and learn His ways.
So, the decision needs to be to make good use of your time by purposely and intentionally prioritizing your schedule to spend time with God.
Below, I’m sharing 22 things that I have personally done over the years to ensure that I am making the Lord a priority in my schedule. Read through and find what works for you!
how to spend Time with God (22 tips!)
Making time for God by prioritizing your schedule is easier said than done. I know from experience. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
GET PREPARED
#1: PRAY and ask the Lord to help you be consistent in your schedule.
#2: PICK A SPECIAL SPOT in your house to study the Word, whether it’s a favorite chair or a quiet room. Eventually, this place will mentally become synonymous with your quiet time.
#3: FIND A TIME OF DAY that works for you. There is something powerful about starting the day off in the presence of the Lord, but if you’re not a morning person, don’t try to become one overnight. After a short time, you’ll dread getting up extra early, and you’ll start compromising on your study time. Whether it’s morning, lunchtime, or before bed, just pick a time and stick to it.
Morning Tips: Plan to get up 30-45 minutes before your children wake up. Grab a cup of coffee or tea, but then settle in and get started right away! Avoid the temptation to check your phone until you’re done. Make sure your special spot isn’t in an area of your house where you’ll be tempted to start cleaning or doing household chores.
Afternoon Tips: If this is your work lunch break, eating and studying at the same time can work! Just stay focused. Politely ask your co-workers to not disturb you (and who knows how they’ll be impacted by seeing you read the Bible daily!). If you’re home, remember to turn off the TV, and worry about cleaning up the lunch mess later!
Evening Tips: Wait until the kiddos are off to bed and the house is a little quieter. Make sure the TV is off, and it’s not so late that you’ll be falling asleep! If this is a time you regularly spend catching up with your spouse, be sure to talk to him before making a change to your “married couple” time. Find something that works for both of you.
#4: PUT YOUR STUDY TIME on your phone calendar or in your daily planner. Set it up as a recurring calendar entry.
#5: SET A RECURRING ALARM on your phone. This isn’t the same thing as putting it on your calendar! Setting an alarm so you can hear your phone ding serves as an audible reminder that it’s GO time.
#6: PLACE YOUR BIBLE and study tools in your special spot the night before (or earlier in the day if you study at night).
#7: GET A SPECIAL NOTEBOOK AND PEN. Ok– you’re probably not an office supply nerd like I am, but I love a fresh notebook and brand-new pens! Sometimes having new writing tools helps get you excited about taking notes. They don’t have to be newly bought— find items you already have at home.
READY, SET…STUDY TIME
#8: PRAY BEFORE YOU READ. Ask the Lord to help you learn from Him and to minimize your distractions.
#9: GIVE YOUR CHILDREN A VISUAL CUE (if they’re awake) to let them know it’s your study time and to not disturb you. Put a sign on the door, set a timer so they know when you’ll be done, or simply tell them beforehand, “When mom sits in this chair, I’m spending time with God. When I get up, that means I’m ready to play again.”
#10: HAVE A DAILY PLAN. Follow a Bible study plan or purpose to read through an entire book, unless the Holy Spirit lays something different on your heart that day.
#11: CHOOSE WISELY. Devotionals and Christian books are great tools to help you continue to grow spiritually, but I believe these should be picked up AFTER you’ve spent time in God’s Word. The words of men do not compare to the Word of God. These tools are extra.
#12: WRITE SCRIPTURE AS YOU READ, or write a summary at the end of each chapter. This will help you stay focused and motivated to come to the Word each day to continue your notes.
#13: TRY A NEW BIBLE STUDY METHOD: Inductive Bible study, Bible Journaling, the SOAP Method, studying line-by-line, writing Scriptures– and more! Find one that works for you.
#14: SET REALISTIC GOALS. Whether it’s one verse or an entire chapter, the goal is to simply study the Word! Study what you can truly absorb in the time you have.
#15: DON’T GET DISCOURAGED. My study time is interrupted by a waking child more often than not. Know what interruptions may come, and honestly, expect them. Focus hard in the time you have.
Free Bible Study Printables
Are you looking for free Bible Study Printables to help you study the Word? Now that you’ve got plenty of tips to help you get started in setting up a consistent quiet time, print these out and create a new Bible Study binder! Fill out the form below.
PRO TIPS
#16: DOWNLOAD A BIBLE APP like Blue Letter Bible, Bible Gateway, or YouVersion so you have the Word on the go. These apps have many different study tools, including concordances, commentaries, and daily reading plans.
#17: MAKE USE OF DOWNTIME. Pull up the Bible app while you’re in the checkout line or waiting for something to heat up in the microwave.
#18: FORSAKE WASTEFUL THINGS. Examine your life and find the timewasters. Maybe this is social media or tv time. These things aren’t always wasteful of course, but if you’re choosing to do these before– or instead of– reading the Word, you aren’t redeeming your time well.
#19: READ THE WORD WHILE YOU EAT. You’d be amazed at how spending just 15 minutes a day in the Word can impact you.
#20: LISTEN TO THE WORD while you drive or do household tasks like dishes, cooking, or folding laundry. Many of the Bible apps mentioned above have audible features.
#21: FIND ACCOUNTABILITY. Link arms with another sister and encourage each other. Maybe she texts to see how it’s going, or you chat regularly to share what each of you is learning.
#22: GIVE YOURSELF GRACE. Don't beat yourself up if you miss a day! Build up consistency and it’ll eventually become a habit you can’t live without!
The bottom line, sister, is that we can and we should study the Word daily! It may take a little schedule rearranging, but it’s possible. Pray, find what works for you, get in the groove, and grow in the Lord!
Do you have any additional tips or a favorite Bible study method? Share with me in the comments below!
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A Stay-At-Home Mom Schedule That Glorifies God
We have two choices— we can be controlled by our to-do list and stay-at-home mom schedule, or we can choose to yield to the Holy Spirit’s promptings as we…
Write it down. Accomplish it. Check it off. Move on to the next. Done. Done. And done.
Does your day ever feel like this, sister? An ongoing merry go ‘round of chores, activities, responsibilities, and tasks? A to-do list that gets (mostly) completed today, only so you can make a new one, and “take it again from the top!”, tomorrow?
And the schedule. Don’t get me started on the schedule! I am an organized girl by nature. I lay out plans, make schedules, watch the clock, and know what time all the things need to get done. It allows me to run a tight ship and keeps me efficient in the execution of my tasks.
It also holds me prisoner at times—- in a position where I’m bowed down to the likes of my schedule, instead of bowed to the will to the Lord.
Being a stay-at-home mom, it’s easy to get into the routine of rearranging our days however we see fit, whether that means making an elaborate stay-at-home mom schedule, or just going with the flow— saying yes to the things we want to do, and saying no to those we don’t.
But, if the Lord is to be the one directing our steps (Proverbs 16:9), do we need a stay-at-home mom schedule? How can we be mindful of our to-do list and the Lord’s promptings?
SAYING YES TO THE LORD
We know from various places in Scripture that all wisdom comes from the Lord. Proverbs 1:7 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” In our reverence of Him, we yield to His omniscience, understanding that our ways aren’t His ways, and our thoughts aren’t His thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). If this is in fact true, then we can rest assured that our days can be entrusted to His care and oversight.
Whether our quiet time is in the morning or at some other point during the day, there is beauty in beginning the day with surrendered hands, saying, “Alright, Lord, what do you have for me today?” But, hear this— not only asking Him, but also being ready to listen, receive, and obey.
Will we still have a to-do list ready to go? Probably. Will we still have some solid things on our schedule, like school for the kids, cooking meals, and appointments? Of course. But, in seeking the Lord first and foremost, we’re more likely to allow Him to lead the way as we go about our day, and more likely to heed His promptings as He leads us in the direction of other opportunities that may arise.
Give the Lord a verbal “good morning,” daily. Then, listen for His reply.
SAYING NO TO WHAT’S NOT HIS PLAN
Saying no can be tough. We have thoughts. Plans. People to see and things to do. We’re asked to join this committee, that ministry, go on a field trip, make cookies for the bake sale…
And we can do all of those things. We can find the time, rearrange our schedules, and add it to our to-do lists— all in the name of serving and being helpful. We were asked by someone, and we responded. Simple as that, right?
Yet, what did the Lord have to say about it? Did we even inquire of Him?
What would you say if I told you that God cares whether or not you bake those cookies? I truly believe He does. You see, if He is telling you to do something different with your time, but you ignore those promptings and instead make the cookies, then you’re being disobedient. He desires obedience over your serving in a particular way that is your will.
You can do a million great things for others today, sister. But if what you’ve done isn’t what the Lord intended for you to do, then you haven’t redeemed your time well. In your mind, it may not make sense as to why He would tell you to not join a particular ministry at church, but He’s got plans for you, and that ministry may just get in the way of His future purposes for you.
This is why we truly need to approach each decision with prayer and discernment so we can be mindful of the will of God.
Saying no is always a magnificent thing if it means we’re saying yes to the Lord instead.
A STAY-AT-HOME MOM SCHEDULE
I have sometimes likened being a stay-at-home mom to running a business. You are your own boss, you create your schedule, and determine the tasks that need to be executed.
While this can be true to an extent, what I now see a little more clearly is that this mindset sets us up to be the master of our own ship, tightly wound around our own will for the day. Doing so leaves us less flexible to walk, parent, and manage our homes in the Spirit. However, I do think there is value in having a plan for the flow of our days so that we don’t become idle or waste our time— neither of which is honoring to the Lord.
RELATED: THE IMPORTANCE OF SPIRIT-LED PARENTING
So what gives? Schedule or no schedule? To-do list or no list? Generally speaking, I believe we can lay out our plans and tasks, AND give attention and thought to the Lord. BUT– attention and thought to the Lord needs to come FIRST.
Here’s a very general example of a stay-at-home mom schedule. This is mainly meant to show you how and when you could incorporate some important points of meeting with the Lord throughout the day. Adjust it with your personal routines, meetings, and activities, as needed!
GENERAL STAY-at-home mom schedule
Morning Tasks
Wake: Sit quietly for a few minutes before the Lord.
Pray: Be thankful and seek His face.
Quiet Time: Start your day by meditating on His Word.
{Insert your morning routine here}: Coffee, breakfast, shower, get the kids ready, errands, etc!
Ask the Lord: What is your desire for me today?
{Be prepared to adjust your plans according to His will.}
Afternoon Tasks
Lunch: If your kids are home, sit down and enjoy lunch with them!
Nap/Quiet Time: For you, and the kids! This is a great time to be still before the Lord.
Pray/Clean-up: Tidy the kitchen and dining room, wash dishes, and minor clean up of common rooms. Pray while doing these tasks, seeking the Lord in the reflection of your day so far (How is my day going? How has my attitude been? Is there anything I should change for the rest of my day?)
Ask the Lord: What do you have for me next, today?
{Be prepared to adjust your plans according to His will.}
Evening Tasks
Dinner Prep: Use this time to listen to a sermon, the audio Bible, or an uplifting podcast while you cook.
Dinner: Sit down with your family. So many blessings come from time around the dinner table.
Pray/Reflect Together: Use dinner time to reflect on how each of you has seen God work in your lives throughout the day.
Family Devo: Spend time in the Word together. Pray together.
Bedtime for Kids: Pray over each one!
Spouse Time: Spend time with your spouse after the kiddos are asleep!
Ask the Lord: In what ways were You glorified through my actions today? Ask Him to convict your heart of any areas in which you need to change.
{Be prepared to listen in humility and humbly bow to His will tomorrow!}
As I said, this is a very general outline for a stay-at-home mom schedule! You will need to fill in the blanks with your life-specific tasks and responsibilities, but I pray you can see how easy it is to incorporate time before the Lord throughout your entire day. If you’re diligent and mindful to have constant communication with Him, your day can be tremendously blessed (and re-routed at times!) as you submit to Him.
focus on what matters most \\ nix what doesn’t!
Having a stay-at-home mom schedule that glorifies the Lord means that your schedule makes room for Him. It’s impossible to do so if you’re wasting time on frivolous activities that pull your attention away from the Lord’s plans for you. Download the Time Wasters Log & Prayer set, and start redeeming your time well! Fill out the form below.
YIELDING OUR STAY-AT-HOME MOM SCHEDULE TO THE LORD
Relinquishing our control over our perfectly planned days becomes simpler when our eyes are focused on the Lord and His purposes. Our stay-at-home mom schedule doesn’t have to be rigid. Most certainly, it shouldn’t rule us.
Psalm 90 gives us a few things to remember when we’re tempted to let it do so:
#1: WE CAN (and should) REDEEM OUR TIME WELL.
“So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
The world can pull us this way and that, distracting us with every shiny opportunity available. We’re told to live it up and live life to the fullest. Yet, the Word tells us that we should number our days. There's an implication in this Psalm written by Moses that reminds us that life is frail– but a breath– and it should not be wasted on frivolous things. We’re to live with eternity in mind, which means our focus is on storing up treasure in heaven, not on earth.
The Lord will give us wisdom on how to keep the main thing the main thing.
Pointless striving, pursuits, and activities that yield no fruit in the Lord’s will for our lives must be disregarded if we are to walk out the good works that the Lord has prepared beforehand for us (Ephesians 2:10). This doesn’t mean that there’s no time for fun, entertainment, or relaxation. We just need to be aware of whether or not the things we’re choosing to do at a particular moment or on a particular day are distracting us from the Lord’s work in our lives.
It’s not easy to get in the habit of saying no to seemingly good and helpful things; however, the more we seek the Lord for His wisdom, the more clarity and peace we’ll have.
Our stay-at-home-mom schedule should be one that allows us to redeem our time well.
Grab a pen and paper, and sit down. Spend time before the Lord asking Him what you can add to or remove from your day in order to bring Him the most glory.
#2: WE CAN SEEK HIM (NOT OUR TO-DO LIST) FOR OUR CONTENTMENT.
“Oh, satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days!”
It’s tempting to allow the completion of our to-do list or stay-at-home mom schedule to bring us contentment. Accomplishment brings us an air of satisfaction, prompting us to give ourselves the proverbial pat on the back. We have the mindset ingrained in us to, “Go. Achieve. Do more. Strive. Get it done! Do more tomorrow!”
While there is nothing wrong with setting goals, working hard, not quitting, and seeing a task to completion, as Christian women, our eyes, minds, and hearts must be focused on the Lord in these things. Striving for the sake of striving, or for money, fame, power, or clout is not our lane. We’re meant to walk step in step with the Lord so we can know when He is telling us to, “Go. Do more”; or sometimes, “Stop.”
There will always be something to get done— whether that “something” is a big goal, washing the next round of dishes, or doing the 5th load of laundry that day. And as good as it may feel to cut the lights on a cleaned-up kitchen at the end of the night, our satisfaction cannot be found there. Our satisfaction must be in the Lord— in His mercy, His love, His will for our lives— just downright in Him.
Make room in your stay-at-home mom schedule to actively seek Him (through prayer, the reading of His Word, or worship, to name a few) for the contentment only He can bring.
#3: WE CAN ALLOW THE LORD TO ESTABLISH AND DIRECT OUR WORK.
“And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes, establish the work of our hands.”
Earlier I mentioned that saying no to what’s not in the Lord’s will for us allows for the space to say yes to His plans. Although saying no may seem to be an impossible task at times, we can pray for the beauty and the favor of the Lord to be upon us, as Moses did in Psalm 90:17. What could possibly yield more contentment, peace, and perspective over our lives than the beauty of the Lord?
We have to let Him in, sister. Allow Him to fill in the pages of our planners and calendars. Release our control over our blocked-out time commitments each day. Again, we can make the plans, but we must have a heart ready to humbly bow and yield to His directions if our plans don’t match His. Focusing on His perfection and beauty prepares our hearts for that willingness.
He, in fact, wants to establish the work of our hands. And He will, if we’re willing to open the fists so tightly gripping our desire to complete our to-do list and live out our perfectly-timed schedule. Dare I say, we risk the chance of missing out on the good works He has prepared for us when we’re too committed to completing our own “good” works.
RELATED: 7 TRUTHS ABOUT GOOD WORKS
The interruption from the impromptu phone call from a hurting sister; the need to take extra time to speak life into your child; the little things that “put us behind”— could it be that we’re to walk out a good work from the Lord in those moments? Instead of immediately writing off the unplanned event as a distraction, we can pray a quick prayer when these things arise, asking the Lord if this is something He has for us to engage in right now, and the wisdom to do so.
Daily come before the Lord, seeking His direction in your schedule, from one task to the next.
LED BY THE SPIRIT, OR OUR TO-DO LIST?
Sister, we don’t want to miss something that’s important to the Lord. Remember, He’s the one on the throne. Following the Lord means that we’ve turned from our desire to be the lord of our own lives, and instead, we allow Him to be on the throne of our hearts as the Lord of our lives.
The beauty of it all is that He wants to walk through this life with us. He wants to see us walk out our good works and lead us in how to do so. He wants us to use our brains and our uniqueness in our day-to-day tasks, not be His robotic puppets. However, in all of this, He desires for us to choose wisely, and choose Him.
Realize this: by NOT saying no to the things that aren’t in His will for us, and choosing to remain so tightly woven to our to-do list and stay-at-home schedule– these decisions put us in a place where we become robotic puppets, enslaved to our own devices.
So, are you led by the Spirit or by your to-do list, sister? Is your to-do list so pressing that it leaves no room for the Spirit’s promptings to direct you throughout the day? I encourage you to evaluate your heart, actions, and thoughts. Better than that, ask the Lord to search your heart and reveal His truth to you.
We can make room in our day for the Spirit’s promptings, leadings, and new directions; the unexpected. It just takes a decision; a bowed heart; eyes that long to focus on things above. It takes a love for Him that supersedes a sense of accomplishment; and wisdom that reminds us of the frailty of life and the need to redeem the time well.
At times we can feel as though our to-do lists are everlasting, but the fact is, only He is.
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth and the world,
Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.”
There is nothing as pressing or important as the One who always was and always will be.
Remember that.
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Blessed Are the Meek...Are You?
What is meekness? And why is it that blessed are the meek? Meekness is a lot of things, but one thing it’s not is…
I don’t really recall ever hearing my dad yell at me or my three siblings while growing up. Sure, he was stern and authoritative when he needed to discipline us, but I don’t remember him ever flying off the handle. I’ve always had a deep respect for my dad, a respect that led me to never want to disappoint him— not out of fear, but because he doesn’t deserve to be disappointed. He displayed and communicated right from wrong to us as children, constantly went out of his way to do what needed to be done for all of us (and my mom), and didn’t retaliate, fight back, or try to get even if someone ever had a problem with him.
And he’s still this way today. Soft-spoken, kind, and I honestly can’t think of one person in this world who doesn’t like him.
Do you know anyone like that? Someone who you can describe in one, powerful word: meek.
“Meekness is weakness.” You may have heard that saying before. Or, perhaps no one has said those exact words to you, but you've got the vibe that that's the general consensus of our culture.
In today’s world, a meek and gentle spirit is often mistaken for weakness. A lack of strength. Powerless. Even, being a push-over. We're told to be strong, show everyone how much of an independent woman we are, and how we “don't need anybody.” Use our words, actions, and body language to exert power and force; take control, they say.
But is this the most effective behavior? I mean, sure, it gets the job done. People respond to fear, so if they're afraid of the big, strong woman you are— of course, you can make them do almost anything you want.
But, as a woman set apart for the Lord is this the life He calls you to?
This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase, I receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is at no extra cost to you, and helps me to further serve you in your walk with the Lord!
WHAT IS MEEKNESS?
Meekness is the willingness to suffer injury or insult rather than be the one to inflict those insults on others. It produces a mildness in our demeanor and humility in our spirit. Meekness does not grasp for ways to overpower others or seek to be overbearing. There is a gentle, somewhat submissive quality to a person who is meek.
If you’ve been following our Godly Woman Wardrobe series, you know that meekness is the 4th character trait we are to put on according to Colossians 3:12-14.
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ”
When we are meek, even if our natural personality tends to be on the stronger side, we choose to yield that powerfulness and instead speak and behave with gentleness for the benefit of others.
Meekness is strength under control.
It’s like what Paul urged the church of Ephesus— to display a lowliness and gentleness; to have patience and bear with one another in love. This is meekness and a worthy way of walking out our faith (Ephesians 4:1-2).
MEEKNESS IN THE BIBLE
Of course, like any good thing in life, we need to look no further than Jesus for our example of meekness. The Son of God, who left His place in heaven in order to come down and dwell among us, had every right to use His almighty power as He interacted with people. He was questioned, religious leaders tried to deceive Him, and He was provoked. Yet, He always responded with a meekness, never putting the full weight of His power at the forefront.
He showed His strength in teaching the truth, not in starting arguments. He was bold enough to confront wrong behavior in people, yet gentle enough not to strike them down. Those in His presence felt the weight of His authority (Mark 1:21-22), but He didn’t lord it over them. He came to earth for the people— for us— not to put His deity on display.
In 2 Corinthians 10:1, Paul, as he prepares to share some hard things with the readers of his epistle, urges the Corinthians “by the meekness and gentleness of Christ.” He desires to boldly share the tough, necessary things they need to hear in a gentle, strength-controlled manner— just as Jesus did.
Even Paul’s personality seemed to reflect a meekness, as, in the same verse, he goes on to say that he was meek when physically in their presence, but bold in his writings to them. Perhaps they thought he was hypocritical or two-faced. Or perhaps— they just didn’t quite understand what true meekness looked like.
Going back even further in time, we meet Moses, whom Numbers 12:3 says was very meek (or humble; or lowly), more so than anyone on the earth. The leader of the exodus learned how to hone that strong passion (that once led him to kill an Egyptian) into a quiet strength that would humbly and obediently walk in step with his God.
Meekness in our lives
So, what about us? What is meekness for us as Christian women, and how does it translate into our own lives? We often think that biblical principles are supposed to look differently for us in today’s world; in our current culture. But sister, God never changes and neither does His Word. So the direction and instruction we read in the Bible apply to us in the same way it applied to those living in those times. With a careful study of the Word, you can find many ways the Lord instructs us in how to live with an attitude of meekness. What is meekness? Dare I say, it conveys strength. Here are just a few thoughts:
#1: Meekness means submitting to God.
We humbly bow to His Word and His will, recognizing that there is no power that we could possess on our own that would fruitfully bring forth the will of God.
#2: Meekness means we let go of our rights.
We realize that our “logical” privileges and rights aren’t greater than our calling as a child of God. Our earthly prestige may bring us fame and attention in this life, but He has so much more for us. We live in a way that knows this to be true, not in a manner that ensures we’re placed on a pedestal above those “lower” than us.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
#3: In meekness, we see strength in patience.
We know that even though we’re giving up our privileges and rights now, in our meekness and faithfulness to the Lord, we will inherit the earth. He’s got us. He cares for us. Our meek and mild attitude is not overlooked by Him. His reward is great for those who wait on Him, whether for His enactment of vengeance or simply for direction.
#4: In meekness, we share the truth with love and grace.
We should always be ready to communicate the source of our hope and shed light on our faith, but we do so with meekness— a gentle strength that exudes the power behind the gospel, but in a loving way that allows the hearer to feel the Holy Spirit’s conviction, not our condemnation (1 Peter 3:15).
STUDY EXAMPLES OF MEEKNESS IN THE BIBLE
God has given us all that’s needed to live a godly life– the answers are found in His Word! Let’s be women who live with meekness, humbly submitting to His blueprint for our lives. Use this FREE Bible study printables packet to aid you during your quiet time. Fill out the form below.
Blessed are the Meek, Sister
Honoring the Lord is not weak. It doesn’t mean we are less than. It takes more strength to refrain from unleashing the power you have than to actually unleash it. Like a well-trained horse, we know when to humbly submit and how to respond at the moment. Was this not, in fact, the example of our Lord?
There is no need to strive or to pursue a life of power so that our power can cause all things to work together for good for ourselves. No— that is the Lord’s job. Instead, as we allow ourselves to be enveloped with His gentleness, we can rest in His peace, knowing that He will make a way, in His own way. We simply need to trust and be obedient.
Meekness brings forth blessings— not only for you but for those who witness the love of Christ through your gentleness and respect.
Blessed are the meek.
Be blessed, sister!
Bible verses about meekness
Use your FREE Bible Study Printables (see download form above!) and find your own list of Bible verses about meekness! Here are just a handful to get you started. I encourage your to write them down in a favorite journal (here’s my favorite!) so you can be reminded when you need it.
Psalm 37:11 NKJV
But the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
James 1:21 NKJV
Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
James 3:13 NKJV
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
1 Peter 3:15 NKJV
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
Ephesians 4:1-2 NKJV
I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love;
2 Corinthians 10:1 NASB
Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!
See also:
Responding When God Calls You
No matter how we feel about change one thing is for certain– change is inevitable. We can do our best to avoid it, but nothing ever stays the same. So what do we do when God calls us to something new?
Do you like new things? Are you privy to change? Change is a funny thing. It sparks curiosity and excitement in some; despair and anxiety in others. Some bulk at change; others welcome it with open arms. Change can bring joy– like welcoming a new baby. It can also bring devastation and grief– like the loss of a loved one.
No matter how we feel about change one thing is for certain– change is inevitable. We can do our best to avoid it, but nothing ever stays 100% the same, 100% of the time, for all time. Sometimes, sister, we must learn how to buckle down and roll with the punches. We can’t always control the things that happen to us, and surely we can’t control every aspect of our lives.
But, what about the change that we know without a shadow of a doubt that God’s calling us to? The type of change that gives us a choice– will we step into the newness He’s leading us to, or will we fold our arms, stomp our feet, and say, “No”?
When God’s calling us to something new in life– a new path, new ministry, a future spouse, or a move across the country, we can choose to plant our feet in disobedience and not move. Or we can step out in faith, trusting God with what He has in store for us.
God’s calling you to something new
Think of a time that God called you to something new. Was it scary? A little intimidating? Exciting, perhaps? Maybe it was a mix of all three. I can think of times in my life– His calling for my husband and I to start a family; for us to become involved with the youth ministry at our church; when He called me to start a mom’s group; and yes– when He called me to start this blog!
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Even though I love to write, when God’s calling on my life at the time was, “start a blog,” I bulked at that calling for a while. And by “for a while” I mean a couple of years! Every excuse in the book worked– from being too busy, what do I write, no one would read it, I’m a busy, tired mom, I don’t know how to run a website … anything you can think of, I thought of! And, I let those excuses paralyze me in a state of disobedience.
Disobedience is never what the Lord wants for our lives, but He extends so much grace, doesn’t He? He was patient with me. He kept gently poking at my heart a bit, little by little until I finally listened and decided to obey. Yes, decided. It’s always a decision, sister. We can do His will or not, but one thing I learned through this process is that His blessings come only when we’re obedient. This blog has been such an exciting part of my life since I started. Not only do I get to grow in a talent He’s given me and share that with others, but I’ve grown in my faith, I’ve grown closer to Him, and I’ve studied the Word so much over the last year and a half as I’ve written article after article.
We can’t possibly see all the blessings He intends for us as we follow God’s calling in our lives, and that’s ok. He just asks us to follow– to decide to follow. And, we have an ancient friend who, once upon a time, had to do the same thing.
Story of Moses in the Bible
So many of us are familiar with the story of Moses in the Bible, so I’m not going to retell it all here. If you’re newer to the faith, and perhaps only know bite-sized pieces about Moses, you can read about his background in Exodus 2. Moses was a Hebrew man who was marked at birth to die, yet saved, given a royal upbringing, and never forgot his heritage so much so that he killed an Egyptian for mistreating a fellow Hebrew. After fleeing to Midian in order to yet again escape death, he was married and then worked as a shepherd tending to his father-in-law’s sheep.
Why did Moses kill the Egyptian who mistreated his Hebrew brother? What angered him so much? Was it simply the injustice of the matter? Was it the way in which the Hebrew man was mistreated? Or, quite possibly, was God’s calling on Moses’s life beginning to stir in his heart even then?
Moses seemed to have a heart to keep the peace and want to set things right for the people (Exodus 2:13). He also had a unique upbringing that gave him access to the Egyptian lifestyle and royal life. Yet, he went from living ‘the life’ to shepherding sheep– a lowly, humbling job. If Moses at any point had been wondering if it was his job to free his people from slavery, he likely wasn’t thinking that was his path as he was counting sheep.
But sister, does God not use anything and everything in His sovereignty? When Moses encountered God at the burning bush (Exodus 3), the life he was living at the time appeared to look so much different than the something new of God’s calling for him. Leading God’s people out of Egypt…say what? I can only imagine Moses was wondering why he spent many years tending flocks if this was God’s calling on his life. We see this in Moses’s response to the Lord when he questions God with, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11).
God’s Calling vs. God’s Callings
Pause. One thing I think we must remember about God’s calling on our lives is this: In God’s sovereignty, He knows our purpose, what He wills for us, and how all things will work out. He knows what He wants to use us to accomplish in His grand scheme of plans and purposes. Yet, it’s not our job to figure out that big, overarching “God’s calling” in our lives. He will reveal to us what He wants, and it will likely come about through the series of callings He has for us over the course of our lives.
Here’s what I mean. Seasons change; our lives go through ebbs and flows. The path we’re on right now may not be the path the Lord calls us to 5 years from now.
Currently, I’m a mom who God is calling to raise and train up my children in the way they should go. My husband and I are called to serve in youth ministry. I’m called to homeschool our children. But, 20 years from now, our children will be adults and I will no longer be called to train them up; they’ll have completed their schooling; and we may or may not still be called to serve in youth ministry. God will likely have new callings on our life at that point. It’s not our job to try to think up what those callings may be; we simply need to be obedient NOW, to the callings He has for us, right here, at this point in time.
As I look back at the 14 years of my professional career before becoming a stay-at-home mom, I have a clearer picture of God’s sovereign hand. At the time, I was called to work (perhaps in the end, I worked longer than I was called to, but there goes that disobedience factor again! I’m still learning, sister!) I think about the roles I was given and the opportunities to learn new skills– skills that kept me working behind a computer with at first, basic administrative tasks; then onto learning graphic design concepts– putting together flyers, booklets, pamphlets, and the like; to redesigning a website and creating newsletters– I could go on and on! With all of these skills I was able to develop, only to then become a stay-at-home mom I could easily wonder what it was all for. What was the purpose, God, if you knew you wanted me to stay home and raise my kids, anyway?
But wait– I am able to use my self-learned graphic design skills to help friends develop projects and to create all the freebies and downloads I have available on this website, not to mention the items available at Lampstand Prints! Redesigning a website for the organization I worked for in 2012 gave me the knowledge I needed to create, design, and run the very website you’re on right now. The love for writing I’ve always had since childhood God Has turned into a desire for ministry as I write these articles. He uses ALL things in our lives; all the callings along the way to manifest new callings further along the way. Nothing is wasted when we’re obedient, even if we don’t know what the purpose of it is at the time.
Just like with our friend Moses. What better way to pick up the skills needed to shepherd the Hebrew people out of Egypt and through the wilderness than through the shepherding of sheep? His lowly, humble life as a shepherd prepared him for God’s calling on his life 40 years later.
We too, no matter what season of life we’re in, need to be open and receptive to the Lord, paying attention to the Holy Spirit and His leading in our lives. We don’t want to miss what He has for us. Keeping in mind the life of Moses, let’s explore some truths about God’s calling on our lives.
Note: I am writing this, speaking directly to you as a Christian woman— married or single. But please know that when we’re married, God calls our husbands to be the spiritual leaders of our household, and as we follow God’s authority and humbly submit to those roles within our marriage, there is beauty in obedience. God's callings require communication and prayer between spouses; be sure you’re following the Lord’s will for your family.
1. God’s Calling Brings Change.
God can accomplish anything, right? Anything. Not only that, but He can accomplish anything He desires in our lives and in the lives of our children, those we minister to, or those around us; but, as with Moses, He uses us to bring about His plans and purposes. That still amazes me! He wants to use us. Therefore, we must be ready, willing, and available.
In Exodus 3:8, we see God say, “I have come down to rescue them” referring to the Hebrews who were suffering in slavery in Egypt. God tells Moses plainly that He heard their cry and He came to rescue them. Yet, when we look at verse 10, God tells Moses, “I will send you.” So is God rescuing them, or is He sending Moses to do the job? Yes. God’s calling for Moses’s life comes about as God works through Moses and He uses Moses to bring about His plans and purposes. God could, without a word, change Pharoah’s heart so he’d let the people go. But, what does that do for Moses; for the Hebrew people? God’s calling to use Moses for His plans brought about a physical change for the people, a change in location, a change in their faith, and a change in Moses’s faith and perspective of the power of God.
Moses, when angered by the injustice his fellow Hebrew brother faced those many years ago, killed that Egyptian; but, this was him trying to go about his calling by way of the flesh. Moses now knew that through the power of God, his calling started in the Spirit and would be perfected in the Spirit, not the flesh (Galatians 3:3).
God’s plans always come with a focus on the heart of His people, not simply a change in the situation at hand.
8 BIBLE VERSES ABOUT TRUSTING GOD
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2. God’s calling reminds us where to focus.
When we realize God is calling us on a new adventure in our faith journey, sometimes our first response can be similar to Moses’s: “Who am I…?” (Exodus 3:11). Have you ever thought that? We wonder why God would choose us; who we are to do such a thing; or why in the world He would think we could even begin to accomplish that!
Yet, God’s calling doesn’t come with a requirement that we focus on ourselves. In fact, the more we focus on ourselves, the less qualified we’ll feel. It doesn’t matter who we are, per se; it matters who He is. And, if we trust in the Lord and walk in the Spirit, any thoughts of being disqualified vanish.
After Moses questions God with, “Who am I,” we see in verse 12 that the Lord doesn’t pay that question any regard:
“And He said, “Assuredly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.” ”
God simply skips ahead to the good part– the part that reminds Moses that He will be with him as he steps out in faith and is obedient to his calling. Instead of reminding Moses who Moses is, the Lord reminds Moses of one of the most important facets of His character: His faithfulness. God directed Moses’s gaze to the correct place.
Sister, are we doing this with our kids or those we serve in ministry? Are we looking up enough, so they too can follow our lead and look up to the Lord? We don’t need to be confident in our own ability to step into what He calls us to do. Please hear me– we don’t need self-esteem or self-confidence! We need to esteem God and we need to have more God-confidence!
Let’s quit thinking about who we are and instead remember who God is.
3. God’s calling reveals who He is.
Not only do we need to look up to the Lord and set the example for others to follow in this, but there will also be times, as we’re stepping into God’s calling on our lives when we need to remind those journeying with us who God is. If you have a family, likely your calling affects everyone in your household to some degree. Newness and change bring hesitancy. But God is still the same and unchanging, and the knowledge of this truth brings peace. Don’t hesitate to communicate this truth.
Depending on each situation we’re facing, we can ask the Lord to tell us what facet of His character He wants to reveal to us and our families right now. Ask Him, like Moses, to tell you who you should tell them He is. We can take the time to review the many names of God and remind them of what they mean. Gentle reminders like these help to keep our focus on the Lord and His power and might as we step into this new situation and calling.
RELATED: 7 Reasons to Glorify God
4. God’s calling shows His power working through us.
You can be sure that not everyone is going to believe in God’s calling on your life in the way you do. Some will laugh. Some will resist. Some will encourage you, for sure. Yet, one thing we can be confident in is the fact that God will always display His power, might, and glory in our something new as we’re obedient. We need to just remember that it’s all about Him, not us.
Remember, the Lord, as He did with Moses, will tell us how to communicate His plan with others. He’ll give us the words to say to encourage our children or others who are affected by the change. Moses was unsure about how the Hebrews would respond to him as he shared God’s plan to lead them out of Egypt; he had reservations about whether or not they’d be on board. But God was ready to equip Moses with the right words to say to encourage them and bring understanding (Exodus 3:15).
God has all authority, and if He is transmitting authority through you (if you’re single; or you and your spouse) in a given situation, He will provide you with the communication tools needed to share His greatness and restore the people’s confidence in Him.
WHAT Not to Do in the Midst of God’s Calling
Sister, we could talk until we’re blue in the face about how the Lord is leading us in the season and the next, what it looks like, and what He desires to teach us through it. There is so much beauty (and learning!) in living a life sold out to the Lord, choosing to faithfully follow His lead throughout our days.
But we too can join Moses in questioning, wondering, and hesitancy. Like Moses, we’re human; we have free will, and have a front-row seat to the circumstances and opinions of people all around us. In light of all we may face as we’re stepping into God’s calling on our life, there are a few things we should avoid doing:
Don’t make excuses (Exodus 4:10)
Moses was worried that he couldn’t speak well, and he made sure to remind God about it! But we see that God is over all of our insufficiencies and struggles; and not only that, He can use them for His glory! His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). We can make all the excuses we want, but God has already remedied them all.
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Don’t be unwilling (Exodus 4:13-17)
At one point Moses asked God to send someone else instead. Likely he was feeling bogged down and discouraged by his insufficiencies, and he was more focused on himself than God. Do we not fall into the same trap, sister? This actually made God angry with Moses. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want the Lord to become angry with me!
We must remember that if God calls us we are automatically qualified and able; BUT, we still have to decide to be willing. If we’ve spent all of this time telling others about what God is calling us to, communicating His power and greatness, but then we don’t step out in faith and do it, what are we truly saying? At that point, unfortunately, our disobedience speaks louder to others than anything we’ve shared about who God is. They can see we truly don’t believe and may wonder if they shouldn’t either.
Our obedience (or lack thereof) tremendously affects those around us, especially our children. They have a better chance of learning how to have a willing heart and obey God if they see that trait in us.
Don’t quit (Exodus 5:4-23)
In light of trials and adversity, stay steady. We can remember that we shouldn’t be surprised by the trials and opposition we face in the Christian life; it’s normal (1 Peter 4:12-13). Even when we see God working and bringing His plan to fruition, we’ll still face opposition. This doesn’t negate His plan; this is simply #facts.
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. ”
When Moses and Aaron first went to Pharaoh to ask for just a 3-day trip to go sacrifice, Pharaoh accused them of trying to get the Hebrews to slack in their labor. Therefore, Pharaoh made the work conditions harder for the slaves. He also beat the Hebrew foremen, who in turn went to Moses and Aaron and blamed them for what happened (Exodus 5:21). Instead of reminding the Hebrews of God’s promise, Moses turned to the Lord and blamed Him for “not holding up His end of the bargain” (Exodus 5:22-23).
Oh sister, do we not so easily do the same? A few struggles; a handful of “what were you thinking’s” and “I told you so’s” and we’re ready to jump ship, questioning God along the way. But, God is faithful, and we must take the lead from Him, not our circumstances and critics. Let’s not be swayed by others or our perspective of the path; we must simply go step by step with the Lord.
Our family quite possibly may be the first to lose heart by the setbacks on your journey; we cannot be the second.
instead, Be Encouraged!
You are a woman created on purpose! You dare to live a life that intentionally and purposefully follows Jesus. Different callings in our life can be unnerving, but the Lord has you. Your job is to be in tune with Him, following His will and His direction. Stay grounded in the safety of Him! He provides all the guidance, counsel, and peace that you need, every step of the way.
A Biblical Guide to Humility
What does it mean to humble yourself? It starts by adopting the same attitude– heart attitude– that Jesus had. Are we willing to choose…
“I’m the most humble person”…said no one ever. At least, no one who’s ever really thought about what they were saying, right?
Humility isn’t something you walk around telling everyone that you have. Most of the time, if that’s the case, that person typically doesn’t possess strong humility (if he has to tell everyone he’s a king, is he really…?) You get my drift?
Humility is a way of life– just like the other pieces of the Godly Woman Wardrobe, it’s who you are; how you live. But, as with the other pieces, it’s also a choice– a choice whether or not you will put on each article of clothing on a daily basis.
Sister, in an effort to humble yourself, just know that you can’t possess true humility outside of the Lord.
“Therefore, as [the] elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility…”
In Colossians 3:12, the word humility in Greek means “humbleness of mind or lowliness of mind”, and it’s the same word used in Ephesians 4:2, Philippians 2:3, and 1 Peter 5:5.
It is in this attitude of the heart that we came before the Lord, admitting that we were sinners, repenting, and asking Him to be our Savior. As new creations in Christ, the elect of God, holy and beloved, it is our duty to continue in this heart attitude of humility. As Jesus did during His time on earth, we are to walk out our faith in a way that gives glory to God; and, that is possible if we are clothed in humility.
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An Example of Humility in the Bible
Grab your Bible and read Philippians 2:1-9 right now. Will you do that? It’s such a powerful passage that not only lets us know how we are to act but also why we are to act this way. It’s worth the read to understand just what we’re talking about here.
There are many examples of humility in the Bible when it comes to Jesus, but for now, in light of this passage, let’s focus on His ultimate act of humility. Jesus laid aside all He had in the heavenly places for a time, to come down to earth, to dwell among men– living, suffering, and dying for us. Philippians 2:7 says He made Himself of no reputation. He took on flesh, became a servant, and lived a humble life– one that led Him, in humble submission and obedience, to the cross.
You taste His humility when you think about the fact that He was born in a manger and born to parents who weren’t wealthy, living lavishly in a palace. Even Moses was raised in a wealthier lifestyle than Jesus while growing up!
Yet, Jesus didn’t seek those things for Himself; He didn’t try to elevate Himself or His status. He wasn’t trying to pursue a rags to riches story in this life. Don’t get me wrong— there’s nothing wrong with wanting to get out of poverty and create a better, more stable lifestyle for your family. My point is that Jesus was obedient to the Father’s will for His life, and He was willing to be born, live, and die in whatever way would bring about the plans and purposes of God and give Him the glory.
Of course, one of the most “famous” examples of humility in the Bible is when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples (John 13). A lowly, dirty job usually done by someone’s servant, Jesus instead took this task upon Himself. He wasn’t too high and mighty; it wasn’t beneath Him.
Jesus– the Son of the Godhead, humbled Himself. He didn’t have to, yet in the love of God– His great, unending, unfathomable love– God sent Jesus to die for our sins. As Christians, we are to be like Christ. He is our example and by the power of the Holy Spirit, as we follow His promptings, we too can live a life of humility.
And for us, what does that look like? What does it mean to humble? It starts with adopting the same attitude– heart attitude– that Jesus had. Are we willing to choose to take on humility– not just in our actions, but in our being? This is the example of Christ. Once we do, then the verses prior to Philippians 2:7 are a little easier to walk out.
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
We’ll dissect these verses more in a minute, but for the time being, think about your day. Did the instruction of these verses ring true in your actions so far today? Were you selfishly completing tasks or unselfishly serving others? Did you look out more for others’ interests, or your own? (I’m asking myself the same questions right now, sister!)
RELATED: 3 Lessons on Humble Submissions
As we consider our heart attitude and ask the Lord to search our hearts and expose any wicked way within us, our pure intentions and motives come to light. It may not be pretty, but it is necessary because humility can’t fully manifest if we’re still holding onto ounces of pride.
Pride Goes Before a Fall
What is pride? Well, put simply, it’s not humility! Whereas we won’t spend a lot of time discussing pride in this article, it’s important to touch on it for a quick minute. We want to be sure that as we’re pursuing a life clothed in humility, we are aware of the ways pride can manifest in our lives.
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. ”
If you’ve peeked around on my blog, you may have noticed that I’ve already written an article that answers the question, What is pride? Although the majority of that article was written specifically in regard to motherhood, pride, as you know, is something that can creep into every area of a Christian woman’s life.
It’s so easy to focus more on ourselves, our own agendas, and our wants. This can be fulfilling for a time, and we may even be satisfied with the outcome. Yet, things won’t go well for long if this is the normal way we conduct our lives. When we’re too focused on ourselves (whether we think we are so great or so little) we are not focused enough on the Lord. We believe we can do it all on our own, in our own strength. Or, we believe that we can’t do anything at all, so what’s the point?
Pride hinders us from fully trusting in the Lord and walking by faith.
In faith, we realize that His power is made perfect in our weakness, so it doesn’t matter if we aren’t good enough. And, faith shows us that no matter how skilled we are, we still need Him through the process to guide us, direct us, and keep our eyes focused on glorifying Him in the outcome.
RELATED: Dealing with the Idol of Self
Humble Yourself
The beautiful thing about humility is that it is easily done by way of submission. Some of you may be thinking, submission? Why is that beautiful? I know, sometimes we struggle with this word; especially as women living in today’s culture where we’re told to take charge, be in control, and be a queen. Unfortunately, this attitude of a culture-approved worldview is saved for the prideful and as Christian women, we shouldn’t want any part of that.
Submission is a beautiful thing because it puts us in a place where we know we are under the guidance, care, and leadership of a higher authority. And, if this authority is trustworthy and truthful, we have nothing to fear.
Sister, this is our Lord. Even as married women being that the Lord calls us to submit to our husbands, we do this as unto Christ. Godly submission always trails back to Him, as the Higher, Trustworthy, and Truthful Authority. When we see Him in this respect, and in that respect we respect those on earth He has placed in leadership over us, we can then willingly be clothed in humility. Our pride will relinquish and we won’t be bucking at the system because we know that it’s the Lord’s system and we trust Him. We understand that His hand is indeed mighty, and we can trust His mighty hand with any care we may have.
When we’re clothed with humility, others see a gentle radiance exude from our lives. We happily serve in the lowest of ways, as Jesus did when He washed His disciples' feet; we don’t care if we go unnoticed; we don’t expect to always get a ‘thank you’; and we think of others first, over self.
“If you are willing to be nothing God will make something of you. The way to the top of the ladder is to begin at the lowest round. In fact in the church of God, the way up is to go down; but he that is ambitious to be at the top will find himself before long at the bottom.”
With humility comes grace (1 Peter 5:5). Who doesn’t want more of God’s grace? Grace is amazing because it has nothing to do with us— it all stems from God and His character. It’s a blessing and promise from God for those who are humble.
And secondly, with humility comes exaltation (1 Peter 5:6). In due time— God’s timing— He exalts us, in whatever way or fashion He desires in His sovereignty. Yet, if we’re on a path determined to exalt ourselves, this is the path of pride, and there will be resistance. We must trust and believe that the Lord cares for us enough that all things will work out for our good and His glory.
FIND TRUE EXAMPLES OF HUMILITY IN THE WORD
Sister, we can make up our life as we go along, or we can follow the blueprint God has provided for us. Let’s be women who live purposefully for the Lord by way of being intentional in our study of Him! Use this FREE printable study packet to aid you during your quiet time before the Lord. Fill out the form below.
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How to Humble Yourself
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can choose, daily, to clothe ourselves with humility. As with many things in the Christian life– it’s easier said than done. As I mentioned earlier, Philippians 2 gives us a little bit of insight into how we can practically walk out this calling in our lives. Write it in your personal journal and refer to it often. Let’s read it again:
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
#1: Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit.
First of all, sister, nothing means nothing. There is not one thing, ever, that we should do with selfish ambition or conceit (a highly favorable opinion of yourself). Yes, we can be ambitious for the Lord– striving to live a life pleasing to Him, to serve Him with all we have, and to be faithful to the calling He’s given us. An ambition that is focused toward God is ok. It’s the ambition that is selfish, however, that is not ok. When we’re concerned with our own promotion and advancement, thinking only of how things will work out for us–this is what the world means when they say, “Look out for #1.”
We don’t have to live this way– bowing down to what we believe is best for only us. The Lord has a better way and His way works together for good to those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28)– not just for some of us, all of us! At the same time! This is why God’s sovereignty is so important for us to keep in mind. His ways are higher than our ways and we don’t know the end from the beginning. The best we can and should do is to remove selfish ambition and conceit from our wardrobe and humble ourselves before Him, knowing that He will promote us in due time.
#2: In lowliness of mind, esteem others better than yourself.
Our job as Christian women is not to walk around thinking we are better than any one person (or everyone else). Relinquish high self-esteem and superiority at the foot of the cross. Again, this gentle, meek, lowliness of mind is the attitude Jesus possessed during His time on earth.
What does this look like for us?
It means we see each other as made in the image of God.
We don’t look down on someone who struggles financially or who doesn’t have shoes as nice as ours.
We see opportunities where our strengths can complement a sister’s weaknesses, and vice versa.
No one is below us, and honestly, we don’t put people on idol-like pedestals thinking there are so high above us either.
The Lord places each of us in positions according to His will, and that’s His business. As we esteem others as better, this means we see others as unique creations of our Heavenly Father with desires, needs, and struggles. We’re not so focused on ourselves that we miss it. And in our lowliness of mind, we are ready to graciously and humbly stoop down to serve them. When we all do this for one another, this creates greater love and unity in the body of Christ.
#3: Look out for the interest of others.
We should not miss the fact that this verse doesn’t say that we are to ONLY look out for the interest of others– it does say that we’re to look out for our own interests too. So we should still, of course, care about our lives, our families, and the calling the Lord has for us. Yet, is not to be our one and only concern. Again, with too much pride, selfish ambition, and conceit, we’re toeing the line of looking out for #1.
Instead, as we remove the negative pieces of our wardrobe, looking out for the interest of others comes naturally. When the Lord’s ways are above ours, we see others as made in the image of God. And, when we desire to serve them in their needs, by default we begin to possess more of an attitude that looks out for the interest of others. When I say “by default”, I don’t mean that it’ll happen 100% of the time on its own–no, it’s still our choice, sister! Yet, how much easier will it be, when we’re clothed in humility, to look out for others and want what’s best for them, just as the Lord does?
It takes a conscious effort and decision, a moment-by-moment reliance on the Holy Spirit. And, oh what beauty comes when we do so.
Bible Verses About Humility
There are so many stories in the Bible that focus on those who were humble and then exalted by God, and those who exalted themselves and therefore were humbled by God (just read the book of Daniel!). We have many examples to learn from, sister. But for now, I’ll leave you with a few Bible verses about humility:
Ephesians 4:2 NKJV: “…with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.”
Philippians 2:3 NKJV: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”
1 Peter 5:5 NKJV: “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”’
1 Peter 5:6-7 NKJV: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”
Job 42:1-6 NASB: “Then Job answered the Lord and said, ‘“I know that You can do all things, and that no plan is impossible for You. ‘Who is this who conceals advice without knowledge?’ Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I do not know. ‘Please listen, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’ I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You; therefore I retract, and I repent, sitting on dust and ashes.”’
James 4:10: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
Deuteronomy 8:2 NKJV: “And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.”
2 Samuel 22:28 NKJV: “You will save the humble people; but Your eyes are on the haughty, that You may bring them down.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV: “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.”
2 Chronicles 32:26 NKJV: “Then Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of the Lord did not come upon them in the days of Hezekiah.”
Psalm 18:27 NKJV: “For You will save the humble people, but will bring down haughty looks.”
Proverbs 3:34 NKJV: “Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble.”
Do you have others that are your favorites? Comment below!
Self-absorption comes naturally to us. We view life almost entirely from our own perspective and rarely pause to consider what others may be experiencing. But is this what the Lord calls us to?