I read everyones comments -SO appreciate this group of women who are REAL and recognize that God is still working on them and thrum them. Ladies – please pray for me. I work in a very toxic environment – today has been a particularly challenging day because I just felt like the enemy is having his way with my boss and a few others there. I want to be upbeat and positive but I feel downheartened. I want people to be kind to each other and to willingly work together. I know God can change all circumstances or His plan may be for me to move. It simply is not clear to me right now. God Bless You All!
My dear sisters,
I cannot express the great peace your words and prayers have brought me. I praise God for each of you!! One of the many results of my sin over the last year, and probably the most difficult to bear, is the loss of friendship. And with that has come great loneliness. But, I feel like I have tons of friends and family in this community. We may never meet face-to-face, but my life has been enriched just from our encounters in this group!! I thank God I found you all! Your words have built me up and kept me going all day.
All this brought me back to 1 Peter 3:4 where it says to have a quiet and gentle spirit. After almost a year of marriage this has undoubtedly been the biggest lesson/trial and a continual one at that. Having been an "Independant" woman living on my own away from family for 5 years before marriage and living with my husband it has been a whole new experience in clothing myself with a quiet and gentle spirit.
After many tears shed and voices raised I'm learning what it means to be this and the results it has had on me and our marriage. I thank The Lord for Helping me in this. The joy that comes from obeying God in this area has made me so much happier and feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Praying you all have a glorious day! Let me know if I can be praying for anything specific.
Ok here is a question. not to put down my husband, but he tends to cut things or people down. LIke today he was takling about some football article about some player and I forget what it was but he was focused on the negativity. this happens in the morning before work, when I am trying to ekep the negativity out of my life. how do I keep some of this from infecting my thoughts? or how do I keep from either spouting back and keep a patient, calm attitude?
I'm with you! My husband is often very critical and judgmental. It seems to infect our entire household. I don't really feel the need to be critical to others but I do to him, just to "get him back". So not showing Gods mercy or grace I know! God has shown me that with my husband it is a generational curse so I've been praying doing battle in that area. But I get very discouraged. I just need to keep my focus on the Father and trust Him completely! And take care of what He has set before me and let Him take care of the rest. Remember where Christ is there is no darkness at all. We have the Light! I have to just keep shining it in the dark places!
I think it is the same with my husbnad. he calls it the (omitted last name) family sarcasm. he said his father and grandfather has it. he doesn't like it but he definitely has it. guess I just need to pray more.
Many verses in today's reading were ones I have heard before, but many also spoke to me. I am trying to speak more life-giving words, but I know that there are times I don't. I need to concentrate more on what I say because I'm drawing a blank when trying to think right now of which i speak more of. I think words spew out too often that I don't even think about.
This week's words have been so convicting for me. Last week, I overheard two of my co-workers talking about me and saying that it always surprises them when they remember I'm a Christian. I was heartbroken to say the least. What toxicity and negativity have I been revealing in the way I carry myself at work? I find that I often hide behind blindly following along with the crowd in order to avoid conflict and confrontation, but, clearly, all that has done is make it so that people don't see Christ in me at all. Lord, please help me to have the strength to show everyone the good works you have done in my life and to proclaim my love for you loud and clear!
Oh Alyssa, that is so upsetting. I often fear the same thing. Sometimes the devil lies to me and tells me there is no use in changing now because they will all just look at you and see you as a self-righteous hypocrite. I will be peaying for you that you have the courage to make your Christianity clear and that you will have opportunities to show his loving care to those around you.
I have a quote above my desk that says:
" you can tell more about a person by what he says about others than what others say about him"
We carry a responsibility to be life giving, thinking and talking about those things that uplift others- that avoid gossip.
I am frequently challenged to really watch my words especially in an office setting of women.
This devo today really encourages me that this is truly God's desire for us- proverbs 5:14 the discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly (NIV)
Today I was drawn to verse 11 — "Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD– how much more the hearts of men!"
Most times my toxic words to the ones I love are a direct result of the "secret" toxic thoughts I harbor in my heart. God knows the ugliness I often cultivate in my soul. May today He cleanse that poison & fill my mind with the Word… so full that it spills from my lips in praise.
I read everyones comments -SO appreciate this group of women who are REAL and recognize that God is still working on them and thrum them. Ladies – please pray for me. I work in a very toxic environment – today has been a particularly challenging day because I just felt like the enemy is having his way with my boss and a few others there. I want to be upbeat and positive but I feel downheartened. I want people to be kind to each other and to willingly work together. I know God can change all circumstances or His plan may be for me to move. It simply is not clear to me right now. God Bless You All!
My dear sisters,
I cannot express the great peace your words and prayers have brought me. I praise God for each of you!! One of the many results of my sin over the last year, and probably the most difficult to bear, is the loss of friendship. And with that has come great loneliness. But, I feel like I have tons of friends and family in this community. We may never meet face-to-face, but my life has been enriched just from our encounters in this group!! I thank God I found you all! Your words have built me up and kept me going all day.
All this brought me back to 1 Peter 3:4 where it says to have a quiet and gentle spirit. After almost a year of marriage this has undoubtedly been the biggest lesson/trial and a continual one at that. Having been an "Independant" woman living on my own away from family for 5 years before marriage and living with my husband it has been a whole new experience in clothing myself with a quiet and gentle spirit.
After many tears shed and voices raised I'm learning what it means to be this and the results it has had on me and our marriage. I thank The Lord for Helping me in this. The joy that comes from obeying God in this area has made me so much happier and feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
Praying you all have a glorious day! Let me know if I can be praying for anything specific.
Ok here is a question. not to put down my husband, but he tends to cut things or people down. LIke today he was takling about some football article about some player and I forget what it was but he was focused on the negativity. this happens in the morning before work, when I am trying to ekep the negativity out of my life. how do I keep some of this from infecting my thoughts? or how do I keep from either spouting back and keep a patient, calm attitude?
I'm with you! My husband is often very critical and judgmental. It seems to infect our entire household. I don't really feel the need to be critical to others but I do to him, just to "get him back". So not showing Gods mercy or grace I know! God has shown me that with my husband it is a generational curse so I've been praying doing battle in that area. But I get very discouraged. I just need to keep my focus on the Father and trust Him completely! And take care of what He has set before me and let Him take care of the rest. Remember where Christ is there is no darkness at all. We have the Light! I have to just keep shining it in the dark places!
I think it is the same with my husbnad. he calls it the (omitted last name) family sarcasm. he said his father and grandfather has it. he doesn't like it but he definitely has it. guess I just need to pray more.
Many verses in today's reading were ones I have heard before, but many also spoke to me. I am trying to speak more life-giving words, but I know that there are times I don't. I need to concentrate more on what I say because I'm drawing a blank when trying to think right now of which i speak more of. I think words spew out too often that I don't even think about.
This week's words have been so convicting for me. Last week, I overheard two of my co-workers talking about me and saying that it always surprises them when they remember I'm a Christian. I was heartbroken to say the least. What toxicity and negativity have I been revealing in the way I carry myself at work? I find that I often hide behind blindly following along with the crowd in order to avoid conflict and confrontation, but, clearly, all that has done is make it so that people don't see Christ in me at all. Lord, please help me to have the strength to show everyone the good works you have done in my life and to proclaim my love for you loud and clear!
Oh Alyssa, that is so upsetting. I often fear the same thing. Sometimes the devil lies to me and tells me there is no use in changing now because they will all just look at you and see you as a self-righteous hypocrite. I will be peaying for you that you have the courage to make your Christianity clear and that you will have opportunities to show his loving care to those around you.
I have a quote above my desk that says:
" you can tell more about a person by what he says about others than what others say about him"
We carry a responsibility to be life giving, thinking and talking about those things that uplift others- that avoid gossip.
I am frequently challenged to really watch my words especially in an office setting of women.
This devo today really encourages me that this is truly God's desire for us- proverbs 5:14 the discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly (NIV)
Julie I really like your saying. I am going to use it. Thnks for sharing
Gossip is something I struggle with also – thanks for your honesty and encouragement to work on this
Today I was drawn to verse 11 — "Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD– how much more the hearts of men!"
Most times my toxic words to the ones I love are a direct result of the "secret" toxic thoughts I harbor in my heart. God knows the ugliness I often cultivate in my soul. May today He cleanse that poison & fill my mind with the Word… so full that it spills from my lips in praise.