Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.
The word says that our inner self is what is important to God. I don’t know about many of you, but when things get tough, my inner self is the first person to get put out of the car to make room for the baggage! The word goes on to say that our inner self should be that of a gentle and quiet spirit. My first thought was to say, well that’s not me, I like to talk too much and God made me talkative. However, after delving deeper, I began to see that quiet does not mean silent. That being said, there are many times when we Divas need to just SHUT UP! The definition of quiet in Hebrew means: Unmoving; still, Peaceful; untroubled, Understated; restrained. The definition of gentle is: considerate or kindly in disposition; amiable and tender. Not harsh or severe.
What is truly interesting is the antonym of quiet (disquiet) in Hebrew means: anxiousness or a feeling of mild anxiety about possible developments, to murmur, growl, roar, cry aloud, mourn, rage, sound, make noise, tumult, turbulent, be clamorous, be loud, be moved, be troubled, be in an uproar, be in a stir, in a commotion, or boisterous. I think about how often I feel troubled and end up in an uproar when my children do something because I have had so much anxiety. It is REALLY hard to be amiable and tender when your heart is racing, you are breathing heavy, and your mind is boggled with a thousand thoughts. Yet that is what God sees as great worth.
So Divas, our challenge this week is to delve closer to God so that we may grow to have quiet and gentle spirits. We don’t have to be mute but we need some PEACE. Only God can give us the type of peace that is required to have a quiet and gentle spirit. How do we cultivate “inner selves” that are gentle and quiet?
1. Acknowledge the one who is and is to come AND believe that he can handle our situations. (Be still and know that I am GOD Psalm 46:10)
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2. Don’t put our inner selves out of the car to make room for baggage!!! Jesus can carry our load: Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
3. IF you can’t seem to keep it positive, don’t talk!!! Ephesians 4;28-32 (Amplified Bible) “29Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.
I wish I could tell you that I have all of this figured out but that is NOT the case! I am journeying myself. Just yesterday, I paid our bills and balanced our check book only to figure out that there was/is no money left over for ANYTHING extra. BUMMER. My spirit was anything but tranquil. I wanted to stomp my feet and kick the dog! I was soooo disappointed in myself.
Debt from my business, being separated and being a single mom for 6 months on the brink of divorce with lawyer and Private investigator bills—oh yeah, it got really messy, not to mention the bills my husband racked up while we were living apart, all equal MAJOR HOUSEHOLD DEBT! Through all of that, I am so happy to say that God reconciled my marriage. My husband and I are closer than ever before but the consequences of our financial mistakes; just like the chickens, have come home to roost!
For the first time in YEARS, we are budgeting and spending CASH only! The current housing market and the low prices of homes will not allow us to downsize right now. So what is a DIVA to do? Be Still and know that God is God. He will honor our obedience in standing by our marriage as well as starting to be good stewards over our finances. God, grant me the courage to wait peacefully–(without boisterous complaining) and expectantly on how you are going work this out for our family’s good! Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and who have been called according to his purpose.
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