Fathers are very important to the home. They are crucial for the family unit to remain strong. But today I would like to provoke the women toward growth.
A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands. Proverbs 14:1
I have noticed, over the years, that many women…wives and mothers…desperate to have godly families are constantly sabotaging their families by the way they are trying to force what only God can build.
As a mother and wife, my first response to the conviction of Holy Spirit to make changes in our family dynamic, is to ask God to come in and do it. Surrender is the response, not strong arming all the family.
What I’ve most often seen is women trying to strong arm or manipulate their families to get in alignment with God. We all know that is not the way forward. That’s not a good way to implement real and lasting change.
Change comes when God moves our hearts.
As wives and mothers, we must learn to give God the room to make changes in the hearts of our family members.
When I was a new wife and mother, I often felt such fear over conviction that I would immediately try to force or cajole the family into making changes. I felt desperate to force the change from fear. I lived in constant fear.
Now, years later, I have learned that God hasn’t asked me to be the acting Holy Spirit in our home.
I’ll never be holy or righteous enough to be anyone’s Holy Spirit. None of us will be. We would do well to remember that.
We lead our children better when we bring our own selves under the direction of Holy Spirit and leave the rest to God. Sure, we can have moments when we are led to speak truth and offer direction or correction. But that is far different from forcing and manipulating them. When we’re honest with ourselves, we can discern the difference.
Discernment is crucial. If we feel lacking in that, all we need to do is ask God for more of it. Discernment is huge. We must discern the moments to allow God’s hand to move in our families’ lives; versus the times when He is asking us to do or say something.
God, please show us when to remain quiet. Lead us in Your way and teach us to discern what You want us to do to partner with You. Show me whenever I’m trying to become Holy Spirit in my family’s lives. Please forgive me and lead me forward in confidence…Confidence in You. Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving my family. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Proverbs 31:25-27
365 Days in the Presence 