Use Your Silence Effectively
Have you heard many times that silence can be the loudest form of communication? It really is and this “Life Practice” of mine has become an effective tool for me lately. Even the Bible admonishes that;
“Even a [callous, arrogant] fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips he is regarded as sensible (prudent, discreet) and a man of understanding.” Proverbs 17:28 AMP.
You don’t always have to utter words. Silence can speak volumes and actually keep you safer. Lord knows that if everyone said what they were thinking or processing in their head, over a situation or towards someone, it would be a much more disastrous world. Let me caution here that using your silence should not mean bottling things up inside or not voicing out your opinions. God gave you a voice to communicate but you have to be very circumspective on when and where to say what you want to say. Sometimes we really waste our words and thoughts. My work as a Consultant means companies pay me for my thoughts and ideas so they are always eager to hear what I have to say concerning a situation. What I have to say directs the right efforts and develops the right people for them, so, imagine wasting those words on someone or people who do not value it?
You can also find yourself in certain situations, conversations and even relationships which will sometimes require that you use the power of your silence to bring peace, show strength, exhibit class and most importantly protect yourself. There’s a quote by Plutarch which says that “Silence at the proper season is wisdom, and better than any speech.” Sometimes biting your tongue when it’s itching to speak is the hardest thing to do but, when you master the art of silence, you’re well on your way to a peaceful life. The last few months I’ve encountered so many situations where I wanted to let my tongue roll, literally, but somehow God gave me the grace to shut up! I laughed in my head when the opposing parties thought they had their moment but no, they did not. I had weighed them on a scale and realized they are not worth my responses or reactions so I stayed silent. I used to like to express my thoughts and say what’s on my heart so the people in my life never had to wonder if I’m happy or not but about a situation. The new me will only speak if it’s totally necessary but I will advise myself on whether to tolerate the situation/person or roll up the windows and drive forward.
My prayer for you this week is that the Lord will give you extraordinary wisdom in this area of your life. AMEN!
XOXO,
Lady Abena.
Pick Your Battles
Another “Life Practice” of mine that I’d like to share with you is on picking your battles. I’ll be lying to you if I told you that I have not fought some unnecessary battles in my life. Well, I learned from them and I have become more discerning now than I used to be. As long as we are living among humans, one thing is for sure that you will encounter problems and battles. Sometimes the people you love will also encounter battles and the “savior ego” in you will be motivated to dive into these battles with them to save them. I’m here to charge you that please, please, please, every battle is not yours to fight. Whether physical battles or spiritual. Ask God about any and every situation you face and like the people of the old in the bible, “inquire of the Lord” before you go to war.
I’ve seen the enemy work through people trying to bait me into unnecessary wars, but I bless God for wisdom, I don’t engage and I watch it all play out. I know when Satan can use someone around you, even someone you care deeply about to taunt you to go into fruitless battles. Be discerning and wise like a serpent the Bible commands. My dear friends, not every battle yields fruits. Some battles will actually reduce your speed in life and some will distract you from what you really need to doing for your destiny.
Usually, people who have nothing to lose or are not going anywhere start fruitless wars but, you and I are on a mission to fulfill our destinies so please, pick which battles you will fight and most importantly, let Deuteronomy 20:4 ESV speak louder in your heart and spirit:
“For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’”
My prayer for you this week is in this quote from C. JoyBell C.;
“Choose your battles wisely. After all, life isn't measured by how many times you stood up to fight. It's not winning battles that makes you happy, but it's how many times you turned away and chose to look into a better direction. Life is too short to spend it on warring. Fight only the most, most, most important ones, let the rest go.” ― C. JoyBell C.
XOXO,
Lady Abena.
Declarations For March 2024
Can you believe that we are in month Three (3) of 2024 already? The year has been raging like a storm so far but here’s a scripture the Lord laid on my heart in the midst of the raging storms, Psalms 46:10 AMP;
“Be still and know (recognize, understand) that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth.”
So I declare this month that no matter the circumstances or whatever is happening around us, we will be still as the Lord has commanded and through it all, may He alone be exalted in ALL situations concerning our lives. I decree it is so and so it is in Jesus’ name. AMEN!
XOXO,
Lady Abena.