The Fruit Of Forbearance
Since I’m speaking for myself, let me just confess that I am a work in progress when it comes to forbearance - tolerating people and making room for their mistakes and errors. I know it might come as a shock to some people who know me quite well because they believe that I have a high-level of tolerance for others. I honestly don’t. My mother on the other hand is a whole vibe and I wish I could be more like her. My mom will see the good in people even when there’s none. I learned a lot from her but it’s still a challenge for me. You’re free to judge me on this one if you’d like to.
There’s a proverbial saying in my culture that “if they do it to you and you don’t show it hurts, they will not stop doing it.” In other words, if you give someone a mile of advantage over you, they will take ten (10) more miles and I have unfortunately been a victim of this hence my intolerance now. I have seen a few errors in life, it seems like the people you show more grace and love to are the ones who usually will cross the lines and do the worst to you. The Holy Spirit has done a tremendous work with me in the area of forgiveness so I am able and quick to forgive, but, my walls go up and I plaster my boundaries in RED ink so you know there will not be another chance to cross over it. It’s my protective instinct because honestly, who wants to get hurt, bruised, betrayed and offended over and over again.
Have you read Matthew 5:38-48 yet? Please do so because I am convicted each time I read it but it’s helping me grow and I believe it will help you too. There’s something about motherhood that enlarges your capacity to tolerate the things you cannot even stomach. Ephesians 4:2 has become my guiding light and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I’m creating a bit more allowance in my life for “repeat offenders.”
Ephesians 4:2 NLT
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.
I pray for you that if you struggle in this area as I do, may the Lord give you strength and grace to forbear. I declare it is so and so it is in Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Xoxo,
Lady Abena.
The Fruit Of Peace
I read an article on “Quora” that the word “PEACE” is mentioned about 420 times in the bible. That’s more than one per day and in all honesty, there might be days that we will need more than one of the “Peace Pill”. The Oxford Language dictionary defines PEACE as “freedom from disturbance; tranquility” or “a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended.”
I’ll give you my definition of peace, “going through the fire, rain or storm yet, unperturbed because you know that Jesus’ is right there with you”. That kind of peace, it is a fruit that is birthed by the Holy Spirit in us when we live our lives through Him. The Lord can give you rest - from any and every tribulation. Jesus had reiterated that as long as we live in this cosmos, we are bound to face disturbances of every sort, but, since we are hidden in Him, we should not be moved because He has overcome the world.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NIV
There’s peace in being content in life, there’s peace in living with a clear conscience. One of my favorite quotes is from William Shakespeare; “Love all, trust few and do wrong to none.” It’s a life formula that can save you a lot of heartaches and that plus the fruit of the Holy Spirit in you, you will definitely experience peace in your life. I don’t know if it’s old age but now more than ever, I go through extreme lengths to protect my peace. If I find any access around my life that can be used to disrupt my peace, I block it right away. Yup, it’s that important to me.
I pray that this week, you’ll find peace in any area of your life that you desire. I pray that our God who Himself is peace and called Jehovah Shalom, will wrap you in His peace. May He grant you rest on every side like He did for Solomon. I declare it is so and so it is in Jesus’ name. AMEN!
XOXO,
Lady Abena
Declarations For August 2023
We are just 4 months away from Christmas - how does the sound of that make you feel? Allow me to share my declaration for this month with you;
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you.
When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
For I am the Lord your God..,” Isaiah 43:2 AMP.
There’s nothing to fear so be encouraged to keep going and be determined to finish 2023 as your best year ever. The Lord is with us, our God Immanuel. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. I believe it will all of me and you should too. I declare this will be so in our lives in Jesus’ name. AMEN!
XOXO,
Lady Abena.