SPIRALING IS NOT HONORING TO GOD
Have you ever seen a 2-year-old throw a fit? I’m sure you have. In fact, your 2-year-old may be throwing one right now while you read this. I’ve seen 15-year-olds, 25-year-olds, 35, 45, 55, 65, 75, and 85-year-olds throw fits too. I, personally, have thrown fits at various ages and stages along my journey. Fits don’t always look the same; they are quickly made normative to the person and the context in order to disguise themselves.
Some are silent fits where people refuse to talk to one another. Some are pouty fits with bottom lower lips stuck out. Some are angry fits. Some are nervous fits disguised in the air of ‘concern.’ No matter how you or I slice this loaf of lazy lounging in the spirit, they are all fits of temporary faithlessness when our emotions begin to drive the car while we sit in the passenger seat and act like helpless victims to the emotional driver that has been made manifest in our behavior.
I was always the best spiraler. “What is a spiraler?” you ask. Well, I would just start acting out with my thoughts, my words, my emotions, and my actions. I’d practically work myself into a frenzy! My behavior would become quick and messy. I’d throw things around in my car, my purse, or my room all in the name of “looking for something.” In short, my worried thoughts, would lead to terrified emotions, which would lead to behavior that just kept me escalating and then imprisoned me to a “stuck” position. Do I have any sisters out there? Is anyone related to me?
Well, one day, something happened and my stomach got that very familiar knot in it, and I had a choice to make. I could spiral. I was really good at it, or, I could listen to the Holy Spirit within me who said, “Spiraling is not honoring to God.”
When He said this, I was imprisoned in the “froze” position. How could I in good conscious act out now? If I did, I’d be really shooting myself in the foot because now I knew God was watching with a new expectation. I also knew that whatever I did would have new consequences because God had removed the veil of ignorance from my eyes in this area of spiraling. What did I do? You guessed it; I did not throw a fit. Rather, I began praying,
“Holy Spirit, I submit to you. Spiraling is not honoring to You. So, I ask You to soar within me, leading my flesh in obedience to victory. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, in faith, fully dependent on Your grace, I pray. Amen.”
An amazing thing happened. The knot disappeared. I had a new peace, a new steadfastness about me. More so, it had risen up within me in the power of the Holy Spirit who made manifest His love and peace in my thoughts, words, emotions, and behavior that followed.
1Pe 4:1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.
1Pe 4:2As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
1Pe 4:3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.
1Pe 4:4They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you.
1Pe 4:5But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.
1Pe 4:6For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
1Pe 4:7The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.
1Pe 4:8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1Pe 4:9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
1Pe 4:10Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
1Pe 4:11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen
Kristina Seymour loves to encourage and equip women through the Word and through community. She is the author of The Warrior Mom Handbook, The Warrior Mom Leadership Manual, and The Warrior Wife Handbook; they are available at Amazon.com. Kristina's Bible studies are for women who desire to live by faith in the midst of their everyday lives. She has learned that women can't survive on caffeine and animal crackers alone; women in the Word and in community are united and able to stand firm. To learn more about Kristina, please visit her website, https://kristinaseymour.com/. God loves to share His story of love and grace through us all, and Kristina believes that everyone has a story to tell.
Kristina Seymour loves to encourage and equip women through the Word and through community. She is the author of The Warrior Mom Handbook, The Warrior Mom Leadership Manual, and The Warrior Wife Handbook; they are available at Amazon.com. Kristina's Bible studies are for women who desire to live by faith in the midst of their everyday lives. She has learned that women can't survive on caffeine and animal crackers alone; women in the Word and in community are united and able to stand firm. To learn more about Kristina, please visit her website, https://kristinaseymour.com/. God loves to share His story of love and grace through us all, and Kristina believes that everyone has a story to tell.
Originally published Tuesday, 31 May 2022.
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