In life, we are not called to be passive recipients of friendship, but actively engaged with each other in meaningful relationships. We were created for community living. No, it doesn't mean you're out here looking for a whole herd of new friends....all the Introverts can breathe again! I know!!! I am one. We don't need a whole bunch of people in the inner circle of our hearts...but we need some, where 2 or 3 are gathered, including Jesus. So, at least one human!
I believe isolation is a trap of the enemy. We were created as parts of a whole...we need community. Within that community, there will be heart-shaped circles. There can be circles of interest and circles of trust.
Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." God invites us to explore the transformative potential of authentic Christian friendships. Imagine two swords being sharpened against each other. The process isn't always smooth or comfortable, but it's necessary for both to become more effective. We glean from rubbing up against one another, edifying the heart, mind and soul of the person in order to grow, allowing God to chisel, refine, love the other, with His love, through us as His trusted instrument. Cuz really, we are not growing to grow our own Kingdom...we are going to grow His Kingdom come!
Let's talk How To Create circles....
Wisdom and discernment are two ways we create healthy boundaries for circles to be created, and properly cared for.
Circles of interest:
Things we have in common, such a Mom Life, Work or Ministry Life, Hobbies, Community Groups, etc. These circles can be any size.
Circles of trust:
Over the years, wisdom helped me create and cultivate inner circles for trust...the deeper the trust, the closer into the deeper part of my heart they could enter in to where the space is smaller, smaller because it needs greater care, energy, vulnerability, and trust.
How many?!?
There's not an approved number of how many people can be in our closest space. I believe everyone will be different and every season will be different. Ultimately, it is the Lord who brings hearts together, so He will lead us to those Divinely led relationships in His timing, according to His perfect will for them, nd for us.
Real Christian friendships involve mutual growth. It is not selfish or self-seeking.So, how do we nurture these iron-sharpening friendships?
- Cultivate Vulnerability: Open your heart to trusted friends. Share your struggles, doubts, and victories. This vulnerability creates space for genuine connection and growth.
- Practice Active Listening: Really hear your friends. Listen not just to respond, but to understand. This deepens empathy and strengthens bonds.
- Offer Graceful Truth: When you see a friend straying from God's path, speak truth in love. It might be uncomfortable, but it's an act of genuine care.
- Encourage Spiritual Disciplines: Pray together, study Scripture together, serve together. These shared experiences deepen your friendship and your faith.
- Celebrate Growth: Rejoice in each other's spiritual victories, no matter how small. This fosters a positive environment for continued growth.
- Extend Grace: Remember, we're all works in progress. Be quick to forgive and slow to judge.
- Commit to Consistency: Deep friendships aren't built overnight. Regular, intentional time together is crucial.
Remember, the goal isn't perfection, but progress. As you sharpen each other, as His Instruments, you both become more effective tools in God's hands. It's also important to recognize that different friendships may serve different purposes in our lives. Some friends might challenge us intellectually, others emotionally or spiritually. Every person is an appointment in our life and the assignment will become clearer the more you walk together.
As you navigate these friendships, it goes without saying, keep Christ at the center. He is the One who allowed them for such a time as this. He is the ultimate example of a perfect friend – loving unconditionally, speaking truth in love, gentle, kind, hope-filled, faithful, guarding, self-controlled, wise and intentional. This is the kind of friend I want to be too. I am not perfect, no one is, but in prayer nd petition and ll the grace in the world, we are invited to create heart shaped circles in our life!
In cultivating these iron-sharpening, heart-softening friendships, we not only enrich our own lives but also strengthen the body of Christ. As we grow together, we shine God's light in the world around us s one of His Lights to lead and show The Way.
Let's pray: Lord, thank you for the gift of friendship nd ultimately, Yours. Lord, we seek Sisters to do life with. Help us to be friends who sharpen and encourage one another in faith. Guide our words and actions to reflect Your love. May we be a sweet aroma to You as we stir one another's heats in Your Name. Because of Your Sweetest of Love, Amen.
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
Most High. This two simple words, Most High, almost escaped me of their power and meaning. I am so glad God didn't allow that.
Over the past year, I have been studying the Psalms for the names of God. Each time I came across a description of Who He was, I'd write it down. What a beautiful page to read at the end of my study time.
After writing them close to a hundred times in my journal, I was becoming numb to them..."Here they are again...(writing)...Most....H-i-g-h. My brain read “yada yada.”
God
LORD
Maker
Almighty
God of Jacob
my Refuge
my Portion
God of heaven
Lord of lords
God of gods
Mighty One
The Lord is God
God of my salvation
Holy One
God my King
Father of the fatherless
Protector of widows
God...Most...High
Most...High
While I didn't want to write it down, I couldn't not write it down. It didn't make sense to me why I needed to write the same one sooooo many times, until now. I get it. God clearly wanted me to know Who was Most High. So, I looked up the definitions.
According to Webster's Dictionary:
most: greatest in amount or degree; to the greatest extent; extremely; very
high: far above ground, sea level, or another point of reference; extending above the normal or average level; great, or greater than normal, in quantity, size or intensity; morally or culturally superior
Wow. The God I seek to know is the God, Most-High. He is far above my point of reference, greater in quantity and intensity than all else, and He is superior. He is extremely God. He is superior to the greatest extent! This is my God! He is above all!
May we remember Who we are seeking after and Who we call LORD our God. He is High above our circumstances. He is Higher than the battle we are fighting. He is Most capable. God, is Most High.
Two simple words to describe the Greatest Power and Authority over all the heavens and the earth. No one and no thing is above Him. He's the Highest. He's the Most.
God, thank You for pressing these words into my spirit. When I feel strong, I praise You for giving me the Most power to conquer what comes against me.
When I feel weak, I praise You for rescuing me from the pit and taking me Higher.
Forgive me for the times I minimize Your Greatness, You are God Most High, my Salvation, my Refuge and my Strength.
God, You are Higher than any other. I trust You to protect and provide for me all that I need. Who else is as great as You!
I praise Your name and am thankful for Your intense Love. I know You Love me More.
Help me love You back the same.
Help Your children remember to never become numb to You.
Forgive us for making You too familiar, common, or small, bringing You down to our human point of reference, for You are to the greatest extent, Most High. Amen.
"Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!
For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.
Psalm 47
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
Who even thinks about praising God in the midst of a crisis or more specifically, a panic attack? Panic/anxiety attacks are no joke.
You literally feel like you’re having a heart attack....tight chest, pain shooting down the left arm, shallow breath, echo chamber with static in your head and swirly mental balance, ready to fall down or run you aren't sure.
What you are sure about is feeling like you are about to die and you can't help but wonder where is God!
If you suffer from these I’m so sorry. I did too. While I wouldn’t wish it on anyone and I pray I never return to it, I am grateful for the new life birthed. God our Redeemer showed me how to turn my life of worry and panic into a life of praise.
The tears sowed in this season were the seedlings God used to grow my personal growth and writing journey.
God set me on a path of healing in my life I didn’t even know I needed healing from.
This is the grace of God. He won’t stand by and let us dwell helpless in a pit, playing small, thinking we are insignificant when He has created us for a fruitful life with Divine purpose.
So how do we praise God in the midst of a crisis or panic attack? How do we worship in our worry?
Eventhough I grew up in church and knew all the Bible Stories and participated in every Bible Study on a Tuesday night, served on Church Staff for years…I struggled in the beginning to praise and worship. I was scared, mad, sad, confused.
Day by day, God graciously chiseled at the thick brick wall fear and I had co-built around my heart for so many years. I was blind, but then I began to see.
Could I trust Him to be my shield?
Could I trust Him to never leave me or forsake me?
Would His grace ever run out?
Am I worth His time?
Every morning at 3am, I woke up with my heart racing and mind spinning. My soul cried out every morning, “Why have You forsaken me Lord, I have lived my entire life surrendered to You, desiring to serve You, live life happily with You my Best Friend, the only One I trust in all the world. I need You. Is this it?! Am I done serving You here? Are You done with me?”
In these morning cries for answers, His voice became more clear to me and with every breath, I felt The Be Still and Know hold me. It was this season, God showed me His heart's hug.
My healing wasn’t just one thing that “fixed” me. There are no magic pills, prayers, potions or lotions, but there are amazing resources, the main one being Jesus, but also healing helps through people and products.
Alongside seeking outside help, here are some of the simple every day life things I did. Maybe they will help you too as you seek your next best steps.
- Pray without ceasing, rejoicing always, giving thanks in all circumstances.
- Wake Up and Go To Sleep every night with Gratitude, blessings proclaimed (worship)
- Ask God to bring supporting Sisters to you who will cover you with wisdom, prayer and strength
- Research healthy lifestyles - nutrition, exercise. mindset, daily habits, boundaries, journaling, worship, etc
- Limit sugars and caffeines, get good sleep, honor your Temple
- Find calm moments in your day, every day to be still and breathe
- Practice acceptance, surrender, trust and meditation
- Embrace Grace!! Create space for grace in your heart and home!
I no longer panic, praise God my Healer! I pray that for you too! Friend, because He lives and created all things, we have everything we need, we just need to let Him lead us to it.
You’re not alone and today is a new day full of mercies and grace, let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Friend, God does not waste your tears and trials. They are refining fires, seedlings with purpose. Trust His heart is for you and He loves you!
In Jesus Name, you are soooo held, loved, seen, sealed and protected by the Blood. Trust Him by His Word and worship that devil out as you rest, read, trust and surrender in the power and peace of Christ our Savior. Amen.
God loves You and He’s Got you!
Heart Hugs,
Michele
If today's encouragement hugged your HEART today, let me know in the comments or meet me over
in my Facebook Sisterhood Community! Feel free to share this blog with a friend who needs a heart hug too!
This is how YOU get to hug my HEART back!
Heart Hugs and Blessings,
Michele
