The last several years God has been leading me through a valley, a long and seemingly unending one. It seems as soon as one situation resolves; another one pops up. These difficulties demand a response. Many times, it’s not so much a response of physical action as it is a response of the spirit. For me, it took about two years before I came to a place of beginning to learn healthy and, even more importantly, Biblical emotional choices.
“Spirit” in this article is defined as “a temper or disposition of the mind or outlook.” The Bible mentions several types of spirits that God has been teaching me. Two are more general for everyone and two are specifically given for us ladies.
Before it is of any value to discuss what a Biblical and healthy spirit is, it is essential that we understand that it is a choice. It is not a result of circumstances. It will not come upon us on a whim. As young ladies, especially, we find it very easy to be driven by emotions. But most emotions that “drive” us are not healthy. A Biblical spirit is a result of conscious—not emotional, circumstance-driven—choices. If we let them, unhealthy emotions can become monstrous and pull us downward to many undesirable places such as depression, bitterness, and immorality. In response, God calls us to intentionally choose the type of spirit that is defined in the Bible.
A Broken Spirit
For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite [crushed] and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones –Isaiah 57:15.
Above all else, it is essential that we choose to become broken. It is hard to stress the importance of this enough. If we do not allow ourselves to become broken, we are opening the door for all manner of negative emotions, reactions, and, especially, sin.
Brokenness is a difficult, almost impossible choice to make on our own. Often God leads us into difficult situations where we must make a choice—either godly brokenness, or something unhealthy like anger or discouragement. Brokenness strips everything away. It requires us to surrender our control over bad things such as sickness or disappointment and over good things like our desires for the future. Brokenness means we give God control of everything; we keep nothing. Most times deep brokenness doesn’t happen all at once; it’s a painful journey in which we give up, and give up, and give up again. Without becoming bitter. Without losing faith in God. In fact, the times of crushing are when we choose to believe good things of God even if there seems to be no good reason to.
Brokenness is a choice—a very difficult one which paves the way for God to receive glory, since it is the process of eliminating self. It also makes it possible for other finer qualities to reveal themselves.
A Sober Spirit
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, [and] be sober… –1 Peter 1:13.
The definition of “sober” in this verse is “to be calm and collected in spirit; to be temperate, dispassionate.” This is an intriguing word. According to this verse, we are commanded to be calm and collected in spirit. As young ladies, we know how easy and even automatic it is to let our feelings about situations and circumstances spiral out of control.
For myself, I was at a place of limbo and uncertainty, and I was so discouraged that I could hardly go on. I could not focus on important things like work and reaching out to others. While studying this verse, God convicted me that, yes, even though I was in a very dark time, His command to me was to be calm and not let my raging emotions control. He brought me to a place where I had to choose, moment by moment, to take control of my spirit. I found that as I chose God’s way, He gave me the grace to live accordingly, resulting in a much more stable and restful spirit.
So, take heart in the dark times! Choose to respond to circumstances in God’s way. As He refines your spirit and your character, He also wants to receive the glory for it. This is a journey God is taking me on, and I’m thankful to Him for continuing to patiently break and shape my spirit for His glory.
A Meek Spirit
But let it be … the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit… –1 Peter 3:4.
In many ways a meek spirit is a yielded spirit. It is a spirit that is totally under the control of Almighty God. It does not fight unpleasant circumstances or strive to make life “better.” But neither is it a passive, “roll with punches”, cowering attitude. Actually, this spirit denotes someone who has gifts and abilities, is trained and effective, and could be very useful to the work of the church, yet is in complete subjection to God, moving only at His will.
A Quiet Spirit
But let it be … the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit… –1 Peter 3:4.
A quiet and restful spirit is an amazing quality. It is not humanly possible to achieve. When you see this spirit in someone, you can know it comes from a heart of brokenness. According to Isaiah, it is a choice: …In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not –Isaiah 30:15.
A quiet spirit and a meek spirit go hand in hand. It is an attitude of sitting back and letting God lead—whether exciting or boring, whether easy or difficult—and not resisting Him in any way.
There are times when we feel very disquieted in spirit, and it’s not possible to pull ourselves out of it by sheer willpower. But the Word of God is life-giving, and by studying the promises of God we can receive peace and rest for our spirits, as well as courage and grace to go on. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope –Psalms 16:8, 9.
