COOL, CALM AND COLLECTED
Any day can spin out of control and get messy if we are not on alert. People, situations, meetings, and events can be a set-up for drama, sabotage, and chaos—you know what I mean!
They can create moments and opportunities for us to get off the chair. What do I mean by that? We sit in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6), right? Raised with Jesus, sitting with Him. That chair is comfortable! From there, we see people, the testing, the challenges, and the situations for what they really are. From a higher perspective—the way God sees things. That’s going to make the difference.
“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,”
Yes! We must pay attention to what’s happening in us and around us—keeping ourselves in check. Peace is an indicator! Something is probably not right when I stop feeling cool, calm and collected. If I ignore how I feel, I could get in trouble reasonably soon. I am learning this more and more.
“As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work... fully perform all the duties of your ministry.”
We all “minister” to people in one way or another! But how can we do it well? People, things, and situations can make our hearts go under pressure. We must remember that there may be influences working behind the scene.
Have you ever been around someone with pain, unbearable pain? How they feel, act, talk, and react is not usual. They are easily irritable. After all, they are in pain. Not only do they feel the pain themselves, but they can also become “painful!” to others around them. Is it really their fault they are being grumpy or aggravated? That influence at work in them is making them act like that.
So think of this when you encounter a situation. Suddenly, someone else’s influence (like pain, in this case) can impacts us, irritate us. You say green, and they hear red. Now, you find yourself at a stop sign. Don’t get off the chair... be ready to respond, not react. Pay attention!
What if it’s not pain, it is jealousy? That’s an evil influence. That person is now suspicious, irritated, on guard. Or maybe it is anger, stress, or depression?
People “under the influence” can put us under pressure. You and I can put others under pressure when we are under pressure. We cannot ignore it. Remember, we don’t fight against flesh and blood… It is not necessarily the person… it is what’s influencing them. Ask the Helper (Holy Spirit) to show you how to do war in the Spirit. Stand against the influence not the person.
Yesterday morning started with a warning. It was as if God sat down to love on me with timely advice and essential reminders. These are for every day. We must sharpen our spiritual senses. Stay with me! I have a few ways to help you overcome situations when you are around difficult people.
TIMELY ADVICE
Stay Cool, Calm, and Collected
Proverbs 17:27 can change your perspective! Most of us can relate to the profoundness of it. Proverbs 17:27 makes sure we stay sitting on that heavenly chair where we belong. At any moment, we can encounter another human being! It is wise to examine what’s going on in our hearts.
“Can you bridle your tongue when your heart is under pressure? That’s how you show that you are wise. An understanding heart keeps you cool, calm, and collected, no matter what you’re facing.”
Words and actions can change the atmosphere for good or bad. I know you know that! But many times we forget. Someone can say or do something that can challenge or trigger us. If we are not cool, calm and collected, it can quickly push us out of the chair—getting us in trouble.
Be on alert! Be conscious of what is going on around you and in you. We must pay attention to anything affecting our soul (mind, will, and emotions) and also our body. One great question is: “Why do I feel like I feel?” You are not asking that to yourself. That’s for Holy Spirit to answer. He is ready to show us. Be ready to listen and take action—this could be to repent, forgive, be quiet, etc.
Be careful not to make an awesome moment into an emotional mess. Be led by the Spirit (Galatians 5:18). That’s why it is so important to stay alert. Being aware of what could try to influence both you and anyone else. That’s when knowing what you are dealing with (discernment) and having an understanding heart comes in handy. Be sure to match God’s perspective (what His Word says) on things—it will keep you cool, calm and collected.
Evil influences (not people, see Ephesians 6:12) can make us trip or fall. They can restraining us from feeling and showing love to one another. When in doubt, choose love, compassion, gentleness, joy, peace, etc.
“For our struggle is not against human opponents, but against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers in the darkness around us, and evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm.”
Wait a minute! That means the fight, the struggle is not against your husband, daughter, son, parents, the neighbor, the cousin, the co-worker, or the person in the other room... Something is influencing the space, the person, or the moment.
Pause and think about that! Influences like anger, jealousy, stress or depression, disappointment, pride, gossip, etc., are some of the influences that can quickly create conflict. Bad habits and old ways of thinking can also get in the way. You are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). You belong to Christ. In Him, with Him, and through Him you are a new person. How do we stay cool, calm and collected?
ESSENTIALS + REMINDERS
Practice to be who you are (in Christ).
Be loving, patient, kind, gentle, and self-controlled.
Dead to sin (anyone who has died has been set free from sin (Romans 6:7), and alive in Christ (Romans 6:11).
Empowered to do anything with and through Christ (Philippians 4:13).
Be respectful. Don’t get so familiar that you cannot respect the anointing.
Don’t get off the chair (Ephesians 2:6).
Guard your heart (Proverbs 4:23) and atmosphere.
Stay attentive to any attitude or influence in you.
Perceive when something can try to disturb and disrupt you or the people around you.
Use your authority in Christ. If something is up and the atmosphere is charged with negativity—command evil, negative influences to stand down or go (Mark 5:8) in the Name of Jesus.
Declare a state of peace (Say it, “Peace in this place.”) wherever you are and wherever you go (Luke 10:5). Jesus did it. He told His disciples to do it. We should do it too!
Listen more than you talk!
Too much talk can get you in trouble (Proverbs 21:23).
Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and even slower to be angry (James 1:19).
Speak a blessing over yourself, your family, and the people surrounding you.
It’s never a good time to throw or receive darts of shame, guilt, or condemnation. Don’t get off the chair! If you get hit with it, deal with it privately. Repent, forgive, and forget as quickly as possible.
Shut up! Even fools look wise when they shut their mouth (Proverbs 17:28). Let’s be wise…this may be the most brilliant way to handle anybody in the room.
Smile.
Stay focused on God’s goodness (Psalm 119:68).
Your smile can dismantle many things. It can fight against sadness and handle unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness easier than you might think.
Knowing God loves you and translating that into a smile is powerful. This can be one of your superpowers!
This life is short.
Enjoy it! Stay flexible. Be wise with your time—enjoy and appreciate every moment as it comes (Psalm 90:12).
It’s not all about you. Whatever you must do, whoever you have to meet, look with the eyes of Jesus.
Love like you never have before—the way you love is recorded throughout eternity. I think we are all on that more than anything else! Think of this: what if when you get to Heaven, the only question you will be asked is, “Did you love well?”
“The way you love is recorded throughout eternity.”
Stay thankful in all things.
Thanksgiving is a way of living. be thankful in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). You will be surprised how being grateful puts a stop to complaining. That goes for us and anybody around us. It is hard to complain and be thankful both at the same time.
Love and accept people right where they are.
We are all a work in progress (Philippians 1:6). You can be sure that the good work God started in you, He is doing it in them too. Having an understanding heart is key!
Stay cool, calm, and collected when the parking lot is full. Can’t find parking? Turn the music up—sing a little louder while you wait. You finally find that excellent parking spot, the person gets in the car, but the car is not backing up yet… is not moving. Give them grace—think the best of people (1 Corinthians 13). I take my time to connect my phone, get the seatbelt on, and do a few things before I start driving.
Staying cool, calm, and collected is easier when we learn to pace ourselves with Holy Spirit. It is vital to spend time in secret with God. Pacing with Him is super important. You get the revelation in secret and practice the pace in public. You don’t tell that to anybody, it should show!
Make time to be alone with God. Shut down the noise (phone, tv, social media, family, etc.)—just you and God.
He will calm you with His love (Zephaniah 3:17 TPT).
Allow God to sing over you and calm you with His love. Let go and relax!
The Word of God is continual conversation with Him. Stay with it! His words will transform you from the inside out.
No matter what you are facing… Let God calm you with His love. I pray you receive more wisdom, revelation, and understanding so that you can think, talk, act, and walk through any situation, cool, calm, and collected.
Anyone who meets you will be changed because no one can meet Jesus and not be changed. This is your season to glow like never before.
#Don’t get off the chair!
Christina
7-DAY IMMERSION CHALLENGE
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Kickstart your day and this new season with a cool, calm, and collected attitude! Check out my new online or in-person course. Go through the DEEMED NECESSARY Connection—encountering God, hearing His voice, and knowing Him more intimately has to be a priority. To see more, click here!