It’s been a while since I have written, due to a dry spell and lack of motivation to write, but as I have sat back and observed what is going on in the body of Christ, and talked to the Lord about what He is saying in this season, I was made aware of the connections between what was going on in the natural, as pertains to the spiritual. I found many changes I needed to make in my life, in my attitude, and in the way I communicate with others. Familiar thoughts, ways, and attitudes were presented to me in a different light, and I began to see these things from Heaven’s perspective.  I believe what the Lord has been revealing to me, is not only for me, but for many others as well.

First off, the Lord has been speaking about assumptions. I’ve noticed that in America, assumptions have generally ruled the way we live. Decisions are made solely upon our assumptions, and our assumptions affect our attitudes and our everyday living. We tend to assume things about others based on how we feel, how we were raised, how we perceive them, and through lenses of hurt and trauma. We have failed to communicate properly with each other; we have failed to listen with the intent of understanding.

Our lack of communication skills rarely bring us before those we have a problem with, in attempt to find the truth of the matter, and a possible solution. Oftentimes, it’s easier to look at the way things appear, assume we know what’s going on, why they acted the way they did, and we begin to assume the worst. Instead of seeing our brothers and sisters in Christ as children of God, instead of using proper discernment, and instead of operating from a place of love, we instead begin to judge with unrighteous judgments – judging externally- and we begin to view others, including those we love, as the enemy. John 7:24 states, “Do not judge by the outward appearance, but judge with righteous judgment,” (NASB). When judging by outward appearances, we fail to make the separation between flesh and blood, and the spirit realm. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  Our assumptions can quickly turn into hatred and ungodly divisions if left unchecked.  Assumptions change the way we view a person, and can have either a positive, or negative, impact on how we treat them. For instance, my resting face tends to make me look intimidating and upset. I cannot tell you how many times I sat staring off into space, lost in thought, and others assumed I was upset. I would watch as their assumptions began to change the way they responded to me. Instead of being warm and loving, and speaking kindly, they would respond harshly and in a defensive way.  A typical response for someone who has been previously hurt and is operating in assumption, is for them to pull away and give the silent treatment.

Many years ago, there was a girl I attended church with who assumed I was mad at her. We were at a festival downtown, and she apparently waved at me, but I didn’t see her. She was offended when I didn’t acknowledge her, and she assumed I didn’t like her, so she pulled away. It was a couple years later that I found out from her mother she was harboring unnecessary resentment toward me – all because I failed to see her in the crowd, and due to the assumption that I chose not to wave back because I didn’t like her. It was all false assumptions. I desired to be her friend!

At times, when asked if I’m upset, I will respond with a no, yet I’m met with disbelief. Why they choose to not believe me, I don’t know. What I do know is, assumptions can create within a person the very thing that has been assumed about them. When people refuse to believe that I’m not mad, and then begin to hound me, asking time and time again “What’s wrong?”  pretty soon I begin to feel that anger begin to well up inside of me. Assumptions can manifest either negative or positive responses, and can be detrimental to the body of Christ. Assumptions can hurt, and leave otherwise emotionally healthy people wounded.

                In this season, God is purifying our character and bringing about a deep repentance. This goes beyond the obvious well-known sins, and targets what has been hidden deep within our souls; we may not even be aware of most of what is about to come to the surface, and we may be shocked at what we find.

I was shocked when the Lord showed me just how corrupted our speech is. In Western culture, we’ve all been trained differently on how to speak, and our speech and communication skills differ greatly from one person to the next, and from one nationality to the other. Our parents, our grandparents, our teachers, and even our friend group, heavily influence the way we speak, and how we communicate with each other. Our speech is processed through our likes, our dislikes, our proclivities, our wounds, and through the various encounters we’ve had – whether good or bad. Through wounding, we’ve lost our natural ability to communicate effectively to those around us, and our ability to minster effectively to those God has sent us to help. It’s as if we need to learn to talk all over again.

Part of communication involves listening closely – without listening through preconceived ideas, or a spirit of offense. Honestly, what I’m saying is nothing new. However, I’ve noticed it coming to the forefront in this season, and we have a decision to make – allow God to do a mighty work in us, which will preserve us in a time of trouble and persecution, or allow ourselves to be overwhelmed and taken out by our own bad attitudes? When fully mature, sin brings about death, and I believe the United States is in a fully mature “sin state.” It has become obvious that even those who do not believe in Christ Jesus are sensing something, and they’re becoming afraid. I’m going to go off topic just a little here, but don’t worry, I’ll bring it back around, and it will make sense.

A common theme I’ve been seeing is people announcing that it’s time to get our houses in order, and to stockpile supplies. They’re anticipating war, death, famine, you name it, and they’re searching for various ways to preserve their lives. “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it,” Matthew 10:39 NLT.

                Life is about more than food and drink; it’s about more than being entertained and comfortable. Life is about following and loving on the One who created us. We’re on the training grounds of eternity and destined either for Heaven, or Hell. Make no mistake, each and every one of us will live for eternity in one of those two places. During our training here on earth, we are learning to submit fully to God, and resist the devil. The devil comes to kill, steal, and destroy, but God has come to give us life, and life more abundantly (John 10:10). If we ever expect to walk in love, and represent Jesus to a dying world, then we need to surrender to a deeper cleansing. People are going to come to us, ridden with emotional wounds and trauma, and we do not want to add to the pain, but alleviate the pain, and bring healing to those areas. In order to help them effectively, we need to be in a position where we can listen effectively, without allowing ourselves to respond prematurely, or react in a negative way. Sometimes, wounded people can say things that will shock us, or cause us to feel afraid, but if we give in to those emotions, and begin to react negatively, it can cause them to shut down, and/or become angry and lash out.

                What resides deep within us can be triggered by the emotional state, and demons, of others. A great shaking is taking place as the Lord is causing us to see what is actually dwelling on the inside of us such as: hidden wounds, religious spirits, anger, tendencies to gossip, racism, you name it. Looking at our imperfections hurts, and it can be a hard pill to swallow, but it’s necessary in our walk to becoming more like Jesus. “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you fail to meet the test!” 2 Corinthians 13:5.

                To wrap this up, God is preparing His body, not only bring in the harvest, but to also help them heal emotionally. This thing is way deeper than we tend to hear in a Sunday morning service. Not many will address the topic of good character, communication, or emotional healing. In order for us to effectively help the emotionally wounded, and traumatized individuals, we need to be in a good place ourselves. Yes, God can still use us in whatever state we’re in, but we are protected, and our emotions are protected, when we’re healed, walking closely to the Lord, and able to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh. It is imperative that we learn how to properly communicate with those around us. It’s imperative that we do not assume false things about them that will drive us away from those who the Lord sent for us to help. It’s imperative that we steer clear of judging external, outward appearances. Things aren’t always as they seem. Just because it doesn’t look like what we’re used to, does not mean it’s wrong, and just because we feel a certain way does not mean our feelings are correct. It’s important we seek out the truth.

“’These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another, and love no false oath, for all these things I hate, declares the Lord.’” Zechariah 8:16-17

Let’s pray. Father God, I thank you for giving us the ability to communicate with each other. I ask that you reveal your heart to us and enable us to see others as you see them. Give us a heart for your people, and the ability to see truth. We repent of making unrighteous judgments, assuming false things about your people, and of making false accusations. Holy Spirit, reveal to us any false assumptions that we’ve made about others, and show us the truth. Help us to let your light shine brightly in our lives, that others may be drawn to it and find healing and restoration. In Jesus’s name we pray. Amen.