I’m in the Navy, a Chief Petty Officer. I’ve been in the Navy for 18 years, met my husband via the Navy, and a few of my most dear friends. I love the Navy….it has given me many good times and happy memories. But as a Christian woman, sometimes the Navy is hard. I’m sure you’ve all heard the old adage “cussing like a sailor.” Well, it’s just not language that can be crude, but the actions can be overboard, too.
As human beings, we want so badly to fit into our surroundings, to be accepted. I’m no different. I want my brothers and sisters in arms to trust me, to feel like I’m one of them….part of the team. So sometimes, I go along with the flow of the conversation, knowing that it is against God’s Spirit, that I’m falling right into the speech and innuendo that isn’t of God.
Let’s look at Matthew 15:7-11 {NIV}
“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.” Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth that is what defiles them.”
Isn’t it funny that I hate hypocrisy in other people, but couldn’t see it in myself? Then about 18 months ago, God had really laid this fault of mine on my heart. He used my own thoughts and words against me to get me to realize what I was doing, showed me my own “double-dealing” ways. God is like that, isn’t He? I still struggle with trying to fit in, but in times where I find myself being dragged into a situation not pleasing to God, more and more often I use humor to move the conversation in a different direction and SOMETIMES I’m able to speak the truth to those with whom I work.
Let me ask you, sisters….where are you “going with the flow?” Can you identify an area where you are allowing yourself to follow the gang instead of doing what you know would be pleasing to God?
My challenge to you is this: when you find yourselves in these situations, stop. Pause for a moment, ask yourself why are you doing this, and let go of the ways of the world. Let God show you the right way to handle these everyday situations that we all find ourselves in. Make it a point to choose God instead!
Amanda Hughes ~ Living God’s Portions {a ministry of The Imperfect Wives}
I have been like this in my life. It is hard because we are meant for relationship. I am a military wife myself, and it is hard to not to try and fit in when you feel alone when moving, or your current friends move away. I know that for me, I never like myself when I try to “fit in” with everyone else, and be like everyone else to fit in. God has been dealing with this for me for awhile now, and I must keep going back to Him for direction.
You’re not alone Debbie,
God has been dealing with me in this area as well… for a while too! I’m a navy brat & surrounded by that “sailor” language, even though we’re not military – it’s everywhere. My husband drives & delivers coffee as I currently stay home (maybe it all has something to do with docks? JK). Maybe need to go back & re-read the Shenanigans post!
Anywho, this is a very hard trait to overcome, “fitting in.” I try to remind myself that this is not our home & we’re to set ourselves apart from this world, even to the point that I think its the NIV version states we’re aliens here in this world. (Sorry not scholar.) I too try to remind my boys, especially my oldest as he now is leaving this July for Marine Reserves – we’re back to being a military family?!? Well no, he is b/c it’s cutting the cords time – but that’s a WHOLE other story! But sometimes I have to remind myself not to PUSH my children & need to PRAY more often, because they’re in God’s hands. & so are WE! I’m so thankful for His patience with us, the Holy Spirit’s nudging & drawing us back home to who He wants us to be!
Great post, Amanda! Love your honesty. We have all been there. I have regretted many times not standing up for the truth and righteousness. Thank you for exposing yourself so we can grow and please the Lord even in those trying times. We will bless us as we obey Him and put Him first.
Amanda,
Thank you, indeed – as Deborah pointed out – for your honesty. As I shared with Debbie & all here in my reply to her, I too fight this daily. As well as being my own worst enemy, allowing the enemy to drop lies around so I won’t fight. (Hope that makes sense) The biggest eye-opener lately has been the reminder in the Word that we’re not to fight alone. Jesus is in us & fight’s for us. But I think I have to allow Him to work in me!??? I have stand firm, staying in His Word, so I am reminded of it & protected by it to keep moving on through this journey here on earth, being the best example I can be for the day – but don’t beat myself up (too much) at the end of it.
Again, thanks so much for sharing & your honesty, Heather (HLJourney)
Wonderful post Amanda! Thank you for sharing your heart with us! I think we have all been there and most of us struggle with this in one way or another. That verse really spoke to me the other day, in a slightly different situation, but it had the same jarring effect to me when I read it. I literally flinched like I was hit. It hurts, but I love when God speaks to us like that and brings certain things to light fo us!!