I’ve been coming across the word “circumstance” quite a lot lately in my reading and in my meditations. Perhaps it’s the fast that has brought it to mind, since part of the purpose of it for myself and those joining me is to see a change in our circumstances.
I love words. I love languages, grammar, spelling, love breaking things down and finding meaning. I even like to scan the dictionary sometimes for words I don’t know. And one day the meaning of circumstance just came to me (via the Holy Spirit’s revelation). Circum means around, as in circumvent, circumnavigate, and circumference. Stance means exactly what it says: where you stand. Therefore, circumstances are simply what is around or surrounding where you stand.
Ephesians 6:11-18 NIV
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
You have to ask yourself three questions in any given circumstance: 1) What does God say about it? 2) What does the devil say about it? 3) What are you going to say about it?
Don’t give your surroundings power over your stance.
