The Lioness and the Ladies: Ep.8: The Lioness Moves in Silence — Strength Through Strategic Quietness

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Welcome to the Diary of a Black Woman podcast. I'm your host,

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Connie Morris, and this is Faith on the Go, where you take the word with you on your drive to work,

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while you're getting ready in the morning, or even in those quiet moments before prayer.

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Real life, real word, and real growth, all while you are on the go.

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Before we get into today's word, let's take a moment to center ourselves with a familiar prayer.

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The prayer of Jabez.

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Oh, that you will bless me indeed and enlarge my territory.

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Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.

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Father God, we come before you this day asking that you will indeed bless us,

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not just with what we have, but in who we are becoming.

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Enlarge our territory, Lord. Lord, expand our capacity, our mindset,

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and our ability to receive what you have for us.

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Let your hand be upon us, guiding us, covering us, and leading us in every decision we make.

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And Father, keep us from harm, physically, emotionally, and spiritually,

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that we may walk in peace and not in pain.

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And Lord, just as you heard Jabez when he cried out to you, hear us now.

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Your word says that you granted his request, and we believe that you are the same God today.

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So we come boldly before you, knowing that you hear us, knowing that you see

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us, and knowing that you respond to the prayers of your people.

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Have your way in this moment as we sit, listen, and receive your word.

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In Jesus' name, amen.

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Hello and welcome back to Diary of a Black Woman podcast. I'm your host Connie

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Morris and today we're on episode nine, day the lioness moves in silence.

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Not everything needs to be announced.

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This, today's spiritual focus is on discretion, humility, and strategic silence.

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If we can move in strategic silence, I believe God can get a lot of things done

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through us because many times us as women.

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We love to brag and boast about what God is doing, but we haven't done anything.

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It's something he planted in our hearts. We haven't even started it,

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but we're bragging and boasting. We can say it's faith. I'll take that.

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But it's faith when you put it to action.

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You know, talking about it and using your faithful words is awesome.

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But God is not one to waste time and effort. He wants something done.

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And there's scripture on that. Nehemiah, if you read the book of Nehemiah.

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Nehemiah had prayed because he wanted to build a wall. He went to his leader.

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He asked for permission to go build the wall.

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He gave an estimate time. He says, I don't know. I'm going to,

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when I finished the wall, I'll return.

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He didn't go out and guesstimate the wall. He didn't say, I'll be back in 30, 60, 90, a hundred days.

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No. He said, when I'm finished, I'll return because they didn't want to give an estimate time.

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But how many know when Nehemiah started that wall, He finished it in record time.

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He finished it in 52 days.

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Why? Because he had that word on his heart, in his heart, in his mind,

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and he did not alert the enemy on what he was going to do.

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He just did it. And when things came up on his journey, guess what? He handled it.

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Why? Because he was still connected to God. It wasn't going to be an easy task,

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but dang, he worked with God and broke through in record time.

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And so I know that God desires us to do some stealthy, strategic moves, but he needs us to.

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Shut our mouths, be silent, use strategic silence to accomplish it.

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So we can ride under the radar of the enemy and then boom, it gets done.

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Once it's completed, guess what? He can't stop it, but he can stop it on the

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journey there. So we can't be all talk and no action.

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So I want to read from the Amplify Classic version.

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I love this version because it's very detail and very wordy.

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But it gives you a large picture of exactly what this virtuous woman is.

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Let's go to verse 10. A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman,

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who is he who can find her? Isn't that powerful?

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That word is not in the other translations we read.

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It says, who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and

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her value is far above rubies or pearls.

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Verse 11, the heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and

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believes in her securely so that he has no lack of honest gain or need of a dishonest spoil.

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So happy husband, happy life.

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That means this husband says, I don't have to rely on doing anything illegal

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to satisfy, to provide for you.

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Because I trust in you, I can actually be productive at work and we will make

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it work with what we have, right?

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Many men think they don't make enough money. Many women walk around like they don't need a man.

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But yet this man in verse 11 says the heart of her husband trusts her in her

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and in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely.

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He has secure interest in her.

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So that he has no lack of honest gain or need of dishonest spoils.

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It's interesting because as I think about this, and this didn't come to my mind

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before I came on the air, but as a police officer, as a retired police officer,

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I've seen where this happens,

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where you meet a man, the women meet a man, and he's selling drugs or whatever

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he's doing illegally to provide for her to get her attention.

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He has to continue to do that to keep her. You understand that?

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Because she's expecting whatever, however I met you, I want this to continue.

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At the, even the loss of that person's freedom, they go to prison and then she

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moves on to the next one. Let's go to verse 12.

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She comforts, encourages, and

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does him only good as long as there is life within her. This is powerful.

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When we get married and we decide to get married, It says, to death do us part.

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We do not separate this relationship until one of us passes away or Jesus calls

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us home. You understand?

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So this first two, three verses, verse 10, 11, and 12, talks about this relationship

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that she has. And it's powerful.

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We're talking about strategic silence.

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Women who have a powerful relationship with their husband and their husbands

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with their wives, It's because they have the strategic silence that stays within the home.

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They don't go out bragging and boasting about things that happen in their household

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because it's their business.

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Why? Because it keeps the chaos down. It keeps the strangers,

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the extra women lurking around the room in the building in his face because

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his eyes is only for her and her eyes are only for him.

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And she committed with her heart that as long as I have life, I will love you. 13.

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She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands to develop it.

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So wool doesn't just come...

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Bite at the store. Wool is created what? From the sheep. Doesn't come off the sheep in a thread.

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It has to be created. It has to be developed. So that shows that she works hard

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with her hands. She's not afraid of the sheep.

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She's sure the sheep get the wool and get that sorted out and get it clean and

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then begin to make thread out of it.

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Taking that thread or that yarn and then create, create what?

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Clothing for her. She is like the merchant ship loaded with foodstuffs.

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She brings her household food from a far country.

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15. She rises while it's yet night and gets, this one says, spiritual food for

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her household and assigns her maiden their task.

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I love this because in the other translation, it doesn't mention that she gets

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her spiritual food. That's what's so important.

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She rises up after she's completed a whole day work

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She rises up and before she goes to bed, she is getting her spiritual food.

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She's reading her Bible.

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She's studying her word. She's memorizing scriptures.

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She might be finishing off a fast, planning a fast, planning her day in the evening.

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Verse 16, she considers a new field before she buys or accepts it,

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expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties.

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With her savings of time and strength, she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.

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So she's not out buying any land.

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She's examining the land. She's looking at it, checking it out.

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You know, when you get ready to buy a house, you go look at it at night.

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You look at it during the day.

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You ride through the neighborhood at different times to see what you're really working with.

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Because when you go to a house and you look at it during maybe noon or evening,

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you don't know what that neighborhood is.

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You don't know who lives there, who make the loudest noise at night.

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You just don't ride by there in a decent time. You go by there at the oddest

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times to see if this is a neighborhood that you want to work with.

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Another thing, work, what you want to live with, live in, neighborhood you want

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to live. We also see that she plants her fruitful vines in the vineyard.

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It didn't say that she hired somebody to do it. She knows the season when to plant.

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That means that she is excellent on timing. If she's good in verse 10,

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16, about knowing when to buy and knowing when to plant, she also knows when to be quiet.

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13, I mean, sorry, 17, she girds herself with strength, spiritual,

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mental, physical fitness for her God-given task and makes her arms strong and firm.

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I love this translation. Why? Because it's telling us some things that we didn't

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know in the last translation, that this lady is spiritually mature.

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She says she strengthened herself with spiritual, mental, and physical fitness

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for her God-given tasks.

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So she makes sure her mind is right, her emotions is right, and her body is

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tight so that she can go forth and do all the things that God has assigned for her to do.

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Number verse 18, she tastes and sees that her gain from her work with all for God is good.

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Her lamp does not go out, but it burns on continually through the night of trouble,

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privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust.

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What she does is so powerful that her lamp does not go out. What lamp is she's

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talking about? Her spiritual lamp.

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She stays alert even in the night hours.

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Now, people do need their rest, but she is not worried. She is not at fear. She is not fretful. Why?

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Because her life, her light is in God.

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Wow. 19. She lays her hands to the spindle and her hands holds the distaff.

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She opens her hands to the poor.

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Yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy, whether in body, mind, or spirit.

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So her prayer life consists of how do I meet the needs of others?

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Because she says she hands out, she lifts her hands that are full.

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So she gives money, she gives clothing, she gives food, whatever God has told her to do, she gives it.

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And if she's not giving it away, she's either working, it says whether in body

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or in mind, she's thinking about them or in spirit, she's praying about what

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do I need to do next to help the needy.

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She fears not the snow for her family, for all her households are doubly clothed

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in scarlet. She makes for herself coverlets. I love this right here.

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The scarlet reminds me, I want to back it up. The scarlet reminds me of when.

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Rahab asked, I think it was Joshua, can you protect me and my family?

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He said, yeah, I want you to at least put a long scarlet cloth out or a scarf

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so that we know which house that you are in.

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And that's identity, right? That's an identity.

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She fears not the snow of her family. Why? Because that scarlet can represent

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the blood of Jesus. And so she closed, doubly closed her family when they think

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weather gets rough, covers them in the blood of Jesus.

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And she puts a scarf out to let Jesus know I'm here, like the blood that they

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put on the doors during the Passover.

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She's saying, I'm here. I'm pleading the blood of Jesus over my family. We are not afraid.

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We are not afraid of the snow. We're not afraid of anything.

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Because with you, Jesus, you are my protector, my provider, my keeper.

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And you are the God that fights for me. Verse 22, she makes for herself coverlets.

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Cushions, and rugs of tapestry.

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Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple, such as that of which

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the clothing of the priest and the hallowed clothing of the temple were made. Wow.

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So she clothes herself in holy clothes. Wow.

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So it says, such as with the clothing of the priest and the hallowed clothing of the temple.

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So when they said that she dresses herself in pure and fine and a purple,

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she dresses herself in royalty, the royalty of a high priest,

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right? So what does a high priest does?

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A high priest intercedes for their people.

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23, her husband is known in the city gates.

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When he sits among the elders of the land, she makes fine linen garment and

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leads others to buy them.

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She delivers to the merchant girdles or sashes that free up for service.

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So she's not only a maker of product, she's a salesperson of products. 25.

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Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure.

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She rejoices over the future, the latter day or times have come,

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knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it.

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So I love that she is strong and secure for her future, for her family.

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She opens her mouth in skillful, godly wisdom, and on her tongue is a law of

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kindness, giving counsel and instruction.

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Not only is she a great boss, but they can come to her for wisdom,

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for counsel, for direction.

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Verse 27, she looks well to how things go in her household and the breath,

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bread of idleness, gossip, discontent, and self-pity.

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She will not eat.

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I have to repeat that because this is one of those open doors.

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If you don't clear this up, it can actually disrupt your home.

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But she doesn't have that disruption.

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Why? Because she looks well to how things go in her household and the bread of idleness.

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Idleness is gossip, discontent, and self-pity.

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It's so easy to fall into that because all you have one person call and say,

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you know, such and such, and talk about someone who maybe you don't even like

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or know, but you're adding to the gossip that you don't know or the discontent.

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You're adding to that noise.

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God says, no, she didn't do that.

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Verse 28, her children rise up and call her blessed, happy, fortunate to be envied.

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And her husband boasts up and praises her, saying this to her,

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many daughters have done virtually, nobly, and well with the strength of character

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that is steadfast in goodness, but you excel them all.

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He's bragging. He says, I've seen many women work as hard as you do,

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but you are the best for me.

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You are the best. In our final verse, verse 30.

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Charm and grace are deceptive and beauty is vain because it is not lasting,

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but a woman who reverently and worshiply fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

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That was in the Amplify Bible. How powerful was that?

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Let's continue. The lioness moves in silence. Not everything needs to be announced.

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Discretion, humility, and strategic silence. There are moments when speaking

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feels natural, when sharing, explaining, or announcing seems like the next step.

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Words come easily, and sometimes they come quickly, but not everything that

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begins needs to be spoken before it is established.

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There is a timing that is revealed in what is held, and I want to take you to

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Ecclesiastics chapter 3, because Ecclesiastics tells us that there's a timing

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and a season for everything.

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And I want to read that, too, because we forget that there's a timing and a season for everything.

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Ecclesiastics, chapter 3.

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And it starts at verse 7. Let's see what it says.

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If you have your Bible, you can come with me. I want to read from 1 through verse 10.

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And we'll pause at verse 7. It says, To everything there is a season,

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a time for every purpose under heaven, a time to be born, a time to die,

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a time to plant, a time to uproot what is planted, time to kill and a time to heal,

00:18:15.664 --> 00:18:20.004
time to break down and a time to build up, a time to weak and a time to laugh,

00:18:20.324 --> 00:18:22.144
a time to mourn and a time to die.

00:18:22.164 --> 00:18:25.724
Dance, a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones,

00:18:25.904 --> 00:18:28.904
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing.

00:18:29.144 --> 00:18:35.284
Verse 6, a time to gain and a time to lose, a time to keep and a time to cast away.

00:18:35.464 --> 00:18:39.724
In verse 7, a time to tear and a time to sow.

00:18:40.024 --> 00:18:44.344
It's a time to speak and a time to keep silence.

00:18:44.724 --> 00:18:49.884
In verse 8, a time to love and a time to hate, a time to war and a time of peace.

00:18:49.904 --> 00:18:52.524
The Bible says there is a time for everything.

00:18:53.184 --> 00:19:01.084
And right now for strategic, sometimes my tongue gets tied up,

00:19:01.564 --> 00:19:06.684
strategic silence. It says it's a time to keep silence and a time to speak.

00:19:06.944 --> 00:19:12.864
Now every moment is for speaking. There are seasons where silence is not absence, it's wisdom.

00:19:13.084 --> 00:19:18.984
Knowing when to hold what has been given matters as much as knowing when to release it.

00:19:19.284 --> 00:19:24.524
Proverbs 7, 28, it reads, I want to pull it from the Bible. I have it in my notes.

00:19:25.064 --> 00:19:31.084
Proverbs 17, verse 28, and that reads, even a fool when he holds his peace is

00:19:31.084 --> 00:19:37.664
counted wise, and he who shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding or

00:19:37.664 --> 00:19:38.944
a woman of understanding.

00:19:39.516 --> 00:19:43.656
So there is strength and restraint. Words carry weight. And once they are released,

00:19:43.776 --> 00:19:45.236
they cannot be gathered back.

00:19:45.556 --> 00:19:50.356
What is held in silence is often protected from those who are not ready to receive it.

00:19:50.576 --> 00:19:55.796
Matthew 6 says this, Be thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet,

00:19:56.016 --> 00:20:00.296
and thy Father, which seeth in secret, should reward thee openly.

00:20:00.456 --> 00:20:03.936
Matthew 6 says, There is a place where things grow quietly.

00:20:04.196 --> 00:20:08.376
Not everything is meant for public view. While it is still being formed.

00:20:08.736 --> 00:20:13.496
Come on now. What is built in secret often what stands in the open.

00:20:13.696 --> 00:20:18.116
So whatever you build in secret will last longer when exposed.

00:20:18.536 --> 00:20:22.356
So the lioness does not announce her movement. She does not reveal her position

00:20:22.356 --> 00:20:24.136
before the time is right.

00:20:24.356 --> 00:20:29.196
There is awareness of how she moves, a restraint in what she exposes.

00:20:29.476 --> 00:20:33.176
What she does is not careless, is intentional.

00:20:33.756 --> 00:20:37.916
I want to go a little bit deeper regarding the lioness and the lady's

00:20:38.147 --> 00:20:42.547
and the power of silent strength. There is a spiritual pattern that we have

00:20:42.547 --> 00:20:47.047
in creation and in scripture that reveals how God designs strength in women.

00:20:47.247 --> 00:20:52.047
It is seen in the lioness in the wild, the woman of wisdom in the word.

00:20:52.327 --> 00:20:58.247
Both carry truth that challenges their particular culture. Real power does not

00:20:58.247 --> 00:20:59.527
need to announce itself.

00:20:59.867 --> 00:21:03.227
It moves with purpose, restraint, and authority under control.

00:21:03.487 --> 00:21:09.367
This is the heart of the lioness, and it's also the heart of the woman described in Proverbs 31.

00:21:09.727 --> 00:21:15.387
The lioness does not compete for attention in the jungle. She does not roar to prove her authority.

00:21:15.787 --> 00:21:21.047
Instead, she embodies observation before action, silence before strategy,

00:21:21.487 --> 00:21:25.627
precision before pursuit, and control before movement.

00:21:25.867 --> 00:21:28.887
She understands timing. She understands positioning.

00:21:29.227 --> 00:21:35.507
She understands that not every moment deserves energy. Her silence is not absence. It's awareness.

00:21:35.927 --> 00:21:41.047
Her stillness is not weakness. It's preparation. This reflects a deeper spiritual principle.

00:21:41.287 --> 00:21:46.807
Power that is mastered is more effective than power that is displayed.

00:21:47.247 --> 00:21:51.027
In Proverbs 31, the virtuous woman is not introduced through noise,

00:21:51.167 --> 00:21:52.507
performance, or self-promotion.

00:21:52.687 --> 00:21:56.007
She is revealed through consistency, wisdom, and action.

00:21:56.207 --> 00:22:01.187
She is a builder, a steward, and a discerner. She considers the field and buys

00:22:01.187 --> 00:22:03.467
it, so she thinks before she acts.

00:22:04.191 --> 00:22:09.251
She works with her hands willingly. She is disciplined and intentional.

00:22:09.611 --> 00:22:14.331
She opens her mouth with wisdom. She speaks with purpose, not impulse.

00:22:14.551 --> 00:22:16.631
She does not eat the bread of idleness.

00:22:16.971 --> 00:22:19.011
She is focused and productive.

00:22:19.451 --> 00:22:23.331
Her life is not built on attention. It is built on assignment.

00:22:23.651 --> 00:22:27.831
Like the lioness, she is not reactive. She is intentional.

00:22:28.191 --> 00:22:33.911
What does the Bible say about spiritual discipline? Silence is a spiritual discipline.

00:22:33.911 --> 00:22:35.311
What does the Bible say about that?

00:22:35.711 --> 00:22:38.731
Scripture consistently shows that silence is not emptiness.

00:22:39.271 --> 00:22:45.851
It is wisdom under control. Proverbs 17, 28, silence can appear wiser than speech.

00:22:45.851 --> 00:22:48.491
So we don't always have to have something to say.

00:22:48.711 --> 00:22:51.911
Proverbs 10, 19, too many words increase risk.

00:22:52.211 --> 00:22:58.231
Restrain is wisdom. Proverbs 29, 11, emotional restraint is maturity.

00:22:58.531 --> 00:23:04.731
And then we read in Ecclesiastes 3, 7, that there's a time to speak and there's a time to be silent.

00:23:04.991 --> 00:23:08.551
Silent is not about being passive. It's about being governed.

00:23:08.751 --> 00:23:11.471
A woman who is spiritually mature knows that

00:23:11.807 --> 00:23:18.047
Not every thought needs to be expressed, and not every battle needs participation.

00:23:18.187 --> 00:23:23.587
I love that. Because when we think about it, when we think about being emotional

00:23:23.587 --> 00:23:27.407
creatures, we like to express when we're feeling sad, glad, happy,

00:23:27.587 --> 00:23:30.027
mad, don't matter. We got something to say about everything.

00:23:30.227 --> 00:23:35.067
But it says in the Bible that everything doesn't require an expression.

00:23:35.107 --> 00:23:37.107
That's spiritual maturity right there.

00:23:37.307 --> 00:23:40.447
Stillness before God, the inner lioness posture.

00:23:40.967 --> 00:23:44.967
Before the lion is moved, she is still. Before clarity comes,

00:23:45.207 --> 00:23:48.867
there is quietness. Before a breakthrough, there is waiting.

00:23:49.087 --> 00:23:52.047
This aligns with Proverbs 4, 6, 10.

00:23:52.307 --> 00:23:55.927
Be still and know that I am God. Exodus 14, 14.

00:23:56.267 --> 00:24:01.427
The Lord will fight for you. All you need is to what? Be still.

00:24:01.707 --> 00:24:05.127
Stillness is not inactivity though. It's a trust in divine order.

00:24:05.307 --> 00:24:10.947
It's a refusal to panic when timing has not yet arrived. The lioness waits,

00:24:11.087 --> 00:24:16.727
the wise woman waits, not because they are unsure, but because they are anchored.

00:24:17.107 --> 00:24:21.467
Silence under pressure, strength and restraint. One of the most powerful expressions

00:24:21.467 --> 00:24:24.167
of strength is restraint under pressure.

00:24:24.467 --> 00:24:28.827
We just talked about power under control, but strength under pressure.

00:24:29.047 --> 00:24:34.227
Isaiah 57, 3 says, Christ remains silent under accusation. If you ever watched

00:24:34.227 --> 00:24:40.207
The Passion of the Christ, the actor who portrayed Jesus, never whined or complained.

00:24:40.387 --> 00:24:44.067
Just said what he had to say. Even though he was spit on, slapped,

00:24:44.407 --> 00:24:50.907
you know, hit in the head, put the crown of thorns on his head, he never said a word.

00:24:51.207 --> 00:24:55.747
Matthew 27, 14 says, he did not respond to every charge.

00:24:56.067 --> 00:24:59.947
You know, people get Facebook and something happens or Instagram,

00:25:00.207 --> 00:25:06.067
whatever they say, story time. and they have 12 to 24 episodes of story time

00:25:06.415 --> 00:25:12.175
just to tell their side of the story. Even Jesus demonstrated that silence could carry authority.

00:25:12.495 --> 00:25:17.295
Not every accusation deserves a response. Not every misunderstanding requires

00:25:17.295 --> 00:25:20.175
correction. Not every moment requires defense.

00:25:20.475 --> 00:25:24.375
Sometimes silence is not surrender. It is spiritual governance.

00:25:24.815 --> 00:25:28.935
What is this pattern in a lioness versus the women of Proverbs?

00:25:29.095 --> 00:25:32.415
I love this because it talks about speaking as the first thing.

00:25:32.615 --> 00:25:36.815
It says, when you combine a lioness and the biblical woman, you see a pattern.

00:25:37.055 --> 00:25:40.875
She observed before she speaks because we got the lion. He's laying in wait.

00:25:40.935 --> 00:25:44.175
You ever watch the lioness at work? He's watching the animal.

00:25:44.495 --> 00:25:49.755
He's very specific, but his strategic silence, that's not the time for him to

00:25:49.755 --> 00:25:52.315
roar, not time for him to say anything.

00:25:52.495 --> 00:25:58.395
It's the time for her, for her to just watch. And so we see here that she observed before she speaks.

00:25:58.575 --> 00:26:02.795
Is there something I need to say or not? She builds before she announces.

00:26:03.035 --> 00:26:05.775
So she begins to build whatever she needs.

00:26:06.095 --> 00:26:09.095
And then maybe when it gets to a place where they say, what are you doing?

00:26:09.255 --> 00:26:14.355
Yeah, I'm building a condo over there. She prays before she reacts. That should be instant.

00:26:14.675 --> 00:26:20.115
She moves when timing aligns and she is protect her energy for what matters.

00:26:20.415 --> 00:26:23.795
She's not easily provoked because she is not easily distracted.

00:26:24.135 --> 00:26:27.755
Her strength is not in volume. It's in discernment.

00:26:28.075 --> 00:26:32.015
The lioness is quiet, but not passive, gentle, but not weak,

00:26:32.255 --> 00:26:37.715
observant and not fearful, silent, but not absent, reserved, but not restricted.

00:26:37.995 --> 00:26:42.015
Her silence is not emptiness. It's authority under control.

00:26:42.435 --> 00:26:47.935
Wow. Her life doesn't need to be a constant validation because her fruit speaks.

00:26:48.115 --> 00:26:51.315
So the Bible says we will know them by their fruit.

00:26:51.515 --> 00:26:55.155
And so you see a person having a lot of fruit. She doesn't really They have

00:26:55.155 --> 00:26:58.555
to have a lot of words because that speaks for her.

00:26:59.096 --> 00:27:03.156
Right. So the lioness teaches us a creation lesson.

00:27:03.416 --> 00:27:08.336
The Proverbs 31 teaches scriptural wisdom. Together they reveal truth of the kingdom.

00:27:08.616 --> 00:27:11.516
You don't need to announce power when you're walking in it.

00:27:11.796 --> 00:27:16.316
Silence is not the absence of strength. It's the evidence of maturity,

00:27:16.536 --> 00:27:19.256
protection of purpose, and discipline and wisdom.

00:27:19.516 --> 00:27:24.316
And when the moment is right, both the lioness and the wise woman move.

00:27:24.496 --> 00:27:28.516
And what they produce speaks louder than anything they could have ever said.

00:27:28.816 --> 00:27:32.956
The lioness in the jungle is living picture of a disciplined strength,

00:27:33.196 --> 00:27:36.616
awareness, and strategy. She doesn't move randomly or loudly.

00:27:36.896 --> 00:27:38.916
Everything she does is intentional.

00:27:39.236 --> 00:27:43.676
When you understand how she conducts herself, it mirrors the same principle

00:27:43.676 --> 00:27:49.096
we've been giving a pattern for this theme of the lioness and the ladies.

00:27:49.276 --> 00:27:52.396
Power that is quiet, but effective.

00:27:52.796 --> 00:27:55.556
You know, we learned in school, you know remember we talked

00:27:55.556 --> 00:27:58.516
about the quiet boy or the quiet girl we don't

00:27:58.516 --> 00:28:02.056
mess with them because they have an inner strength that they

00:28:02.056 --> 00:28:05.656
when they get ready to go they go I mean they get ready to fight they fight

00:28:05.656 --> 00:28:09.716
they don't have a lot of words to say because they're sitting there they're

00:28:09.716 --> 00:28:13.476
reserving their words why do I have to fuss and fight and curse you out when

00:28:13.476 --> 00:28:17.576
I'm just gonna go in there and fight you I don't have to have all this verbal

00:28:17.576 --> 00:28:21.736
judo just to get to the main point to frighten you,

00:28:21.956 --> 00:28:24.676
to act as a lion with no teeth.

00:28:24.876 --> 00:28:28.976
Be careful of the quiet ones because we're not playing.

00:28:29.196 --> 00:28:32.176
I'm a quiet one. I just sit there and watch. And after a while,

00:28:32.316 --> 00:28:33.296
you go like, I had enough.

00:28:33.636 --> 00:28:37.196
Get to fighting, call it a day, and walk away. Because they didn't expect that.

00:28:37.296 --> 00:28:41.056
They expect their little roar, their cussing, all the name calling to really

00:28:41.056 --> 00:28:44.716
affect how you feel. It doesn't. It doesn't.

00:28:45.134 --> 00:28:49.274
Because if I'm coming for you, I'm coming for you, right? Your lion and your

00:28:49.274 --> 00:28:51.814
loud noise does not make me afraid.

00:28:52.154 --> 00:28:56.554
It just got a big mouth. And we're about to quiet that down in a few moments, right?

00:28:56.734 --> 00:29:00.574
So let's talk about how the lioness conducts herself in the jungle.

00:29:00.854 --> 00:29:05.874
Not even the jungle. We call it the wilderness, the wildness, the kingdom, right?

00:29:06.094 --> 00:29:10.874
So she moves with awareness. Let's think about that. She moves with awareness, not distraction.

00:29:11.174 --> 00:29:15.634
She's very stealthy. So a lioness is constantly aware of her environment,

00:29:15.814 --> 00:29:19.174
her surroundings, the wind direction, the sound, the movement,

00:29:19.394 --> 00:29:20.994
the distance, the smells.

00:29:21.334 --> 00:29:25.694
Remember, she's a hunter. So she can smell in the air what's coming her way.

00:29:25.894 --> 00:29:28.834
Nothing about her is careless or reactive.

00:29:29.154 --> 00:29:33.234
She is not distracted by everything in the field. because if you ever notice

00:29:33.234 --> 00:29:35.414
in the lion shows or in the animal kingdom,

00:29:35.714 --> 00:29:39.834
the birds in the trees are always making sounds because they're giving warnings

00:29:39.834 --> 00:29:45.814
to the animals that don't know that the lioness is getting ready to make a snatch out of the garden.

00:29:46.114 --> 00:29:50.574
She's out grocery shopping, and here go the little birds making all this noise,

00:29:50.574 --> 00:29:52.774
but she is not distracted.

00:29:52.834 --> 00:29:55.434
She filters what matters. She's focusing.

00:29:56.334 --> 00:30:01.634
She ignores what doesn't matter. This is a part of survival.

00:30:01.794 --> 00:30:03.514
And this is her strength.

00:30:03.734 --> 00:30:07.774
This mirrors not everything deserves your attention or response.

00:30:07.914 --> 00:30:12.234
So when we're thinking as a lioness and we're in the woods and we are in the

00:30:12.234 --> 00:30:16.174
kingdom of God, everything does not require your attention.

00:30:16.534 --> 00:30:19.294
Yes, you're going to hear the birds in the air chirping. You're going to hear

00:30:19.294 --> 00:30:23.274
the animals making sounds because the lioness is in the bushes.

00:30:23.514 --> 00:30:28.214
They're making all the sounds in the world, but the lioness doesn't move when

00:30:28.214 --> 00:30:31.834
the noise is the loudest. Did you ever notice that? The birds get to chirping.

00:30:32.274 --> 00:30:37.874
The birds quiet down. At a certain point, you'll hear the birds quiet, the animals quiet.

00:30:38.114 --> 00:30:42.534
Everything stirs because they love to watch the lion at work.

00:30:42.794 --> 00:30:47.074
Because the noise doesn't bother her. She's not distracted. One thing a lioness

00:30:47.074 --> 00:30:49.374
does is she conserves her energy for purpose.

00:30:49.674 --> 00:30:52.634
I want you to compare this to the Proverbs 31 woman. This is us.

00:30:52.874 --> 00:30:58.654
The lioness does not run unnecessarily. She understands that energy is strategic.

00:30:58.914 --> 00:31:03.914
So when you look at the lion, she's still strategically getting closer because

00:31:03.914 --> 00:31:08.854
if she runs too fast out those woods, they're going to give the animal a large head start.

00:31:09.074 --> 00:31:12.894
So she's making her way closer and closer. and you ever watch her,

00:31:12.954 --> 00:31:15.294
she moves really stealthily.

00:31:15.414 --> 00:31:19.754
She is conducting herself with strategic silence.

00:31:19.994 --> 00:31:24.914
Most of her life is not spent in motion. It is spent in watchfulness and readiness.

00:31:25.254 --> 00:31:29.614
She saves her strength for the right moment, but not for every moment.

00:31:29.814 --> 00:31:35.394
She is not constantly busy. She knows when to act. Another point,

00:31:35.655 --> 00:31:40.375
The lioness and the ladies operate in coordinated unity.

00:31:40.815 --> 00:31:45.155
Lioness often hunt in coordination with the pride. Each one has a role.

00:31:45.395 --> 00:31:48.115
There is no competition, only alignment.

00:31:48.535 --> 00:31:52.355
They understand timing, position, trust within structure.

00:31:52.615 --> 00:31:56.815
One moves to redirect, the other positions another to strike.

00:31:57.295 --> 00:32:02.195
So understand that alignment is important. The lioness studies before she strikes.

00:32:02.415 --> 00:32:07.115
A lioness does not rush into movement. She observed prey patterns.

00:32:07.895 --> 00:32:11.275
Isn't that powerful? She knows what's going on. She observed prey patterns.

00:32:11.555 --> 00:32:14.795
She knows what her prey does, where they're going to move. That's why they work

00:32:14.795 --> 00:32:17.695
in coordination with each other. She understands the weaknesses.

00:32:17.975 --> 00:32:19.075
She understands the timing.

00:32:19.395 --> 00:32:23.755
You know, she's been watching these animals in her kingdom for a while.

00:32:23.755 --> 00:32:30.055
So she knows exactly and very calculated moves so she can get her prey.

00:32:30.295 --> 00:32:33.755
She pauses an action, but she doesn't hesitate.

00:32:34.295 --> 00:32:38.555
She waits until success is most likely not most emotional.

00:32:38.935 --> 00:32:44.275
Sometimes they get their prey, sometimes they don't. If she's off rhythm, she misses.

00:32:44.635 --> 00:32:49.015
But if she's on rhythm and that animal is not paying attention and she moves,

00:32:49.195 --> 00:32:52.695
the animal is right there eating grass and they know something is up,

00:32:52.815 --> 00:32:56.815
but they can't quite figure it out because the lion is kind of like a sandy

00:32:56.815 --> 00:32:59.275
gray. It looks like sand. So you're thinking like, what is that?

00:32:59.979 --> 00:33:03.759
She's breathing, slowing down her breath, and she's not in a rush.

00:33:03.919 --> 00:33:05.979
And I call that silent emotion.

00:33:06.239 --> 00:33:08.699
Even when she moves, she does not announce herself.

00:33:09.079 --> 00:33:14.019
Her steps are controlled. Her presence is quiet. Her approach is intentional.

00:33:14.499 --> 00:33:18.979
Noise will reveal her position. Silence protects the outcome.

00:33:19.219 --> 00:33:20.639
She protects what is hers.

00:33:21.139 --> 00:33:26.219
The lioness is fiercely protective of her cubs and her territory, and even her lion.

00:33:26.439 --> 00:33:30.559
But even in protection, she is not chaotic. She is precise.

00:33:30.899 --> 00:33:35.279
She does not waste energy or even threat. She responds when necessary,

00:33:35.599 --> 00:33:38.579
not constantly. She has discernment.

00:33:38.959 --> 00:33:42.639
She knows what's worth engaging and what is not.

00:33:42.899 --> 00:33:47.399
She strikes only when it matters. When the lioness finally acts, it's decisive.

00:33:47.779 --> 00:33:49.599
There is no confusion in her movement.

00:33:49.999 --> 00:33:55.779
All the watching, waiting, positioning leads to one, a moment of execution.

00:33:56.299 --> 00:33:59.999
Quiet preparation leads to effective action.

00:34:00.279 --> 00:34:06.799
Also effective reward because you get exactly what you want. I love this part.

00:34:07.219 --> 00:34:12.079
The lioness teaches this principle. Power is not proven by how often you move,

00:34:12.199 --> 00:34:13.799
but how precisely you move.

00:34:14.019 --> 00:34:17.439
She is not loud in the jungle. She is not scattered in energy.

00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:19.959
She is not emotional in decisions.

00:34:20.279 --> 00:34:23.719
She is aware, intentional, silent, and effective.

00:34:24.259 --> 00:34:27.519
This is so good. I want to continue here.

00:34:27.699 --> 00:34:32.199
When we think about the lioness and the lady, we see a lot of comparisons,

00:34:32.199 --> 00:34:34.719
you know, in the Proverbs 31 women.

00:34:34.839 --> 00:34:39.379
At least I have, and you should too, because I read that scripture every episode.

00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:44.359
But let's reflect on what we've learned. We understand that the lioness is silent but strong.

00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:50.079
And the woman is quiet but impactful. The lioness moves with timing.

00:34:50.279 --> 00:34:52.359
The Proverbs 31 woman acts with wisdom.

00:34:52.619 --> 00:34:56.979
The lioness observe before action. Proverbs 31 considers before building.

00:34:57.279 --> 00:35:03.959
The lioness protects with precision, and Proverbs 31 woman guard with stewardship.

00:35:04.359 --> 00:35:10.259
And then finally, the lioness strikes with purpose, and the Proverbs 31 woman works with.

00:35:10.800 --> 00:35:14.720
Excellence. We see here that the lioness is not trying to be seen.

00:35:14.880 --> 00:35:17.820
The Proverbs 31 is not trying to be heard.

00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:22.340
Yet both are undeniable because in both creation and scripture,

00:35:22.560 --> 00:35:25.980
God reveals this pattern. True strength does not need attention.

00:35:26.300 --> 00:35:32.540
It produces evidence. The lioness reflect the lady of Proverbs 21 because both

00:35:32.540 --> 00:35:38.040
show us the wisdom, restraint, and excellence are louder than noise could ever be.

00:35:38.220 --> 00:35:43.540
Silence in the kingdom matters, both in the wild and in the kingdom of God.

00:35:43.680 --> 00:35:49.220
For the same core reason is where discernment, strength, and timing are protected and revealed.

00:35:49.380 --> 00:35:52.980
In both creation and scripture, silence is not emptiness.

00:35:53.380 --> 00:35:57.920
It is strategic. Its strategy is wisdom and alignment.

00:35:58.240 --> 00:36:03.580
Why is silence so important in the wild and in the kingdom of God?

00:36:03.700 --> 00:36:05.940
I'm going to make this short because this is so good too.

00:36:06.120 --> 00:36:12.600
In the wild, predators like the lioness rely on silence because noise exposes

00:36:12.600 --> 00:36:17.660
position. In the jungle, the one who moves quietly has the advantage because

00:36:17.660 --> 00:36:20.440
they are not detected before the right moment.

00:36:20.700 --> 00:36:24.000
So silence keeps survival and success intact.

00:36:24.460 --> 00:36:29.760
In the kingdom we see in Proverbs 70, 28, wisdom is tied to restraint of speech.

00:36:29.940 --> 00:36:34.300
Silence protects you from unnecessary conflict, understanding,

00:36:34.580 --> 00:36:36.020
and premature exposure.

00:36:36.180 --> 00:36:40.680
Not everything God is forming in you is ready to be announced.

00:36:41.040 --> 00:36:44.340
Number two, silence creates space for discernment. In the wild,

00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:48.500
a lioness listens, she watches, she studies movement, winds,

00:36:48.680 --> 00:36:49.660
distance, and behavior.

00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:53.600
Noise will interrupt her ability to detect opportunity or danger.

00:36:53.880 --> 00:36:55.820
Silence sharpens awareness.

00:36:56.180 --> 00:37:00.860
In the kingdom, in Psalms 46.10, be still and know that I am God,

00:37:01.120 --> 00:37:03.260
shows that stillness brings clarity.

00:37:03.500 --> 00:37:05.880
Silence is where you begin to hear correctly.

00:37:06.227 --> 00:37:10.007
Not physically, but spiritually. Silence strengthens timing.

00:37:10.247 --> 00:37:13.687
In the wild, if a lioness moves too early, she loses the hunt.

00:37:13.867 --> 00:37:16.347
If she moves too late, the opportunity is gone.

00:37:16.747 --> 00:37:20.407
Silence helps her wait until everything aligns.

00:37:20.687 --> 00:37:25.447
Timing is everything in survival. In the kingdom, Ecclesiastes 3.7.

00:37:25.927 --> 00:37:30.087
There's a time to keep silent and a time to speak. Silence is not permanent.

00:37:30.367 --> 00:37:36.987
It is strategic delay for perfect alignment. Silence controls emotions and reaction.

00:37:37.247 --> 00:37:40.587
In the wild, a lioness does not react to every sound or movement.

00:37:40.827 --> 00:37:43.647
If she did, she would waste energy and lose focus.

00:37:43.967 --> 00:37:46.047
Silence keeps her steady and control.

00:37:46.387 --> 00:37:53.347
In Proverbs 29, 11, emotional release without restraint is contrasted with wisdom that holds back.

00:37:53.687 --> 00:38:00.147
Silence is emotional governance. It prevents reaction from overriding wisdom.

00:38:00.147 --> 00:38:04.787
And number five, in the wild, silence prepares power for impact.

00:38:05.147 --> 00:38:10.407
The lioness is quiet before she strikes. The silence is the build-up precision.

00:38:10.407 --> 00:38:13.967
When she moves, it's decisive and effective.

00:38:14.327 --> 00:38:17.987
Silence is the preparation for impact. In the kingdom of God,

00:38:18.227 --> 00:38:20.047
even Christ demonstrated restraint.

00:38:20.307 --> 00:38:23.427
Isaiah 57, he did not open his mouth under pressure.

00:38:23.667 --> 00:38:28.547
In Matthew 27, 14, we read, he remained silent before accusations.

00:38:28.547 --> 00:38:32.007
Silence is not weakness. It is controlled authority.

00:38:32.287 --> 00:38:37.827
Number six, silence preserves spiritual energy. In the wild, energy is survival.

00:38:38.367 --> 00:38:42.447
The lioness does not waste movements or noise on things that does not matter.

00:38:42.667 --> 00:38:46.467
In the kingdom, silence protects your spiritual focus.

00:38:46.907 --> 00:38:50.627
Not every battle, comment, or accusation deserves engagement.

00:38:51.007 --> 00:38:57.827
Why you don't respond and that doesn't empower you. So what you don't respond to, you don't empower.

00:38:58.087 --> 00:39:00.247
Wow, both the wild and the kingdom

00:39:00.619 --> 00:39:05.779
We understand the power of silence. Silence is valuable. It's perception.

00:39:06.059 --> 00:39:07.699
It sharpens perception. It aligns timing.

00:39:08.139 --> 00:39:14.499
It's disciplines, emotions, prepares impact. Let's park here on how silence, discipline, emotions.

00:39:14.659 --> 00:39:19.019
You ever get in an emotional terrain and you're just talking to yourself,

00:39:19.199 --> 00:39:23.039
just making noise and saying all kinds of things you wouldn't say to nobody but yourself.

00:39:23.279 --> 00:39:27.779
But if we practice silence and just shut our mouths during a time where the

00:39:27.779 --> 00:39:32.199
anger is, we would develop some discipline. And those words won't go out and

00:39:32.199 --> 00:39:36.179
create things that we cannot kill off later, right?

00:39:36.459 --> 00:39:39.319
So how does this work with the lion and the tribe of Judah?

00:39:39.619 --> 00:39:44.839
You know, because every lioness has a lion. And then every Proverbs 31 woman

00:39:44.839 --> 00:39:48.339
also has a lion from the tribe of Judah.

00:39:48.719 --> 00:39:52.119
You know, we understand that lion of tribe of Judah has triumph.

00:39:52.279 --> 00:39:58.259
That means that he has won. This image represents authority,

00:39:58.479 --> 00:40:01.319
judgment, victory, and unshakable kingship.

00:40:01.826 --> 00:40:07.166
Proverbs 31 has wisdom, stewardship, and strength. And where do you think she gets it from?

00:40:07.366 --> 00:40:11.626
She gets it from the lion of the tribe of Judah.

00:40:11.846 --> 00:40:14.566
When you put them together, they reveal the kingdom principle.

00:40:15.166 --> 00:40:20.006
Godly strength is never loud chaos. It's discipline and authority expressed

00:40:20.006 --> 00:40:22.006
through wisdom and purpose.

00:40:22.406 --> 00:40:28.346
We don't have to act up because we have that power, that power that Jesus gave us.

00:40:28.546 --> 00:40:31.546
Isn't that powerful that we don't have to worry or fret about anything?

00:40:31.826 --> 00:40:39.626
Because God has us. He has our back. And so I want to close out in prayer and try to find my notes.

00:40:39.846 --> 00:40:43.026
The lion and the ladies. I love that. I love that. I love that.

00:40:43.206 --> 00:40:50.166
God has something for each one of us. Each one of us. We are beautifully and wonderfully made.

00:40:50.386 --> 00:40:56.426
And let's pray. Father, in the name of Jesus, I would love for you to just show

00:40:56.426 --> 00:41:01.786
us your wisdom, your knowledge, your understanding. Show us how you want us to walk with you.

00:41:01.986 --> 00:41:07.846
Show us that our steps are assigned and that show us how to remain silent even

00:41:07.846 --> 00:41:12.706
when it's disturbing to our flesh that we want to express ourselves.

00:41:12.966 --> 00:41:18.046
Remove any distractions, Lord God, and give us clarity so we know when to move,

00:41:18.166 --> 00:41:21.566
that we know when to speak, that we'll be like the lion that.

00:41:22.000 --> 00:41:27.840
Lives in the wilderness, very precise in what they do, whatever she does.

00:41:28.020 --> 00:41:30.900
She doesn't work alone, but she works as a team.

00:41:31.120 --> 00:41:36.260
I thank you, Lord God, that you have heard us, you have watched us, and that we are yours.

00:41:36.420 --> 00:41:40.860
We desire to follow you. You are the lion of the tribe of Judah.

00:41:41.160 --> 00:41:44.000
You are who we look to, who we partner with.

00:41:44.100 --> 00:41:48.120
We thank you, Lord God, that you fight for us, that we don't have to fight,

00:41:48.360 --> 00:41:53.600
that we're learning how to be stealthy and strategic with our words so that

00:41:53.600 --> 00:41:58.860
you, Lord God, can build in silence that will last forever, that we will not

00:41:58.860 --> 00:42:01.660
destroy down what you built with our mouths.

00:42:01.880 --> 00:42:08.180
We will not allow emotions to take over. But Lord God, we will just walk step and step with you.

00:42:08.320 --> 00:42:11.220
I love it that we are in right standing with you, Lord God.

00:42:11.420 --> 00:42:15.020
We are standing right next to you. There's nothing separating us.

00:42:15.180 --> 00:42:20.500
So when you move, I move. When I move, you move. We are partnerships in this.

00:42:20.640 --> 00:42:24.740
Lord, we pray that you will guard our words so that we not release what you

00:42:24.740 --> 00:42:28.360
are performing, what you are building on the inside of us.

00:42:28.480 --> 00:42:32.080
Give us wisdom to move in quiet confidence. Trust.

00:42:33.532 --> 00:42:38.212
Trusting that you, Lord God, are the author and finisher of our faith and that

00:42:38.212 --> 00:42:43.572
we will not announce the work that you're doing on inside of us prematurely,

00:42:43.572 --> 00:42:48.672
that we will defeat the enemy because we're running under low under the radar.

00:42:48.952 --> 00:42:55.212
We're not giving any signs that we are even in the room so that he can respond and react and prevent.

00:42:55.432 --> 00:42:58.952
We are victorious because we are in you, but we're victorious,

00:42:59.112 --> 00:43:00.652
Lord God, because we follow you.

00:43:00.772 --> 00:43:04.352
We're partnered with you. We know how to keep our mouths shut.

00:43:04.492 --> 00:43:08.092
We know the seasons according to Ecclesiastics 3.

00:43:08.352 --> 00:43:13.732
So let our speech be guided by you and let my silence be rooted in discernment.

00:43:13.972 --> 00:43:17.712
And I thank you, Lord God, that we'll walk together, we'll talk together,

00:43:17.892 --> 00:43:21.992
we'll build together, but we'll also be strategic together.

00:43:22.232 --> 00:43:26.132
Help those, Lord God, including myself, that have big mouths,

00:43:26.292 --> 00:43:28.592
that want to pronounce things before they're even done.

00:43:28.772 --> 00:43:33.232
Let us, Lord God, have timely reverence towards you. And we ask you,

00:43:33.392 --> 00:43:36.252
Holy Spirit, to silence us when we're talking too much.

00:43:36.392 --> 00:43:38.892
Silence us when we're talking through our emotions.

00:43:39.312 --> 00:43:42.792
Silence us, Lord God, when we're spreading news that we don't even know,

00:43:42.972 --> 00:43:47.292
when we participate in gossip, either by listening to it or spreading it along.

00:43:47.612 --> 00:43:54.312
Help us, Lord God, to be the virtuous lady so that he who finds a wife finds a good thing.

00:43:54.672 --> 00:43:59.232
And Lord God, we as virtuous women, we are that good thing. And I just give

00:43:59.232 --> 00:44:01.212
you praise for that in Jesus' name. Amen.

00:44:01.632 --> 00:44:07.512
This is your host, Connie Morris. And this also is the Diary of a Black Woman podcast.

00:44:08.132 --> 00:44:11.652
Thank you for listening. And I will see you the next episode.

00:44:22.729 --> 00:44:25.889
Family, thank you for spending time with me today.

00:44:26.149 --> 00:44:29.869
To every woman listening who has ever felt hidden, overlooked,

00:44:29.969 --> 00:44:32.269
or pushed aside, hear me clearly.

00:44:32.589 --> 00:44:37.089
God has not forgotten you, and neither have I.

00:44:37.449 --> 00:44:42.329
Now let's go before the Lord and close this out with a word from God.

00:44:42.629 --> 00:44:47.069
Because someone out there needs this reminder today.

00:44:47.369 --> 00:44:54.109
Jeremiah 29, 11, verses 11 through 14. For I know the plans I have for you,

00:44:54.269 --> 00:44:57.909
declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

00:44:58.269 --> 00:45:00.549
plans to give you hope and a future.

00:45:00.849 --> 00:45:05.669
Then when you call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you,

00:45:05.889 --> 00:45:11.129
you will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

00:45:11.249 --> 00:45:17.189
I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and bring you back from captivity.

00:45:17.629 --> 00:45:23.569
Father God, we thank you for your word, that it is true, that it is living, that it is for us.

00:45:23.749 --> 00:45:28.909
You said you know the plans you have for us, plans to prosper us and not to

00:45:28.909 --> 00:45:31.689
harm us, plans to give us hope and a future.

00:45:31.969 --> 00:45:36.329
So today we receive that, not just in our minds, but in our hearts.

00:45:36.449 --> 00:45:40.309
When we feel overlooked, remind us you still see us.

00:45:40.449 --> 00:45:45.769
When we feel forgotten, remind us you still have a plan. And when we feel hidden,

00:45:46.009 --> 00:45:48.269
remind us you are still working.

00:45:48.689 --> 00:45:54.309
Your word says that when we call on you, you will listen. So we call on you now. Hear us.

00:45:54.669 --> 00:45:58.729
Strengthen us. Guide us. Help us to seek you with our whole heart,

00:45:58.969 --> 00:46:01.989
not halfway, not sometimes, but fully.

00:46:02.189 --> 00:46:06.589
And as we seek you, let us find you in every season, in every place.

00:46:07.155 --> 00:46:12.415
Even the hidden one. Restore what was lost, renew what feels broken,

00:46:12.615 --> 00:46:17.195
and remind us that nothing in our lives is wasted in your hand.

00:46:17.415 --> 00:46:23.555
Lord, we trust you, we believe you, and we stand on your word. In Jesus' name, amen.

00:46:24.115 --> 00:46:28.095
This is Diary of a Black Woman podcast, and I'm your host, Connie Morris,

00:46:28.275 --> 00:46:31.015
and I'll see you on the next episode.