It’s Women of the Word Wednesday here at Refocused Bible Study! This project is near and dear to my heart. Every Wednesday, a fellow blogger will share with us how the Lord spoke to them through the day’s chapter.

Le’nae Brooks from Fancy and Fearless has a challenging message for us based on the first two verses of Proverbs chapter 24. I love her willingness to share from her heart about a struggle all of us have felt, even if we haven’t articulated it to another. Let’s shake off comparison and envy as we read what the Lord gave Le’nae to share with us.

“I believe that ministry calls for transparency. Can I be transparent with you for a minute?  As soon as Amy gave me the list of scriptures to meditate on, the Holy Spirit told me Proverbs 24. I turned my bible to Proverbs 24, and started to sink in my chair. I was doing what The Lord says not to do according this chapter. I said to myself “this is going to be a long study session.” This was the second time I was reading and writing about this particular issue. I finally received it, and I pray that you will too after this post. Lets dive in!

 “Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble.” Proverbs 24:1-2

Envy: A feeling of discontented or resentful by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or work.

Sounds like jealousy. It is easy for us to look at women who are still in the world, and say “they have it all.”

They have a husband while you are waiting on God.

They have a children while you are praying for God to bless your womb.

They have that degree you want while you can’t afford to go back to school.

They have the car you want/need while you are getting denied loan after loan.

This a big one: They may even have the ministry the Lord said you would have (everyone is not in ministry for the right reasons), but you are waiting for God to release you to start it.

Get this; you may not envy a women in the world. You can envy your fellow sister in Christ. You can envy their blog. Envy how many followers they have. Envy their beautiful pictures. Envy their ministry. Envy their relationship, or marriage. Envy how God is using them! Don’t worry ladies. I have envied both. I looked at everything listed above!

An envious spirit is from the enemy. Do you know what the enemy wants you to start doing once envy has taken up root in your heart? He wants you to compare yourself to every woman you see.

The root of comparison is envy, unworthiness, inadequacy, doubt, fear, and rejection. If you have done, or are doing what is listed above,  get to the root of why you are envious. I believe God is doing a work in us this season. He is equipping us for the next level for His ministry here on earth. That means getting free from such spirits that are causing us to stay stagnate, and causing division amongst our sisters. It ends today! Ask the Lord to reveal what has taken up root in your heart, and decree and declare your freedom.

Everyone’s journey is not the same. You do no not know what that person went through to get to where they are now. Admire them, but don’t seek to be like them, or have what they have. You have your own unique calling, gifts, and destiny that no one can fulfill, but you.

Lets skip down to verse 3-4

Proverbs 24:3-4

“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”

Wisdom: The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment.

Knowledge: Facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education.

The Lord will give you all that you need, but you have to trust Him, and seek Him. A wise person waits on the Lord. A wise person puts their trust, and hope in the Lord. A wise person listens for His instructions, and follows wherever He leads. How the Lord builds you up may not be the same way as the next person.

If you jump to verse 27 Solomon says “ Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that build your house.”

While you are waiting for a husband, job, ministry, degree, family, or a promise to be fulfilled seek provision from your ultimate source. He is your ever present help. Seek His way! He will not lead you in the wrong direction.

A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way (Proverbs 20:24).

Your steps are already ordered.

Let’s look at Rebekah Jacob’s mother. Rebekah was barren. Her and her husband Isaac were very old, so in the natural eye it seemed as if they have missed their mark for children. Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, and she became pregnant (Genesis 25:21). To her surprise the babies were very active in her womb as if they were fighting. She inquired of the Lord and said “why is this happening to me?” (Genesis 25:22). Now this is my speculation! I am pretty sure once the Lord blessed them with a child let alone two children Rebekah spread the good news. I can see her now talking to her friends that were mothers asking them questions about their pregnancy. She was not suspecting to be in pain because her babies were fighting. She compared their stories to her reality hence why she said “why is this happening to me?” The Lord spoke to Rebekah and stated:

“Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” Genesis 25:23

Here comes the two boys who we know as Esau and Jacob. The boys grew up and Esau was a hunter loved by Isaac. Jacob was content to work in the tents loved by Rebekah. Let’s skip to Chapter 27 Isaac was dying and wanted to give Esau his blessing. Rebekah heard what was going to take place, and I can imagine her face. The Lord spoke to her and said that the older will serve the younger. Now if Esau gets Isaac blessing he will be the next leader. Rebekah then tells Jacob to pretend he is Esau to get his father’s blessing(Genesis 27:8-17). She even stated “Let the curse fall on me. Just do what I say.” Jacob did just that. He deceived his father into thinking he was Esau, and he was giving his father’s blessing. Esau now held a grudge against Jacob, and wanted to kill him.

Ladies Rebekah is a perfect example of how envy can lead to destruction. God’s word already went forth and said the older will serve the younger. That Jacob would become the family’s leader, but instead of letting God do His work she took matters into her own hands. When our motives are not pure we are out of the will of the Father. Everything should be done in love. Surrender any envy that is your heart today. Surrender your plans today. Make a choice to move out of the way, and let the Lord take over. Submit yourself under His mighty hand. Yield to His way. I promise you He will exceed your expectations.”

Meet the Guest Writer: 

Le’nae from Fancy and Feariess

Hey there beautiful. I’m Le’nae Brooks. I am twenty seven country girl living in a small county in Maryland. I started my blog as another way for me to share what is on my heart. After I shared my baptism video, and story I started to share my journey with Christ. As I started to mature in Christ my posts did a shift. In 2016 I created a new website with the sole purpose to inspire women to live a faith based, purposeful, creative, and fearless lifestyle. I love encouraging women with the word of God. It is beautiful, and alive! The Lord is doing a great work in me, and through Fancy&Fearless and I can not wait to see what He has in store! Outside of blogging, I am a full time student at Bowie State University studying Child and Adolescent Studies. I work full time as a contractor for a small company. I am a Sunday school teacher, praise dancer, reader, writer, coffee lover, fashionista, and your sunshine on a rainy day! I would love to hear from you!