Why Self-Stewardship Is Spiritual Warfare
You’ve heard the name “El Shaddai” for God right?
We translate that as “God Almighty.”
But I want to bring to the table a different interpretation from rabbinical theology. (midrash, which is Jewish theological storytelling.)
Hang with me here, this will NOT be complicated. You’ll see why I bring this up in a second.
They interpret El Shaddai as “The God Who Knew When to Say ‘ENOUGH!’ “
And the theological concept behind it is that we are most like God when we know when to say “enough!”
A sculptor eventually has to stop chipping away at the stone otherwise his Masterpiece would be destroyed. There is one stroke that is the last one and then the statue is finished.
God is incredibly imaginative and creative. I mean He is THE CREATOR.
He didn't stop inventing animals because He ran out of creativity. He did so because the exact number that He made was… enough. It was the exact amount that was needed.
He made everything in 6 days and rested on the 7th because that is exactly what was needed.
He made the gravitational pull not too much or not too little. It was exactly what was needed.
But we humans aren’t good at this, are we?
In fact we're downright horrible at it.
You can see it in the world around you.
So many people are either workaholics or they don't work enough. Neither extreme is healthy.
We eat too much or starve ourselves. Both extremes destroy us.
Too much rest is bad but so is not enough. Both extremes destroy us.
Finding that “enough” level is spiritual warfare. Because the devil wants us to fall into ANY trap that would destroy us.
Resting when we want to keep working in our own strength…spiritual warfare!
Exercising when we “feel” like doing nothing but know it would be good for us to move…spiritual warfare.
Putting the phone down when you want to keep scrolling…spiritual warfare.
Saying no because you are already overtaxed instead of saying yes to people-pleasing. Spiritual warfare.
Speaking up when you really don’t want to say anything. Spiritual warfare.
OR being silent when you really want to vent in an unhealthy way. Spiritual warfare.
Going against any destructive behavior is spiritual warfare.
Listen friend, the enemy doesn’t care which ditch you get stuck in, he just wants you STUCK!!!
We need huge doses of humility, discernment and strength! So how do we do this?
Here’s your 3 step plan:
#1 Leave your pride at the door
If you really want to know where you need to either step UP or step BACK so you arrive at the level God would say is just the right amount, you need to humbly ask Him to reveal that to you… and then you need to listen.
He will probably reveal some issues and ways of doing things you are really attached to and would prefer not to change. Humbly ask for discernment.
Remember David asked God: Show me my hidden faults…Psalm 19:12
I implore you to go here! God has a way of revealing Himself in astounding ways when we humbly ask Him to change us to be more like Him.
#2 Ask for the strength and wisdom to follow through
One of the most powerful prayers you can ever pray is:
“God, help me want what YOU want.”
If you truly engage in step one, God WILL reveal an area He wants you to grow.
Somewhere you need to speed up, another area you need to slow down. Then ask God for the strength and wisdom to follow through on what He’s revealed to you.
#3 Thank Him in advance for all He’s going to reveal and do
When we stop landing in the extremes of not enough of something or too much, we will have so much more PEACE. But it might be hard to see that when we hold tightly to the habits and ways of thinking that are in either ditch.
A posture of gratitude will help you see and feel that peace more quickly, I promise!
So where do you think God wants you to step up or step back?
Friend, becoming a woman who knows when to say “enough” is not about striving.
It’s about stewardship.
The God who set boundaries for oceans, gravity, time, creativity and rest is forming that same discernment in you. He is teaching you when to build, when to stop, when to speak, when to be silent, when to push, and when to pause.
That kind of calibrated obedience doesn’t happen accidentally. It happens through humility, surrender, and daily warfare. And the more you practice it, the more peace you will carry, not because life is calmer, but because you are being obedient.
In passionate purpose,
Dorothy
Have you grabbed my 5 day devotional?
https://ignite.passionatepurposeschool.com/