What do I choose: CULTURE OR CONVICTION?

What do you do when you are faced with the temptation to go with the flow of the culture rather than the steadiness of your own conviction?

Conviction

2. a: a strong persuasion or belief b: the state of being convinced

Culture

1. a : the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group

What do you do when you have a deeply set belief about something and it contradicts the culture we may live in?

When your conviction is viewed as an extreme decision in light of the culture you live in; what route do you take then?

Cultural stances are not always wrong. Only when it goes against the Word of God. So, what do you do when the lines are blurred? When something in your culture isn't necessarily sinful, but it also doesn't sit right with you. When something seems off. When something is tugging at your heart in the form of a deeply set CONVICTION.

I found myself in this position a little over a year ago. Two years married. Working a 40hr work week. Exhausted. Searching for answers regarding what the Bible says about biblical womanhood and a wife's role in the home.

I did what I always do when doubt and confusion flood my mind. I opened the Word of God. I prayed. I asked God for clarity and answers between what was good and better.

Many young wives & mothers face similar questions that I faced:

"Should I quit my job to be a better wife or mother?"

"How are we going to afford it?"

"What will my husband think/say?"

And so on...

I cannot tell someone whether or not they should instantaneously quit their job and become a stay at home wife or mother. However, I can share my experience and what the Lord did in my heart in hopes to be an encouragement and help to those who may be in a similar position I was in a little over a year ago.

First, I would encourage you to seek the Lord. He knows your heart and circumstances better than you know yourself. He knows what you need and what your family needs.

Seek after Him with an open mind and heart; leaving your own agenda behind.

Secondly, pray. If you desire to be a stay at home wife or mother, pray that God would open the door. That He would soften hearts. That He would make a way, and then choose to wait patiently. Know that He wants to give you the desires of your heart and if it aligns with His will, it will happen.

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4

If you don't know if that is what you want, but you are not fulfilled seeking a career or being a boss woman. I urge you equally the same to take it to the Lord in prayer. Again, He created your heart and knows exactly what it is that will fulfill it.

When the Lord began working on my heart regarding quitting my 9-5 and staying at home it did not happen instantaneously. It took many months of prayer and seeking the Lord. Slowly, the Lord began highlighting Scripture and speaking to my heart about the importance of taking care of the home to the best of my ability. I quickly realized I could not do both. I could not be the best at my job while also doing my best at home.

I was faced with a daunting decision: I could sacrifice the time & quality of life in my home OR I could sacrifice the extra income & learn to live more frugally.

So, I quit the job. Fast forward over a year later and I couldn't imagine myself back in the work force.

God, our great provider, has taken care of every need.

He has graciously met & fulfilled my hearts desires.

He has proven Himself ever so faithful.

I stand on the other side of my questions and doubts, and can say I am ever so grateful I went with the conviction of my heart. It is not popular. Counter cultural even. It has not come without sacrifice and dare I say, a good amount of spiritual warfare. The devil can't stand for anybody to take a step closer to God's design for the family unit. The enemies whole plan is to destroy it.

Know that obedience to the Word of God will never come without the enemies stamp of disapproval.

Yet regardless, it has been my greatest joy and blessing to be the guardian of the four walls God has entrusted to me. To create a safe haven that honors the Lord. A place for my husband to feel loved and seen. I have yet to find any thing sweeter.

⁴ That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:4-5

Trust in the Lord. His ways and plans are so much better. If He is tugging at your heart to go in a certain direction, listen to that. If it aligns with the Word of God you can trust that it is for your good.

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Lastly, He sees you. He knows you. He cares for you.

Love & Blessing,

M. grace