My plan is to post a blog for each chapter in the book Shifting Atmospheres by Dawna De Silva. This book teaches us how to recognize the different atmospheres around us that we encounter from time to time and what to do about it! How to shift the atmosphere of the enemy to the atmosphere of our King! This is a topic that I believe everyone can benefit by learning more about and implementing in their lives with the end goal of expanding God’s kingdom here on earth!
I find it very helpful to have someone to study with. It is great to be able to bounce thoughts and ideas off of each other and I find it interesting and insightful as to what another person may notice and elucidate upon. This also provides accountability and motivation to press on with the assignment. Special thanks goes out to my Study Buddy who is reading along with me. Below you will find some of our thoughts and comments on the first chapter in this book.
(Visit Dawna's website: https://www.dawnadesilva.com/)
Chapter 1 - The Spiritual Realm
It is good to be reminded that we (humanity) are in a continual spiritual war, the effects of which have great consequences for the physical. Being raised a typical westerner, I was not taught to think much about, and can easily neglect the spiritual aspects of the day to day. The mentality of ignoring the spiritual leads to complete vulnerability of the enemy’s attacks, which in this case, ignorance is not bliss. It is good that the author reminds the reader not to focus on the enemy, but to keep our eyes focused on God and His strength. As stated in this chapter, demons can be given assignments to derail us, so as we advance God’s kingdom, we will be more likely to get attacked as we become a greater threat to the darkness, but we should ultimately succeed if we are in God’s will.
I underlined the phrase "our physical lives possess eternal purpose." Wow; what I do every day, every moment matters. I loved how Dawna said that our weapons "are not hate, jealously, or outrage." Our weapons are spiritual and LIFE GIVING--"bringing God's goodness, love and, truth to the situation." It is so good to be reminded that the enemy isn't the people but the evil forces advising and leading the lost people. I need to always remember that every person has a heart of flesh, and I am going to search for that heart, letting God manifest the person he created and not seeing the person the enemy is trying to contort.
Another point brought out is how the spiritual realm affects our health, thought processes, and daily lives. The enemy can and does attack us on several fronts. Exploiting our weaknesses. These weaknesses are where we abdicate our own authority by sin or even ignorance. But thankfully we can fight back by wearing the full armor of God and bringing God’s goodness, love, and truth to the situation!
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