Shifting Atmospheres Chapter 8

Chapter 8 – Discerning Atmospheres

This chapter teaches us ways to Identify / discern the atmospheres around us.  We need to start with a healthy normal (see chapter 7) for proper discernment.  It is also important to value truth, because if we devalue truth, discernment is diminished.

I think a big goal for me in reading this chapter is learning to recognize the source of our struggles and the proper way to deal with it.  How easy is it to just pickup and agree with the atmosphere around us and embrace it as our own.  This can happen when we do not recognize when things are coming at us verses originating from us and we need to ask for forgiveness for partnering with these negative atmospheres.  Not only can we pick up these broadcasts from people we encounter, but also from places and things.  It is not specifically mentioned but I think places and things can be like repeaters of the atmosphere or intent imparted on them from people or entities.  The author gives an account from a particular grocery store with a “must buy” atmosphere that she as well as other people have picked up on.

I find it interesting that although atmospheres are largely spiritual, we can commonly pick them up through our natural senses.  When identifying the atmosphere around us, we need to pay attention to our moods, how we feel in different environments and situations. Also pay attention to the voices/messages we hear internally.  The enemy will often mimic God’s moves to spread confusion and fear so it is vital to examine the fruit and tune in to the heart of God.  Other ways mentioned that we may encounter to help us expose the atmosphere is through dreams and vision.

This chapter was so good for me to read because it showed me how simple shifting atmospheres really is, and I now feel empowered to change my moods and the moods of where I am at; it showed me that I don't have to submit to judgmental thoughts, critical thinking, hateful emotions, dishonoring talk, etc.  I now realize that negative and destructive thoughts are not hard to get rid of because they are not me making them up, that is, I don't have to change myself in order to get rid of them because, as Dawna says, they are not coming from me but at me, so I just need to stop listening to the negative channel they are coming from and instead tune into God's channel and thoughts!