Abigail is one of the women in the Bible, with rich lessons to teach and wisdom to glean from.
Her story is in 1 Samuel 25: 1 – end.
Her story teaches us how to handle any difficult relationship. Whether it is a relationship with an employer, an associate, a colleague, a child, a mentor, a mentee, a spouse, or a family member, it’s the same principle and it can be applied for success.
1 Samuel 25:3 [KJV] Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb.
Emotional intelligence, people management, and good understanding were virtues that Abigail possessed. Abigail had a good understanding of herself, her husband, her situation, and her household.
Our focus is not on Nabal’s behavior but on her ability to beautifully manage and navigate the situation.
It is our year of supernatural growth and our emphasis should be growing in the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 [KJV] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
The more we learn to develop the fruits of the Spirit, the better our relationships will be even if the persons are “churlish and evil in their doings” like Nabal
We can see her good understanding being displayed in her attitudes, speech, actions, and the quality of her inner life.
Her good understanding helped her to know the times and seasons and how to salvage a situation that would have led to the murder of every life associated with Nabal, both young and old.
The story of Abigail is not just for wives but also for men, who want to know how to manage people. People are ladders, especially those relationships God brought into your life.
Don’t discard people because of offenses and unforgiveness. You need to understand that not every man has developed fully in the fruit of the Spirit. They might just be the help you need at certain junctions in your life.
There are some things we have control over and some we don’t have control over. You don’t have control over other people’s behavior but you have control over your attitudes.
It’s all about how you react when others treat you badly.
Being married to Nabal was a lot, but Abigail was a woman who had a good understanding.
Isaiah 11:2 tells us that the Holy Spirit is the spirit of wisdom and understanding.
I pray the Holy Spirit will impact our lives with Good understanding in Jesus’ mighty name amen
Where you place your trust and who you trust matters significantly. It plays a crucial role in determining whether the “trust” will ultimately save you or not.
Men put their trust in different things and sources. But I love what the Bible says,
Psa 20:7-8 (KJV) Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. [8] They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
We are unlike those who rely on chariots or horses, but rather we will remember the name of our Lord, our God. In essence, our trust lies in the name of the Lord!
Isn’t that powerful?
That verse says they will be defeated, but because our trust is not in chariots or horses, but in the name of the Lord, we will rise and stand upright!
I can place my complete trust in Him in every aspect of my life, including relationships, weddings, marriage, jobs, careers, business, ministry, and all other areas.
Why should I place my trust in the name of the Lord? What is the assurance?
Let’s examine this.
Psa 28:7-8 (AMPC) The Lord is my Strength and my [impenetrable] Shield; my heart trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song will I praise Him. [8] The Lord is their [unyielding] Strength, and He is the Stronghold of salvation to [me] His anointed.
Wow! According to the scripture above, that strength is impenetrable and unyielding. Moreover, the scripture states that because I trust in Him, I am helped!
This year, God will indeed help you!
So much so that your heart will rejoice greatly!
You will praise Him in your songs because of the benefits you will accrue from trusting Him!
This year is such a strategic and special year! It is a year in which the enemy of your soul will want to fight your joy so much, and yet it is that year in which you must protect your joy so much!
God promises that your days of mourning are over. However, you must now make an effort to comply with that scripture.
Let’s look at the scriptures.
Isa 60:20 (KJV) Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.
Your days of mourning are over!
Mourning, as the scripture refers to it, encompasses broken relationships and the accompanying hurt and agony.
Unhappiness in relationships and sadness within a marriage, stemming from incessant quarrels and squabbles, are also part of this process.
Let’s take a look at The Message Translation.
Isa 60:20 (MSG) Your sun will never go down, your moon will never fade. I will be your eternal light. Your days of grieving are over.
I adore that phrase. Your days of mourning are behind you!
On your part, you’re now cooperating with the scripture by refusing depression and despondency in your life with every fiber of your being!
You must consciously cultivate the spirit of joy and prevent anything from trying to steal it from you!
This year is so pivotal that you can’t let anything dampen your joy!
You have a responsibility to safeguard that joy and keep it safe!
Why would you go to such lengths?
It’s your strength!
The joy of the Lord is your strength! Protect your place of strength and ensure its safety. This guarantees constant and unwavering victory in life and all other aspects of your existence!
The days of mourning are over!
If anything is causing grief at this moment, God Himself will intervene in Jesus’ name!
There’s something truly special about being on God’s side. You can achieve effortless victory when others are succumbing to defeat or falling.
As we look ahead to the coming year, it’s hard not to feel uneasy. The global economic situation is not a cause for celebration. All signs point to a challenging and uncertain future.
However, you are aware that the scriptures have already foretold us about these challenging times.
Isa 60:1-2 (KJV) Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. [2] For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
You are to arise and shine!
Don’t be afraid or let trepidation hold you back. The darker it gets, the brighter your light shines!
I particularly love the Amplified Version.
Isa 60:1-2 (AMPC) ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you–rise to a new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you! [2] For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness [all] peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon you [O Jerusalem], and His glory shall be seen on you.
You can rise to a new life in the coming days! You have the opportunity to transform your life in the coming days!
How do you stand tall when others are falling? How do you maintain your composure when others are losing their footing?
Psa 20:7-8 (KJV) Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. [8] They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.
It is where you put your trust that matters!
Don’t join others in trusting in chariots, horses, man-made solutions, and inventions; rather, put your trust in God!
These are the times to remember the name of the Lord!
Take these Prayer Points:
I will not fall in Jesus’ name
My light will shine and will never be put out in Jesus’ name
Lord, teach me and grant me the grace to always trust in you, in Jesus’ name!
In simple terms, capacity building simply means developing your skills and abilities to improve your performance and productivity.
This can be applied to your work or career where you aspire to become a better person.
This can also be applied to your relationship and or marriage where you want to become a better spouse to your loved one.
Building Capacity As Singles and Couples
Now, developing or building capacity can be done in a variety of ways which include sharpening yourself, going back to school, self-study and self-development, and so on.
For example, you can build the capacity to be a better husband or wife by giving yourself to study and research on how to become better and following through on what you learn.
Now, the major question is usually knowing what to do but never doing it for one reason or the other.
You know you should give yourself to self-study but the whole year is almost gone and you can’t point to one book that you have read successfully!
Your diary is filled with all kinds of instructions and wisdom, which you have never put to use. You listen to messages day after day but never have enough impetus to act on what is there!
Building Capacity As Singles and Couples
What is the thing to do? Here it is
Eph 3:14-16 (MSG) My response is to get down on my knees before the Father, [15] this magnificent Father who parcels out all heaven and earth. [16] I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—
You need to ask for strength in your inner man so that you can do the things you have always known you should do, but you are not doing!
I love the word Amplified Bible used
Eph 3:16 (AMPC) May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].
You need to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power!
A power that will go deep into your innermost being and personality, alter lazy attitudes, and give you strength to do what needs to be done!
I pray for you, to receive strength in your inner man in Jesus’ name!
