DO YOU HAVE IT ALTOGETHER?

“My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise”
(Psalm 57:7).

Some women think they have it all together. Others want to fall on the floor in a heap as they know they could never have it all together, especially if it means keeping a perfect home, perfect children, and perfect situations! Let’s face it. There is not a day that goes perfectly. Every day poses new challenges.

Yet Titus 2:5 tells the older women to teach the young women to “have it all together.” Well, it says “to be discreet” in the King James Version. Would you like to find out what this word truly means? I love the adventure of discovering what the Bible really says, don’t you?

The Greek word for “discreet” is sophron and comes from two root words: sozo which means “to save, deliver, protect, heal, cure, preserve, keep safe, and make whole.” And phren meaning “the mind.” Therefore, it means to have a sound and whole mind.

We can never have it all together in our circumstances because we cannot control our circumstances. If we have babies and little children around us, we can never have a perfect house with laundry and every household duty up to date. However, in the trenches of chaos, babies and children, crying and loud noise, and the weight of more to cope with than we think we can accomplish, we can still have a sound and steady mind. We can experience peace in the storm. This is what it truly means to have it all together.

Let’s look at some other translations:

“To be mistress of themselves” (Moffat). This means that we are in control of ourselves. We have command of our emotions. We are self-disciplined. Not freaking out. Not falling to pieces. No matter what happens around us, our hearts and minds are fixed upon the Lord.

What would I do without the wonderful promise in Isaiah 26:3, 4? It says: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.” I believe this is the underlying secret of having it all together—to keep our minds stayed upon the Lord, no matter what the situation.

“Orderly behavior” (Knox). Our example as a wife and mother must not bring discredit to God’s word but be a good advertisement for the Christian faith (Titus 2:5).

“To live wisely” (NLT). Not foolishly. Not gadding about. Not hankering after the material things of this world and worldly entertainment. Not possessed by social media. Instead, we speak wisely, act wisely, and walk in obedience to God’s plan for wives and mothers rather than the ways and trends of this current society.

“To be self-controlled” Most translations use this phrase (I counted 10 of them). How can you be self-controlled? Do you stoically repress your emotions? No. We surrender to the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, for He is self-control. He is everything we need to have it all together. His life in us is “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22, 23). That’s everything you need. Instead of yielding to the flesh, yield to the Holy Spirit.

“To be sensible” (AMP, CEB, CEV, NASB, and RSV). Being sensible keeps our feet on the ground and acting in a way that brings glory to God.

Dear mother, you may feel overwhelmed, and the house may look chaotic, but you can still “have it all together” as you look to the Lord and allow His peace to fill your heart and mind despite everything that happens around you.

PRAYER:

“Thank You, dear Father, that You are my Peace. You are my Rock and my Fortress. You are the One who keeps me sane during the chaos. I thank You that I can trust You, no matter what circumstances I face. Amen.”

AFFIRMATION:

My eyes are upon the Lord instead of my troubles around me.