Once in a while, it’s good to allow the Holy Spirit to do some heart-searching. We all face the temptation to hide our crowns at one time or another. But sliding our crown into the cabinet somewhere doesn’t happen overnight. It happens subtly: a little changing of the standards over here, and a little conforming to the world over there. That’s why it’s so important to allow the Holy Spirit to bring to your attention flaws in your lifestyle. You may need readjust and polish your crown where it has been tarnished. Or you may need to step it up in your willingness to let your testimony shine. Whatever the case, the Holy Spirit cares enough to show you!
The first thing you need to do is pray. Many opinions and voices may be able to give you advice, but the Holy Spirit has the complete, fool-proof insight into the situation.
Second, you can ask yourself a few questions:
- Have I neglected my regular prayer and Bible time?
- Have I neglected my church attendance?
- Have I stopped, or slowed down, in reaching out to others?
- Have I become stingy with my money?
- Have I lowered my standards concerning entertainment?
- Am I allowing my mind to wander more toward carnal thoughts?
- Am I attracted more toward carnal or unsaved guys than the godly men?
- Do I get caught up in gossip more often?
- Do I find myself losing my peace and getting an attitude more often?
- Do I hesitate and argue when God tells me to do something?
- Do I lean on my understanding rather than consulting God?
- Do I hang around people with questionable character more than I do the people who will build me up?
You could ask ourselves many more questions, but that’s a start. If you find ourselves saying “yes” to any of these, it’s an indication that you need to do a little “crown polishing”!
If you’ve hid or tarnished your crown, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). Your king still loves you, and wants to see you succeed as His princess!
Here’s a few steps to recovering your crown:
Admit that we were wrong.
God is faithful to forgive and make you clean–every time!
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (John 1:9)
Do whatever it takes to make adjustments.
God’s grace is there to assist you; you were never meant to do it alone!
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Stay close to Jesus.
When you’re with Him, giving Him attention to His plan for your life, you are less likely to slip up. And if you’re tempted to hide your crown, He will be quick to alert you!
And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
Now you’re off to a brand new start! When you feel intimidated by who you are as a Christian, you can look in the mirror and say, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ!” You can pick up your crown, buff it until it shines, and wear it proudly into your world. You can witness to your friends, pray for people with needs, and stand up for what you believe. That beauty is going to turn heads! Yes, you’re going to get some flak. But there’s some people out there who are aching to be just like you – a Princess with the blessings AND the crown! No matter what, let your crown “sparkle with the glamour of His love.” The King desires your beauty “to stand before the world”!
Christa Madrid 