Have you ever walked into a room and immediately felt the weight of the atmosphere? Maybe it was thick with tension after an argument, or maybe it carried the joy of laughter and fun. What if I told you that you have the ability to shift atmospheres, whether in your home, workplace, or church?
The Power of Atmospheres
Atmospheres shape environments, and environments determine what can grow.
I remember visiting Horseshoe Lake as a child, a beautiful lake in the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. This lake was surrounded by lush, green pines.
Years later, I returned to find acres of dead, dry, and brittle trees. The cause? Toxic CO2 had seeped into the soil, slowly poisoning the environment.
In the same way, spiritual atmospheres affect the soil of our hearts, which then determines what can grow. Jesus' parable of the sower (Matthew 13) illustrates this. Seeds of truth grow best in prepared, healthy soil, while hard or cluttered ground prevents growth. The determining factor for soil to be healthy is the atmosphere the soil is exposed to. (Photo via Pexels)
We Are Not Just Affected by Atmospheres, We Contribute to Them
We often think of atmospheres as something we passively experience, but the truth is we bring an atmosphere with us wherever we go. What do you carry? Peace or anxiety? Faith or fear? Encouragement or negativity?
Consider Saul's transformation in 1 Samuel 10:5–6. He encountered a company of prophets who carried a powerful, prophetic atmosphere. Simply by getting into their atmosphere, the Spirit of God came upon him, and he was "changed into a different person." The atmosphere they cultivated shifted him. You have the power to create and shift the atmosphere in every area you have authority in.
How We Shift Atmospheres
When we think of atmospheres, it's easy to see how negative atmospheres can affect us. When my daughter was in the 8th grade, she told me that she was having thoughts of suicide. This admission was completely opposite the person I knew her to be, and I immediately suspected that she was actually picking up something in the atmosphere.
I asked her if she knew of anyone in her class struggling with thoughts of suicide, and she suddenly remembered that there was a boy in her class who had recently been sharing this struggle with some of his classmates. Thankfully, I was able to help her recognize that the thoughts she was having were not her own; she was discerning them in the atmosphere of her class, and therefore she did not have to come into agreement with them.
Just as negative atmospheres can spread, the greater reality is that Kingdom atmospheres can displace darkness. Here are some Biblical examples of this:
• David played his harp, and Saul's torment lifted (1 Samuel 16:23).
• Elisha called for a musician, and the power of the Lord came upon him (2 Kings 3:15).
• Paul and Silas worshiped in prison, and their chains—as well as everyone else's—fell off (Acts 16:25–26). (Photo via Picryl)
We release what we carry. What we cultivate internally in our hearts, we release externally in the world around us. If we nurture peace, faith, and joy in God's presence, we will shift atmospheres wherever we go. The lesser reality always bows to the greater one.
How to Be Intentional About the Atmosphere You Carry
Start by asking yourself, "What do I release when I walk into a room?" If you're unsure, ask a trusted friend how they experience your presence. Then, take time in prayer and worship to cultivate the atmosphere of Heaven in your own life.
This week, pay attention to the environments around you. Are they full of faith or fear? Encouragement or criticism? Where you see darkness, be the shift. Speak life. Pray. Release peace. Your presence carries more influence than you realize.
Let's be atmosphere shifters together!
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Bethany Hicks
Prophetic Company
Email:Â Prophetictrainer@gmail.com
Website:Â www.propheticcompany.com
Bethany Hicks is an international speaker, co-founder of Prophetic Company, and a best-selling author. Additionally, she is part of the core teaching faculty for School of the Prophets at Bethel Church in Redding, CA. She is known as a strong communicator who releases passion and grace for people to embrace their world-changer identity. Additionally, she carries a strong leadership gift and has served in various capacities such as musician, singer, songwriter, and worship director for multiple churches over the last 20 years. Bethany currently resides in Round Rock, TX with her family.
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