When Strife Calls, Don’t Pick Up: Walking Wisely As A Christian Woman

When strife calls, don't pick up.

There’s a quiet alarm sounding in the hearts of many women right now, especially those who carry both spiritual sensitivity and responsibility. It’s that sense that we’re not just busy, but being watched, pressured, and sometimes spiritually tested. We are living in times where evil isn’t hiding. It’s subtle, slippery, and increasingly bold. If you’ve been feeling the urge to protect your peace, cover your household in prayer, and pull back from people and places that once seemed harmless, you are not imagining things.

I know because I’ve lived it.

Over the past few years, there were conversations that left me drained, phone calls that rubbed me the wrong way, and environments that felt heavy even though everyone else seemed comfortable. I couldn’t always explain it. Sometimes it was just a friend who always wanted to hang out. A connection that looked good on paper—kind, loyal, maybe even generous—but my spirit wouldn’t release me to get too close. I used to ignore that feeling. I’d reason it away or feel guilty for pulling back. But now I know better.

That was the Holy Spirit.

1. Evil Doesn’t Always Look Evil

Evil is not always loud or obvious. The Bible says:

“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” – James 3:16

That means evil can show up as:

• Confusion after you leave a conversation

• A lack of peace in someone’s presence

• Delays and distractions that keep you from your purpose

• Envy cloaked in encouragement

  
  

I remember one particular friendship where I couldn’t put my finger on it, but something always felt off. The calls were frequent. The access was constant. But every time I shared good news, it was met with silence, or a quick pivot back to her story. Nothing outwardly wrong, but spiritually, I felt unrest. Eventually, the Lord showed me that the relationship was more about access than authenticity.

2. Wisdom Is a Weapon, Learn How to Walk Wisely

Scripture tells us:

“Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” – Proverbs 3:7–8

Wisdom is more than intellect. It is insight guided by the Spirit. And it saves us from:

• Conversations we don’t need to be part of

• Assignments we were never meant to carry

• People whose presence costs more than it gives

  
  

Sometimes, the Lord will give you wisdom not to go to the event. Not to join the Zoom call. Not to take the deal. I’ve learned the hard way that delayed obedience is often accompanied by unnecessary conflict.

3. Discernment Is Your Early Warning System

There are things God won’t let you explain. He will only let you feel them.

“But the spiritual man judges all things…” – 1 Corinthians 2:15

I’ve had moments where I felt a strong sense to leave a place early. To skip a phone call. To stop sharing details about a new opportunity. Not because I was paranoid, but because I had peace until I brought it up. That’s discernment.

Sometimes God will block your ability to feel connected to someone, not because they’re “bad,” but because your destinies do not align. That’s not pettiness. That’s preservation. When you walk closely with God, He starts protecting you before the problem even shows up.

4. Obedience Is Your Covering

Psalm 91 is not a magic charm. It is a covenant for the obedient. And while we will never be able to predict every evil occurrence, I believe many times we suffer unnecessarily due to disobedience.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” – Psalm 91:1

You don’t visit that secret place occasionally. You dwell in it. It becomes your address.

When God tells you not to go somewhere and you listen, He is covering you. When He prompts you to fast instead of taking the meeting, He is covering you. When He shuts a door and you stop knocking, He is covering you.

Many times, the very thing that protected me was not arguing back, not forcing a friendship, or not explaining my “no.” Obedience saved me from what I never even saw coming.

5. How to Walk This Out Practically

Here’s what I do now that I wish I had always done:

• I pray over my home, aloud, every single day. I speak the Word and name each family member.

• I pay attention to what stirs unrest in my spirit, even if my mind can’t justify it.

• I don’t ignore warning dreams or repeated gut checks. I write them down. I pray into them.

• I limit access. If someone is not assigned to my next season, I do not fight to carry them from the last one.

• I evaluate fruit. Not feelings. Not vibes. Not titles. I look at fruit. What does their presence produce?

  
  

We are living in the last and evil days. And while we can’t stop every evil act or intention in the world, we can position ourselves under the shadow of the Almighty.

We can walk in wisdom. We can listen to the Holy Spirit, even when it doesn’t make sense. We can ask God to uncover what is hidden. We can be delivered from traps, spiritual leeches, sudden disaster, and toxic proximity—because we are God’s daughters.

So do not ignore the nudge. Do not silence your sensitivity. Do not explain away your discernment.

You don’t owe everyone access. You owe God your obedience.

Consider this:

• What’s one relationship, commitment, or conversation you need to bring before God right now to discern whether it aligns with your purpose and peace?