A doting|𝒹𝑜𝓊𝒷𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 believer

Do you ever feel like God asks for too much?

It’s like hello Lord, you know I cannot do this, so why even ask me to? Wouldn’t it be much easier if you just meet me where I am, and work within the walls of said place? Why make things complicated by pushing me way past the line I have so carefully carved into the ground? It’s cemented you see, so why can’t you just respect my boundaries?

Okay God…

…You are well aware that there will be trials and tribulations in the world. You tell me this yourself, and in the same breath tell me not be afraid. You say take heart like it’s a muscle already developed. You tell me not to worry about my life, and I kinda feel like in a mocking tone you say isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothes? |Matthew 6:25| The kicker…? You say this to a person that is both hungry and naked. I wonder, am I missing something here?

These are the wrestling thoughts of a believer. A believer who knows that God is good, and she is loved. A believer who knows that her salvation is God, and His promises are yes and amen.

But that she believes, does not mean she will not be tempted to doubt.

/Doubt/ a feeling of uncertainty. Similar words: confusion, distrust, cynicism, suspicions. A feeling, fickle in nature because it is by definition temporary, but one that attempts to draw a solid line with the goal of separation. Feelings are not convictions. They are not rooted in anything, and are generally aroused by transient external things that affect our mood, or shift our emotional state.

My response to doubt, or its close cousin fear shows me where I am; what side of the line I am on. Am I on the side that says I trust God even though I do not understand, or am I on the side that says I do not understand this, therefore I cannot trust God. In fact, He has failed me. When God nudges me to do something that is way out of my scope of knowledge, skill set or experience, do I respond with a yes, trusting that He has furnished me with what I need, or do I cower in fear because excuse me Lord, how can I possibly do that?

My relationship with doubt and fear have thankfully disintegrated over the years, but there is an echo and sometimes, pending what season I am in, the volume is louder. My ego gets in the way sometimes, and I think I got this. If I ignore you long enough, you will leave me alone. But the Bible doesn’t say ignore the devil and he will flee. It says resist the devil and he will flee |James 4:7|.

/Resist/ withstand the action or effect of. Similar words: counter, combat, repel, outlast. When doubt and fear wage war against your mind, it is foolish to be quiet or ignore. Trust me, I learnt this the hard way. Life and death are in the power of the tongue |Proverbs 18:21|. Open your mouth and speak. Jesus did not ignore the devil in the wilderness, He countered him. Jesus understood that it was a battle, and he wasn’t about to lay there and have the devil leave his muddy footprints in his mind. Neither should you.

I am a believer. With everything that is in me, I believe in God. This does not make me immune to doubt, fear, trials and tribulations, but in Christ, I have authority over all these things. So on my own, I definitely don’t got it. Realizing this keeps me grounded, humble and hungry for more of God. For all things pertaining to life; living and thriving as a christian in this world, I need Him.

The devil doesn’t go to empty vaults. He attacks loaded vaults. That is you and I.

For the strength to do the much that God asks of me, I pray. For the courage to step out in faith, I pray. For the grace to endure the hard seasons, I pray. For strategy in warfare, I pray. For wisdom, I pray. For the confidence to speak His word, I pray. For trust in the silence (especially when I do not understand), I pray. For the desire for more of Him, I pray. For everything, I pray.

Darling, as you start off your week, remember this truth, perfect love casts out all fear. Boldly declare this in the face of doubt and fear. Oh, and those challenges that lay ahead, the ones that may make you question if there is even a God, they got nothing on you. I know this to be #facts, because God has already said you have overcome them. All of them. Know that I am praying for you, and I am also rooting for you. Thrive darling. Thrive. 💚

Happy Monyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!

xoxo

Mel.