I’m no Captain Kirk but then again I’m not going up against any Klingons.
Second Timothy 1: 7 says “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Unfortunately, even with this knowledge and assurance we still tell ourselves a story over and over about how little we can do.
This Thursday I resolved to quit letting my limiting beliefs hold me back and to quit shying away from difficult things or untested waters. I won’t be beamed down on some hostile planet with my phaser only set to stun but I imagine I’m going to find myself in some squirm-worthy zones. I know that there will be fear and discomfort and I know I’ll feel a bit like a fish out of water. I also know that James 1:5 tells me, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” I’ve been in some of those situations before and I can tell you a quick prayer and diving right in has never let me down.
When Brandie and I got married somehow, someway we decided it would be neat if I would sing to her during the ceremony. Thinking back on it now I have no idea how or why we thought that was a good idea. I’d never done so much as sung a solo in church or school before and I wasn’t one comfortable with the spotlight. I think though, that I had the encouragement of someone who loved me and I in turn wanted everyone to know how much I loved her. So, for better or for worse, I sang “Can’t help falling in love” to Brandie in the middle of the ceremony much to the surprise and amazement of everyone including my mom. I guess it went okay.
I think that mutual love and trust we shared in hatching that hare-brained plan goes along a little bit with what it says in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” See, I think at some time on many days we have the opportunity to go places we’ve never been. Too often I think we don’t seize that opportunity. We don’t know how it will go, how things will turn out and if we’ll look foolish in the process. The thing is we have someone who will show us the way no matter how clueless we may be. Isaiah 42:16 says: “And I will lead the blind in a way that they do not know, in paths that they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I do, and I do not forsake them.”
In the worlds of the immortal Carl Spangler, “So I’ve got that going for me, which is nice.” So I’ll forge on with advice and assurance and confidence that God will get me through the things I know I should do but don’t have a clue how to do. He’ll show me the way, which really is nice.
I hope these few verses give you courage to do the tough stuff that you encounter and if you know someone who is struggling with something or has a hard time stepping out there, you’ll share it with them. It’s my hope that it might help them.
If you would like to read more in my blog you can click here to go to the home page and if you like this and would like to receive an email every Saturday with links to the week’s posts you can subscribe by clicking this. Subscribing is free and easy and you don’t have to worry about getting a bunch of junk as I never sell or share emails.