Reflections On Self Doubt
It is not what you are that holds you back. It’s what you think you are not. ~ Unknown ~
When the ball dropped in Times Square at midnight on New Year’s Eve, my first response was, “Thank God, that year is over!” I can’t remember ever being happier to see a year leave as I was when 2013 finally went away! It was one of the most difficult years I have lived through – spiritually, emotionally and financially. But mostly spiritually; I really believe most of our struggles stem from spiritual issues that haven’t been dealt with. And I have learned (the hard way) that our spiritual battles are the most difficult to discern.
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When I started this blog, it was a pure act of faith. I had no idea what I was doing and I knew nothing about blogging. I just knew in my heart that writing was God’s Will for my life because He loves me entirely too much to have given me the desire and the ability to write, if it was not His Will for me to do so. I made a commitment to learn and teach others how to apply Biblical Principles to everyday life because as Christians we are called to be more than hearers of the Word. We are also expected to be doers as well. A lot of us stumble in the doing simply because we don’t know how. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6
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If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced. ~ Vincent Van Gogh ~
Along the way I stumbled. I stopped writing regularly because doubt slipped in. If you start listening to those negative comments that flicker through your mind, it’s a wrap. Well I started listening to, and eventually believing that voice. The one that told me I had nothing to say.. because… I really wasn’t qualified, not good enough, out of my league, etc. These thoughts led to questions, “What if I’m wrong? What if my perception of the Word is skewed?”
Doubts lead to questions that produce more doubts that lead to more questions… then you’re like… “Just forget it. I can’t do this.” So you stop, and the longer you wait, the harder it is to start again.
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And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts?” Luke 24:38
Simply put – Doubt is fear. And fear is not from God. Fear comes courtesy of satan which is why we are cautioned to pay attention to our thoughts. We must remember to Examine Every Thought that enters our minds – immediately. If the thought is not in line with God’s Word it has to go. Left unattended those types of thoughts will take root, they will magnify and they will become strongholds.
I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
When you’re on the path God has chosen for you – you know it. That is where you experience the joy and peace that can only come from Christ. But we can not afford to become complacent and neglect to be watchful because, “our adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.”
What are your thoughts on self doubt? How has it affected you?
