God is always faithful to increase in us accurate qualities that prevent us from experiencing ineffective and unproductive efforts in sharing our knowledge of Jesus with others (2 Peter 1:5-8). He wants to use us to prevent those, who are humble enough to receive His truth, from an eternity of destruction.
King Saul relied on himself rather than the Lord, and his shortcomings, failings, and anxieties crippled his effectiveness as king and caused him to resent David whom God ordained to take his place (1 Samuel 9 to 31). As a young Christian, I acted like Saul.
I relied on myself, and I was haunted by negative comments made by significant others in my past. I fell prey to their destructive influence, and I allowed my inadequacies and failings to add to my fear and mistrust of life, and to influence these deficient feelings flooding my soul.
Sometimes, because of these negative experiences and beliefs, I even declined the opportunities God gave me to allow Christ to make a difference in someone else’s life through me. I tried to prove to God that I was worthy of His calling. I relied on my own talents and knowledge to accomplish God’s will in my life.
Once I started stepping out of my comfort zone and gaining a bit of confidence in Christ in me (Colossians 1:27), my motives in ministry still reflected my lifelong need to earn love from God and others. I failed every time too; or I ended up weary, burnt out, and only partially accomplishing what God called me to do.
Through the years of walking in His presence, God’s Spirit cleansed me from the effects of this unconstructive criticism and these past failings. Now, when I make the effort to rely on the unlimited power of Christ in me (Galatians 2:20), my success rate increases dramatically.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, I thank You for forgiving me when I allowed fear to hinder me from obeying Your will for my life. Thank You for giving me small successes to build up my confidence in Your ability to work through me. Help us all to be instant in season and out of season because the darkness is closing in toward a time when people will no longer endure hearing sound doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2-3).
The negative baggage in my life previously hindered me from fully seeing the incredible power of Christ in me working through me. Over the years in Your service, You taught me that instead of depending on myself, I can bridle my human reasoning as Your Spirit within me directs my thoughts, words, and deeds. Thank You that by Your divine power within us, You give us everything we need for living a Godly life (2 Peter 1:3).
Thought for the Day:
We can trust God to work all things out for our good and the good of those to whom we minister. Empowered by His Spirit, we can do all things as we walk lockstep in God’s will for us, because He lives in us, walks with us, and will never, ever leave or forsake us. God’s love for us is complete and never wavers in reality and constancy.
- Romans 8:28; Philippians 4:13; Hebrews 13:5
