Honestly, since I posted a few weeks ago that I would be sharing my journey through scripture with you guys, I've felt like a deer in headlights staring at my Bible.
Satan is at work.
For the past year I have been in such a good flow of reading the Word and retaining scripture. I've been both learning and hearing from Christ. Then, as soon as I posted that I want to share it with the world, it's been daunting, confusing, and has felt just plain awkward.
I think I'm trying too hard. Normally, when I journal and dissect the scriptures, I don't really think twice about what I'm writing or how I'm writing it. It's very organic and raw. When I move on to what the scripture tells me about Christ and how I want to apply that to my life, it's very personal and specific to my current struggles and circumstances.
All of a sudden, all of this has become so difficult to word properly and write in a way that seemingly has a bow tied on top. I've felt so much doubt. I've had thoughts like, "I study the Bible wrong," "I interpret the Bible incorrectly," "My application doesn't actually make sense." Ever since the blog went out into the world, Satan has been going to town on me, my marriage, my parenting, and my motivation.
So today, instead of walking you through what I'm studying right now, I'm going a different route. I'm going to explain to you what I have been doing to combat the lies that Satan is telling me and discuss where in scripture I find these truths.
For just a little more background here, you should know, I'm a self-diagnosed head case HAH! I've come a long way in my old age ;) but only because I've been working through these feelings of doubt and insecurity for years from a ministry standpoint and in many other areas of my life. When I get into these downward spirals, I go through a series of statements and scripture. I'm not saying these things to sounds conceded, more so, they're my personal pep talk.
I tell myself the following things and/or write them down:
>>I am smart. But, I don't need to be the smartest. I need to be faithful.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 I did not come with eloquent or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I cam to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.
>>I don't need know it all or do it all. God's goodness is not dependent on me or my abilities.
Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
>>God is working in and through me everyday whether I see it or not.
Romans 8:28 We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are calling according to his purpose.
>>I should boast in my weaknesses because God is mighty within me.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
>>Nothing is too hard for Christ and nothing is a surprise to Him. He knows all things and goes before me in all things.
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
>>God does not call the equipped. He equips the called.
Philippians 2:13 God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
>>My obedience matters, no matter how big or small the act.
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
>>He can do more than I can ask, think, or imagine with my availability to Him.
Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
>>Pursuing Christ, walking in the Spirit, and knowing Jesus more intimately are how I should measure success in all areas of my life.
Philippians 3:8-11 I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus as my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him. I want to know Christ, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
There are obviously many more verses that could go along with each of these statements, but these are some of my favorites. The Bible is full of scriptures that will support you in your doubt. God's word is living and breathing and is our weapon against the enemy. I'm learning everyday how to utilize it in "real time" and not just after the crash and burn.
One last encouragement...
Psalm 46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.
AMEN!!! So sister, keep on keepin' on.
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