Wouldn’t it be great if becoming a Christian meant all of our doubts and fears went away? Have you ever wondered why you struggle with insecurities and self-doubts even though you know you are a child of God?
Maybe God is leading you to do something but doubt has convinced you you’re not smart enough or gifted enough. Perhaps you wanted kids and now you have a family, but now you question if you have what it takes to be a good mom. Or maybe you’ve wanted to change jobs and now have opportunity, but doubt you will succeed at something new.
In Monday’s post, I described the day I discovered the shadow of my doubt. After begging God to zap me with confidence {and realizing it wasn’t going to happen} I asked Him show me what made me start feeling so insecure and uncertain.
Immediately I remembered Gideon, a man who was also called by God yet paralyzed by feelings of inadequacy.
From reading his story in Judges 6, I knew Gideon overcame his doubts and fears by focusing on what God thought about him, instead of what he thought about himself. But first, Gideon processed his doubts with God in a very honest way. He told the angel of the Lord that he questioned God’s presence and doubted His promises because of recent conflicts and defeats.
It was time for me to get honest with God, too. I needed more than a quick fix; I needed to figure out what triggered my self-doubts and led me into such a yucky place of uncertainty.
Earlier that week a conflict with a friend made me doubt I should even be in ministry. After all, self-doubt whispered, if I can’t maintain healthy relationships at all times in all areas, how can I help others? I also received feedback on a project that week. Although there were several positive comments, one harsh criticism overshadowed the compliments and consumed my focus.
I had also fallen into the comparison trap and caught myself comparing my abilities as a speaker to others who’d been booked for an upcoming event with me. Self-doubt convinced me I wasn’t as gifted as they were.
Conflict, criticism and comparison had sent me into the shadows of doubt.
What about you? When conflict arises at home or at work, do you ever assume it disqualifies you from other ministries or callings? Does criticism ever paralyze you from believing you can do certain things? Or, has comparison ever convinced you that someone else can do it (whatever “it” is) better than you can?
I used to think insecurity was a negative emotion, a lapse of faith, a dip in self-confidence, and I wanted God to simply make my doubts go away. But instead, God has used my doubts to lead me to a place of deeper dependence on Him and His promises.
In my book, A Confident Heart, I share how we can allow God to change the way we think, which will change the way we feel, and eventually transform the way we live!
It’s not a quick fix but a powerful process of identifying our doubts, what triggers them and then learning to rely on God’s power and promises to lead us beyond the shadow of our doubts.
So, the next time you start feeling uncertain or insecure, ask God to help you identify what thoughts triggered your doubts. Then process that trigger point through the filter of God’s perspective. Asking Him if there are lies you’re believing that need to be replaced with His truth. Then change your thought process by focusing on His thoughts towards you, instead of your thoughts about yourself. For instance:
- When doubt tells you that you can’t do something because it’s too hard, remember God says you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Phil. 4:13).
- When doubt tells you that you’re not good enough, focus on the truth that God says you’re fearfully and wonderfully made; all of His works are wonderful and you are one of them (Ps. 139:14).
Friend, I have no doubt God wants you to live with a confident heart! Some days it will be about what He’s calling you to do— but more than that it will be about what He wants to do in you — as you learn to completely depend on Him!
By Renee Swope, Leading Women to Live Confidently in Christ
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{Learn more about A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God’s Promises}
Take Renee’s Doubt Index Analysis. It’s a FREE short quiz to help you identify your most common self-doubts, what triggers them and their affects on your life and relationships.
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ABOUT RENEE SWOPE
Proverbs 31 Ministries radio co-host, speaker, author and Executive Director of radio and devotions. But my favorite role is wife to J.J. and mom Joshua (17), Andrew (14) and my sweet Ethiopian...
