As I’ve been planning for the Creative Christianity Summit and the Journal Launch, I’ve noticed my faith being tested. This is typical of any spiritually connected moment. I feel the high of walking closely with the Lord, listening, and putting into action the things He shares with me.
Then, when the moment is about to happen, the stealer of joy approaches. Lies fill my mind. Doubts try to creep in. Questions abound – I’m not qualified. It’s not going to happen. Is this what God wanted? Did I hear Him correctly? Nothing is going to come from it. People won’t care. The list could go on and on.
The more I walk with the Lord, the more I am aware of these moments. My emotions want to give in. I want to cry and cave to the defeat. But I know where it’s coming from. I can see that none of those lies line up with Scripture or what the Lord has confirmed in my heart.
It’s good to do a check.
I’m not qualified –
Lie: The enemy loves to manipulate truth and mix it with lies to make it more believable and hindering. He’s right, I’m not qualified in anything. I’ll never be perfect or completely competent in anything. But the lie mixed in that is that I will fail, so I shouldn’t even bother trying.
Truth: Is that I am not qualified in myself – but – I am qualified through the Lord. He will equip me with what I need to do what He has asked of me. “Apart from Me you can do nothing” – John 15:5b, but with Him, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13
It’s not going to happen –
Lie: Satan might be right in the fact that it most likely won’t happen – in the time I expect it to. Human ways, times, and standards are not the Lord’s.
Truth: It’ll happen at the Lord’s appointed time – “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11
If the Lord has asked you to do something, it will happen in His appointed time because it will fit perfectly into His greater picture and works. We cannot see beyond our ourselves what the value of our life is worth. Only the Lord can see how it all connects. So, hold on and trust that His word will be accomplished in its perfect time.
Is this really what God wanted? Did I hear Him correctly?
Lie: How can you really know what God wants? It was probably your own idea. Let it go. Move on.
Truth: “My sheep hear My voice. I know them and they follow Me.” – John 10:27. “God has spoken once; I have heard this twice…” – Psalm 62:11. “But the message is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may follow it.” – Deuteronomy 30:14
The Lord is persistent in His desires for you. He will continue to confirm His word until it is accomplished. If you are uncertain whether it is God’s word to you or your own ideas, look for signs from Him. He will confirm it to you through people, circumstances, and the Bible itself. It will come upon your heart multiple times so that your faith may be firm, you stand against the lie, and you move forward in it as the Lord directs.
Nothing will come from it –
Lie: Even if you do the thing God calls you to, nothing will come from it. You won’t see the fruit of your hard labours. It’ll be worthless.
Truth: “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit…” – John 15:5a. “So My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please and will prosper in what I send it to do.” – Isaiah 55:11
When we’re walking with the Lord and doing what He asks, we will bear fruit. His word “will prosper in what [He] sends it to do”. We are called to be faithful and obedient to Him. Then we can leave the rest in His hands. He will produce from the work all that He desires.
People won’t care –
Lie: No one cares. No one sees Jesus in you. All your efforts will be wasted on people. You’re not valuable. Your work isn’t valuable.
Truth: “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” – 1 Peter 2:9
“Conduct yourselves honourably among the Gentiles, so that in a case where they speak against you as those who do what is evil, they will, by observing your good works, glorify God on the day of visitation.” – 1 Peter 2:12
“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23-24
All that you do is for the Lord. All your hard efforts and good works will bring Him glory. That’s what really matters. Not whether man approves or likes it, but the Lord alone. He will provide for you and bring fruit from your efforts. He can turn the hearts of men to find value in your work. But that’s not where your attention needs to be.
The enemy will try to get you to look for the approval of man. He will make you think that what you did was in the wrong timing or way. He’ll try to make you think it was all wrong and counted for nothing.
But the Lord sees all your efforts. He knows those whose hearts desire Him and long to do His will. If you’re growing in a relationship with Jesus, you can place everything else in His hands. Work unto Him alone and He will honour your good works.
Continue rejoicing and giving thanks in your endeavours with the Lord, even if you don’t see the fruits of your labour yet. The Lord will bless you and bring it about it His time. This can be applied to all things of your life: Relationships, ministry, business, spiritual growth, etc.
Keeping looking up, leaning in, and being strengthened by the Lord and His word. You are truly an irreplaceable “chosen race, royal priesthood, holy nation”, and valued possession to the Lord. Press on and keep His Word active in your heart and in your mouth. You are guaranteed to win.
