WHAT DO I DO?

Have you ever felt a bit discouraged after giving your life to Christ? Uncertain about the 'rules', how to pray and sometimes what to pray for can be a task.

I've been privileged to grow up around spiritual giants in the faith like my grand-dad, mom, grandmother and many aunts and uncles that are pastors and deacons but what happened in that process was intimidation, fear and comparison. Afraid that any step I make can be a mistake. Have you ever felt like that? The Lord knows that we need validation and that emotional support so he gives us a word.

And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You, I am well pleased." Luke 3:22 NKJV

Lord knows I have asked one too many times to show me a sign, give me a word and more clarity after I have been given instruction but where hesitation comes is when I see someone else doing something similar and I start to compare. Many times I look at the person as being more capable than I am and feel uncomfortable completing the instruction. The instruction seems more difficult to do and sometimes I even forget what I was supposed to do.

It is okay to need reassurance but the instruction MUST still be completed. One chapter before Jesus had been tempted in the wilderness by Satan, the Lord said to Jesus "You are My beloved Son; in You, I am well pleased." Jesus was given assurance before that wilderness season, the season when it feels like it is just you and God has somehow left. There was another time Jesus was really feeling this living on earth thing. The bible said Jesus' sweat became like great drops of blood and He prayed "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done." Then an angel came from heaven and strengthened Jesus. When we do not know what to do we seek the Lord for answers and He gives us what we need when it is needed.

If you ever thought Jesus' ministry was perfect you thought wrong, there was a time when the disciples compared themselves to each other asking who is the greatest? Then another time when James and John's mom came to Jesus asking if her sons can sit on the right and left of Jesus on the throne, where would the other ten disciples sit? Can you imagine the audacity of that mother and the frustration brought to the head in that ministry?

Who are you comparing yourself to that may be stopping you from completing what the Lord has given you to do?

I remember when I thought the assignments the Lord would give would only be ministry related but I am now understanding that it can be in the workforce as well. After I had been given an instruction to start my business and the direction I should take the business I was so insecure about making the steps because I did not feel qualified enough. There was teaching I heard and the Holy Spirit asked 'What would it take for you to be qualified?' After so many certificates, courses, and late nights developing and redeveloping your skill with no real action. Do you know the story of Gideon? (Judges 6) Even when we are disobedient and cry out to the Lord He hears our cry, the Israelites were disobedient but cried out to the Lord He sent a prophet to speak to them after being mistreated and suffering. Gideon afraid because of the hardship had an encounter where an angel came to him while he was hiding "the Lord is with you, you mighty man of valour!" This was definitely speaking prophetically, removing self-doubt and the mental attack that happens when we are given instructions. Gideon was so uncertain of what he heard he needed the angel to repeat what he said. "Pardon me, Sir" the enemy comes with thoughts of the inability and the circumstances around you. This happened to Gideon but the Lord cannot see what is happening to us, we are having so many troubles, Gideon said I heard about the good works of the Lord but I have not seen any. He was honest. The Lord told Gideon to go out and use his power to make the change, we can see a problem and complain about the problem but we can make a change. As a matter of fact, Gideon reminded the Lord of how weak his family was.

Lord, you remember this is me my family doesn't like to work, the aunty that smokes, the uncle that pretends to be a Christian but he really is not. No worries, the Lord said, "I am with you." Gideon said I need a sign, I need proof. Later right before battle Gideon felt a little insecure and uncertain and asked the Lord to show proof once again. The ground is dry bring dew and make this floor moist. There are times when we are intimidated by what we are up against, and who we are up against and the Lord will show us that He is with us. In chapter 7 the test got a little testier. The Lord told Gideon you need fewer soldiers, given that they were in the minority. Lord this math just ain't mathing, the Lord said tell your men who are afraid to leave and more than half left. The Lord tested this group another time and it was even fewer soldiers. The Lord proved that winning this battle has nothing to do with you, how you feel or how many soldiers you have. The last test I thought was so profound when the Lord said, "if you are afraid, go to their camp and listen to what they are saying."

If you need more proof that the Lord is with you, he will put you in a position where your enemies are afraid of you. Come on Jesus!!

Those board meetings and business meetings that you have been running away from are necessary for the next season. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies (Psalms 23:5). The table in business, career at speaking engagements, in ministry. Don't be afraid because your enemy is there they have to be there to fulfill the word. The Lord said I will open double doors, gates will not shut, I will make crooked paths straight, I will break bronze gates in pieces, cut iron bars and give you treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places (Isaiah 45:1-3). The Lord has greatness for us but if we are hiding like Gideon not wanting to make a move because we have compared ourselves to others, looked at what we may not have at the moment and think we are not capable of it; it will be impossible to receive or see these things fulfill in our lifetime.