Doubt

Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt completely and utterly discouraged. If I were looking into a crowd of people, I’d see most hands raised, including my own–and God bless you if you’ve never felt the pangs of uncertainty and doubt because it can be a daily struggle for most.
 
I can remember ever since I was a child having the desire to be impactful to those around me. I would-in the first grade-help my group members complete their phonics lessons because they were lost and confused and I knew the answers, so I needed to help them.
 
Ever since then, I’ve always had this innate desire to help, lead and impact the world with goodness. The only problem is, my heart is so huge and passionate and there are so many people in the world that it makes my goal feel enormous and impossible. I grew up and lost the childlike faith that told me nothing was impossible. I began to withdraw myself and hide this huge gift of love that was intended to be shared.
 
I’ve come to realize that one of the bigger factors that derail me from completely opening myself up is fear. Fear that my words aren’t good enough or profound enough to change the world. And that’s the ridiculous part, isn’t it? That we put this pressure on ourselves to change the whole world! God never asked me to change the world; He plays a much bigger role in that than I do. He simply asked me to be obedient and I allowed fear to creep in and tell me that I wasn’t enough to do what He called me to do.

Isaiah 41:9-10 [CSB]
“I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said to you: You are my servant; I have chosen you; I haven’t rejected you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you…”
 
Whenever I doubt myself or find myself facing fear or anxiety in being who I truly am called to be, I refer to this verse. It so clearly and explicitly tells us that we belong to Him! And that he is constantly with us. We get this notion that He isn’t listening or understanding what it is we face; what we’re up against. Yet, if we truly understood how intricately He designed us, we’d fret less about understanding. He wants, no desires, for us to seek Him out. Not just once in a quiet corner all alone, but fervently and incessantly.
 
I would pray that we begin to choose to see ourselves the way God sees us and stop buying into Satan’s deception. We were fearfully and wonderfully made yet, we fail to remind ourselves of that and we downplay who we truly are. Erase the doubts and open your hearts. You are chosen and you are His! 🙂
 
Guest Blogger,
Jasmine Ross