BY JESSICA LANDMON
I don’t know about you, but at the end of the day, I simply want to use every bit of talent God trusted me with and use it for His glory. This seems simple enough. But if I am truly honest with you, I admit that I often get in my own way. You see, the female mind is an interesting place. On one hand, it is full of dreams, vision, and hope, but on the other, it can also be filled with negative thinking, fear of rejection, and a desire to control. We are often the ones who are holding ourselves back from our calling. Let me explain.
First of all, we are our hardest critics. We tend to focus on all the negative attributes in our lives, rather than God’s power at work within us. We allow feelings of inadequacy, shame, and insecurity hold us back from fully realizing our potential in Christ. The biggest problem is that we think that we have to have it all together to be used by God. That is a lie. It is the Holy Spirit power alive in us that enables us to do anything.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us. - Ephesians 3:20, NIV
Second, as women, the fear of rejection is especially real. From those early days in gym class where teams were being chosen, right through womanhood, we have dealt with acceptance issues. What happens if we put ourselves out there and people reject us? What if we volunteer in ministry and we are told no? What if we apply for that job and we get turned down? What then? We allow this fear of rejection to cripple us, and consequently, we never take that step of faith.
And lastly, we often try to make things happen in our own strength. We think that in order to get to point A, we must travel a certain route, one that makes sense in our own mind. This is wrong thinking.
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” – Isaiah 55:8, NLT
God’s ways are higher than ours, and much better. We need to lay down our ideas and preconceived notions, and allow God to do His work. By putting our hands in it, in an effort to control, we simply make a mess. We need to completely submit to God’s ways.
It is time to get out of your own way and walk in the calling God set before you. Will you be courageous enough to trust the Lord and His plans for your life despite your insecurities? Will you lay down your fear of rejection and hold on to the promises of God? Will you relinquish control and embrace the unknown? If your answer is yes, get ready for the Holy Spirit to take you on an adventure beyond your wildest imagination.
Ladies, your destiny is waiting . . .