Yes You Can

Has God ever asked you to do something that absolutely terrified you?  That is exactly what happened to me a few days ago.  I received an email asking me to speak at a women’s tea.  Immediately, I thought “No, there is just no way I can do this.”  My comfort zone is behind a pen, behind the screen of this impersonal computer where I have time to construct my thoughts and if I am judged I do not see the reaction of disagreement, boredom, or displeasure.

As I remembered the vivid picture of tunnel vision and feelings of nausea during each speech in college, God gave me a scripture that quickly eased my fears and gave me peace.  2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, just willing!  That verse says His power is made perfect through our weaknesses not our own abilities.  But if we refuse to do what he asks until we feel fully prepared, then the moment He needed us may have been passed.

What keeps us from stepping out in faith?  Fear is probably what causes most of us say, “I just can’t do that”.  We prefer to do things that are safe, but playing it safe causes us to miss many blessings that God has to offer.  The moment you step out in faith and trust God, He will provide strength.  Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Him who gives me strength.” You CAN’T do it alone, but you CAN do whatever God calls you to do through His strength!

What’s holding you back from being completely obedient to God?  There are three things you should do before saying “no”.

• Trust – Place your trust in Him rather than your feelings.  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding,” (Proverbs 3:5).
• Pray – Seek God’s direction – “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths,” (Proverbs 3:6).
• Proceed – Go wherever God leads you and do whatever He requires. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” (Isaiah 55:8).

I have to admit that God has asked me to do other things that terrified me.  And believe me when I say that there have been things I absolutely refused to do and later regretted.  But when I’ve been obedient, things were much easier than I expected because God’s power was made perfect in my weakness.  I also found those were the times that have brought some of the greatest blessings in my life.

When God asks us to do something, it will often be out of our comfort zone.  If we are confident in our own abilities, His power gets stifled by our confidence, and it becomes OUR project instead of HIS.  But when we choose to allow Him to use us despite our weaknesses, HIS power shines through instead of our own.  When you make yourself available, you will be amazed at what God can do through you.  Through His strength, you CAN do it, so say “yes” with confidence in His power!

Related articles

• Strength Made Perfect in Weakness? (virtuousgracious.wordpress.com)
• Moving out of my comfortable bubble! (melsmind.wordpress.com)