One reason that we doubt ourselves is sin. The devil will use our past to tell us we are unworthy to be used by Christ or that we just aren't good enough because of what we have done. When Christ Jesus was nailed to the cross, His blood not only paid for the sins we have already committed, but also the sins we will commit. 1 John 2:2 says "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." Ephesians 1:7 states, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." God sent his son to die on the cross so that our sins may be forgiven. When we become saved we get a clean slate to "start over," our former sins are not held against us.
Another reason we doubt ourselves is self-doubt; the lack of self-confidence. Self-doubt blocks the promises of God's power to change us. It keeps us from believing that things can get better, and convinces us it is not worth the bother to try. According to the dictionary, self doubt is the lack of confidence in oneself and one's abilities; a feeling of having no confidence in your abilities or decisions. To many times we go along tossing our confidence in the trash without even thinking about it. James 1:6 says, "But when you ask, you must believe, and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind."
The last reason we doubt ourselves (that I am going to hit on at least) is uncertainty. Uncertainty is the unknown or questionable. It creates a huge shadow of doubt that follows us. Think of it this way, it's about four P.M. in the middle of July. You walk outside to get something out of your car when you notice your shadow. Your shadow is much bigger than the real you. No matter what you do, your shadow follows you, you can't escape it. The shadow of doubt is the same way. Our doubt is bigger (overpowers) our confidence, the only way to escape it is to face the light. God's design for us is not to be stuck in a cycle or living in the shadow of doubt. There are many times in our walk with Christ that our faith is tested. Most of those times call for some uncertainty. We have two choices when faced with uncertainty, we can either have confidence in Christ or we can begin to allow doubt creep in. Matthew 6:34 states, "Therefore do not worry (doubt) about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Doubt and hope can not coexist in our hearts at the same time. The God of all hope is calling you out of the shadow of your doubts so that you can live with a confident heart!
The first step to living with a confident heart is for us to recognize the power we give to doubt, then stand up to it and claim confidence is ours through Christ. This process can only happen if you are willing to be honest with God and yourself. Lean on a trusted friend or mentor to help keep you accountable in the processes of claiming your confidence. 1 John 5:14-15 says, "And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him." God desires us to have confidence, all we have to do is ask! God declares with confidence, things can change. In Mark 9:23 Jesus states, "All things are possible for the one who believes." Belief is having confidence that God is able. Beyond believing in Him, God wants us to believe Him! He desires for us to believe Him by relying on the power of His words and promises and living like they are true no matter what our feelings say. We can be confident that if we are praying God's word that we are praying God's will. Believe that He can do what He says He can do.
God applies the same power to our need that He extended when He raised Christ from the dead! (Ephesians 1:18-23) God wields incomparably great power for those who choose to believe Him. Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." God works for our good, He will not cause us harm. We can have full confidence in God, that He will never do anything or lead us anywhere that is going to harm us. There will be times we are challenged to have full confidence in God from one season to the next. 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 states, "Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God." Hebrews 4:15-16 says, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." We are able to approach the throne of God, not because of we do, but because of what Christ Jesus did! Because of Christ's sacrifice, we have been given the right and the privilege to come before God in complete confidence. Christ understands our weaknesses, he faced all of the same tests that we do, yet he did not sin. If we approach the throne boldly with confidence, it is there that we will receive His mercy and grace. We are not to approach the throne of the Almighty cowering in fear or behind our sins, weaknesses, or mistakes; but in great boldness, with confidence. And we come knowing we will receive His grace and mercy. When we approach the throne in weakness or fear, we are allowing the enemy space in our time with God.
God is calling us to believe Him! He is calling us to put our confidence in Him, to truly rely on and have faith that He is able. Hebrews 10:35 says, "So do not throw away your confidence, because it has great reward." Matthew 7:20 states "Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith (confidence in God) like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from her to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." Faith is having complete confidence or trust in someone. God wants us to have complete faith and confidence in the things that we pray for. Don't be so safe in the things you pray! Declare your needs and wants before the Lord. He longs for someone to be bold, relying on Him in confidence that He will come through.
Without faith it is impossible to please God! Faith is confidence, therefore without complete confidence in Christ it is impossible to please God. The most monumental leap we can take toward our freedom from doubt is the leap to our knees. Begin to cry out and confess your doubt to God. Pray his word, this is one of the most life changing ways we can learn to live in the security of His promises. You will be amazed at the things that begin to take place in your life when you believe God with complete confidence!
- Lord God, please help me to be like Abraham who, by faith, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. (Hebrews 11:8) Help me not to miss future blessings because I refuse to go to a place with you that I've never been before.
- Father God, help me to be self-controlled and alert. My enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Help me to resist him, standing firm in the faith. I can be assured that other believers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:8)
- Oh Lord, according to your wonderful word, this the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:4-5) Help me to see that faith is crucial if I am going to be a victor and an overcomer.
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