Burnt out. Emotionally fatigued. Spiritually drained. Feeling a bit lost. Hopeless.
I didn’t want to write this. I considered giving up. Who am I to share anything encouraging when I’m not feeling too encouraged myself?
Up against the clock, close to letting the deadline slip past – then God stepped in.
One encouraging Facebook message and an uplifting conversation with a friend later – I felt I heard the message.
But quickly the excitement faded, something else got in the way, doubt again took over and I put off taking the time to write.
Another day goes by – I’m then blessed by the words of Life Church Pastor Craig Groeschel asking, “are you pursuing comfort or are you pursuing your calling?”
This hit home.
“I’m tired, I don’t feel like it, now is not a good time, I’m busy, I’m overwhelmed, I’d rather get to sleep, I just can’t”…turned into, “I can push though, I will feel like it once I start, now is the only time, I’m engaged, I have opportunities, I’ve survived on less sleep, I CAN!”
It would be comfortable to get to bed early, not challenge myself to write, avoid feeling vulnerable by sharing my own doubt.
However, I believe sharing personal struggle and overcoming it can benefit others. If I’ve been called to share, and this can help just one person, that’s what I will do.
Regardless of how we serve or what we do, I think everyone experiences this level of doubt. Some more frequently than others. It is in these moments we must trust in God’s plan for us.
God consistently uses individuals, very often unsuspecting and/or self doubting ones, to carry out His plan – think David (too small) or Moses (inept speaker). We must accept that He knows better than we ever can.
Doubt is a natural feeling, especially if you’ve lost the discipline of trusting God daily. It’s by actively trusting in God we build firm confidence not in ourselves but in Him!
Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.
Hebrews 10:36 NLT
