“If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too.” Those words are actually a pivotal question that each person of faith asks himself at a defining juncture. Simply put, do you believe in yourself when everyone else does not? Do you possess a faith with the requisite inner fortitude and spiritual gravitas to stand steadfastly for the truth even if you stand alone? Rudyard Kipling asks his son this critical question in his immortal poem, “If.” During “defining moments,” we discover whether we believe in ourselves.
It is my experience that one must believe in one’s self as firmly as one believes in Almighty God. A fleeting glance at the canvass of history reveals people of major accomplishments who share two very important traits. First, they adhere to a genuine spirituality which firmly stipulates an unwavering belief in Almighty God. Second, their faith in God translates into an equally powerful belief in themselves. The second half of Ephesians 3:20 challenges us to cultivate an unrelenting faith in our own abilities. Indeed, God accomplishes miraculous things that far exceed our imaginations. However, He does it according to His power that is at work within us.
Admittedly, crises in faith emerge when we doubt God. Life further tests our faith when we doubt that God could accomplish something extraordinary through us. We really question whether we possess the internal resources to complete a divine assignment. You recall Moses’ doubts concerning his speech impediment. Gideon hides in a cave, while threshing wheat, to escape the robbery and subjugation of the Midianites. He asks God to prove His greatness about which Gideon heard from Israel’s elders. Queen Esther hides her Israelite heritage and nearly remains silent during the imminent threat of genocide to her people. John Mark, the reputed author of the gospel which bears his name, abandons the first missionary journey because he longs for the creature comforts of his “middle class” lifestyle. To experience the bountiful blessings of an Ephesians 3:20 faith, it is imperative that we believe in ourselves. Otherwise, our dreams and goals will become eventually a pile of ashes that the fires of fear consumed over the years.
Chances are everyone experiences being told that they are incapable of achieving a dream. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team; the coach decided that he lacked the skills. The acclaimed rhythm and blues singer, Anita Baker, was told that she could not sing. Albert Einstein’s parents were told that he would not amount to anything in life. Phil Mikkelson, a professional golfer, lost forty-five consecutive tournaments before finally winning championship. Susan Lucci became the laughing stock among soap opera actors as she received sixteen successive Emmy nominations before winning. Abraham Lincoln only won one political election in his lifetime. Undoubtedly, these notable persons were advised to abandon their heartfelt ambitions. The people who shared such “wisdom” certainly thought that they were helping. Consider the athletic artistry, soul stirring music, unparalleled acting, scientific advancements and political rhetoric that humankind would have foregone had they listened to the internal fears and external reservations. Instead, they thankfully found the will to persevere by believing staunchly in themselves.
I have had my own experiences with well-meaning naysayers who truly believe that they had my best interest at heart. A fellow student asked me how long I would last at the college from which I graduated. One of my high school English teachers told me that I could not write when she returned an “ungradeable” paper to me. My neighbors, if they picked me for a team, always chose me last. A devoted pastor who expends hours in sermon crafting, I have been told that I could not “preach” because I do not mimic the vapid delivery style called “whooping.” Ironically, these “dream killers” empowered me to cultivate focus, discipline, excellence and success in life. I have a very strong sense of self. I greatly value my abilities and potential. I know who I am as a child of God. I further know I am capable of excelling at anything to which I commit myself wholeheartedly.
Perhaps, you too are just an average man or woman who seeks the fulfillment of your heartfelt dreams and goals. On the authority of the Word of God, I strongly encourage you to accept yourself unconditionally. Equally, believe unreservedly in you!
It is my experience that one must believe in one’s self as firmly as one believes in Almighty God. A fleeting glance at the canvass of history reveals people of major accomplishments who share two very important traits. First, they adhere to a genuine spirituality which firmly stipulates an unwavering belief in Almighty God. Second, their faith in God translates into an equally powerful belief in themselves. The second half of Ephesians 3:20 challenges us to cultivate an unrelenting faith in our own abilities. Indeed, God accomplishes miraculous things that far exceed our imaginations. However, He does it according to His power that is at work within us.
Admittedly, crises in faith emerge when we doubt God. Life further tests our faith when we doubt that God could accomplish something extraordinary through us. We really question whether we possess the internal resources to complete a divine assignment. You recall Moses’ doubts concerning his speech impediment. Gideon hides in a cave, while threshing wheat, to escape the robbery and subjugation of the Midianites. He asks God to prove His greatness about which Gideon heard from Israel’s elders. Queen Esther hides her Israelite heritage and nearly remains silent during the imminent threat of genocide to her people. John Mark, the reputed author of the gospel which bears his name, abandons the first missionary journey because he longs for the creature comforts of his “middle class” lifestyle. To experience the bountiful blessings of an Ephesians 3:20 faith, it is imperative that we believe in ourselves. Otherwise, our dreams and goals will become eventually a pile of ashes that the fires of fear consumed over the years.
Chances are everyone experiences being told that they are incapable of achieving a dream. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team; the coach decided that he lacked the skills. The acclaimed rhythm and blues singer, Anita Baker, was told that she could not sing. Albert Einstein’s parents were told that he would not amount to anything in life. Phil Mikkelson, a professional golfer, lost forty-five consecutive tournaments before finally winning championship. Susan Lucci became the laughing stock among soap opera actors as she received sixteen successive Emmy nominations before winning. Abraham Lincoln only won one political election in his lifetime. Undoubtedly, these notable persons were advised to abandon their heartfelt ambitions. The people who shared such “wisdom” certainly thought that they were helping. Consider the athletic artistry, soul stirring music, unparalleled acting, scientific advancements and political rhetoric that humankind would have foregone had they listened to the internal fears and external reservations. Instead, they thankfully found the will to persevere by believing staunchly in themselves.
I have had my own experiences with well-meaning naysayers who truly believe that they had my best interest at heart. A fellow student asked me how long I would last at the college from which I graduated. One of my high school English teachers told me that I could not write when she returned an “ungradeable” paper to me. My neighbors, if they picked me for a team, always chose me last. A devoted pastor who expends hours in sermon crafting, I have been told that I could not “preach” because I do not mimic the vapid delivery style called “whooping.” Ironically, these “dream killers” empowered me to cultivate focus, discipline, excellence and success in life. I have a very strong sense of self. I greatly value my abilities and potential. I know who I am as a child of God. I further know I am capable of excelling at anything to which I commit myself wholeheartedly.
Perhaps, you too are just an average man or woman who seeks the fulfillment of your heartfelt dreams and goals. On the authority of the Word of God, I strongly encourage you to accept yourself unconditionally. Equally, believe unreservedly in you!
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