I Think I Can, I Think I Can:
Overcoming the Negative side effects of Revitalization
Everyone has Dark Days: Dark Days of Doubt, Disappointment, Distress, and Depression
Job 30:26, But, when I hoped for good, evil came, and when I waited for light, darkness came.
“I came to you in weakness – timid and trembling.” 1 Cor. 2:3 (TLB)
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”
4 responses to doubt:
* Listen to your doubts
Stop calling ourselves names and we start calling on God’s name
* Ignore your doubts
If listening to your doubts makes them big, ignoring them makes them
bigger. You put them in a corner and pretend they’re not there and
they grow bigger and bigger.
* Lie to your doubts
* Tell your doubts the Truth & Act on that Truth
- My calling is a calling to equip others – I have a purpose!
Be An Example
“Do not let anyone treat you as if you are unimportant because you are Do not let anyone treat you as if you are unimportant because you are young. Instead, be an example to the believers with your words, your actions, your love, your faith, and your pure life.” 1 Tim. 4:12 (NCV)
“And you should follow my example, just as I follow Christ’s.”
“And you should follow my example, just as I follow Christ’s.” 1 Cor. 11:1 (TLB)
If I’m going to be an example to someone (and I am whether I want to be or not, whether I think I deserve it or not, I am) then I may as well follow the best example I have — that’s Jesus Christ. If I’ll follow Him and make the best attempt I can to follow Him, then those who are following me just might catch some of that and be following Him to.
- I am called – My calling qualifies me. My qualifications don’t make me called.
Depend on God.
Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.” 2 Cor. 3:5
One of the main reasons God allows a season of self-doubt to come into my life and your life, is to remind us of the fact that we have to depend on Him. He’s the one we find our confidence in.
“… apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)
Genuine confidence has to be built on the genuine truth. The truth is I am inadequate for a lot of life’s needs. I can’t meet all of my own needs.
“I can do all things through Christ, because he gives me strength.” Phil. 4:13 (NCV)
As Pastors we live between two worlds constantly; what we know God has spoken and what is currently taking place. That gap is the gap of self-doubt.
It’s in that gap that the preparation for ministry and the ability to handle that ministry is formed. If we skip that gap or refuse to learn in that gap then I forfeit the blessing or I cannot handle the blessing.
- Go back to your abilities and gifts…Don’t try to be someone you are not.
Use Your Gifts. Strengthen your gifts. DON’T RELY SOLELY ON
EXPERIENCE
“I remind you to keep using the gift God gave you when I laid my hands on “I remind you to keep using the gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. Now let it grow, as a small flame grows into a fire2 Tim. 1:6 (NCV)
During a season of self-doubt, two great temptations come into our lives, as regards to God’s gifts. One is the temptation to be an imitator. The other is the temptation to be a spectator.
“Do not neglect your gift…” 1 Tim. 4:14 (NIV)
“Each one would use whatever gift he has received to serve others.”
1 Pet. 4;10 (NIV)
Decide to Grow
“Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes!” !” 1 Tim. 4:15 (TM)
“Grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and “Grow in spiritual strength and become better acquainted with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Pet. 3:18 (TLB)
“With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.” Eph. 3:20 (NCV)
Decide which voice you are going to listen to
Find the Truth
Stand on the Promises
Speak Wisely (check Ten Day Word Fast Study on YouVersion)
Be Bold (not obnoxious – not dictatorial)
Frogs have an advantage over us, they eat things that bug them.
The key to boldness is staying spiritually filled and emotionally healthy.
Confident
People seldom follow a clueless leader
Ambitious – take the lead. Leaders lead. Leaders step out. Leaders put the first boot on the ground. In order to say, Follow Me, you must take the first step.
Strong not rude
Bold not a bully Don’t begin to practice what is problematic.
It takes boldness to win the day. To build your influence, you’ve got to walk in front of your group. You’ve got to be willing to take the first arrow, tackle the first problem, and discover the first sign of trouble.
Proud not arrogant: It takes pride to win the day. It takes pride to build your ambition. It takes pride in community. It takes pride in cause, in accomplishment
Jeremiah 13:15, “Hear and pay attention, do not be arrogant, for the Lord has spoken.”
Humble not timid: humility is a virtue; but timidity is a disease. Timidity is an affliction.
A preacher should have the mind of a scholar, the heart of a child and the hide of a rhinoceros. His biggest problem is how to toughen his hide without hardening his heart.—Vance Havner