So today I’m actually feeling a little proud of myself. Mostly because this week Jamie and I did something we’ve never done before. (That’s a big deal when you’re a major chicken when it comes to trying new things.). It all started with an ugly old desk that’s been sitting in the back of my living room. It was Jamie’s desk from before he graduated college (so it’s really, really old lol). Perhaps back then it was nice, but after years of heavy use it was starting to look bad. Plus, I didn’t like the stain or the style of the hardware. It just isn’t my taste and every time I look at it, I just cringe. Honestly, there are many day when I’ve thought about carrying it out to the curb, putting a “FREE” sign on it, and hoping someone takes it away. The only thing that kept me from it was that I needed a desk this size to fit my printer. Otherwise, it would have been outta here a long time ago! Then one day the Holy Spirit gave me an idea when I was praying about some “house-y” things. (Yes, I pray about little things like this—-after all, God is a MUCH better decorator than I am!). Anyway, while I was praying, He gave me the idea to paint the ugly desk. After some research (on Pinterest) I found that I could totally transform this ugly old piece of furniture in a few hours for less than $25. It seemed like a great idea! Until the fear set in. You see, here’s my problem (well, one of them). Whenever I get an idea or want to try something new, I almost instantly find myself in a battle with doubt and fear. “What if it doesn’t work?”
“What if it only makes things worse?”
“What if I destroy the whole thing and then I have to live with regret over the whole situation?”
Too often, this battle in my head keeps me from taking a chance and making a change that I really want to make and that I really believe will improve the situation. Unfortunately, this isn’t just true when it comes to redecorating, but to almost every area of my life. Before I actually take a step of faith, follow the Holy Spirit’s leading, take a chance, or even do what I clearly know the Holy Spirit is leading me to do, I battle feelings of doubt. And I’m pretty sure that I’m not alone. In fact, the more I interact with women the more convinced I am that this is one of the #1 tactics that the enemy uses to keep us from experiencing all that God has for us in life. This is especially true when it comes to dealing with issues from our past and finding the healing that our hearts and minds so desperately need.
It’s a common scenario: We decide that we want to overcome an issue in our lives. We take a few steps forward following the principles laid out in God’s Word and then almost instantly, we’re attacked by fear and doubt. Suddenly our minds are filled with thoughts like: “Why are you wasting your time and money going to counseling?”
“What’s wrong with you that you’re making such a big deal out of nothing?” “What if trying to overcome actually stirs up more problems?” “Why if you find out things you didn’t want to know? What if people get angry with you for trying to resolve issues? What if everything actually gets worse and there’s no going back once you’ve opened Pandora’s box?” Before long the questions that flood our minds and fill us with fear cause us to stop dead in our tracks and decide that freedom and healing aren’t worth the potential price we’d pay. Sadly, this tactic of the enemy of our souls keeps too many women bound in the same old lies, addictions and heartaches from which God wants to set them free. Like a bird who chooses to stay in the cage even though the door is open, we choose to remain in bondage because we’re afraid of what will happen if we pursue our healing and freedom. It’s so deeply and truly sad. Why? Because there’s so much more to life than living trapped in the same old knots that have held you bound for years. And yet I know from personal experience that one of the hardest steps to take is that first step that says, “I’m not going to listen to all of the doubts and fears. I’m going to move forward and take a risk so that I can experience a great reward.” Perhaps one of the questions we can ask ourselves as we take those first steps is the question that my brother asked me when I started to back out of our furniture restoration process. After I’d done the research and found that it was very possible to redeem the old desk and make it into something I would really love, he combated my doubts with the question: “What do you have to lose?” He said, “Des, you already hate the desk. You’ve been thinking about giving it away anyway. Why not just take the chance and see what happens?” As I thought about it, I had to admit, he was right. There was nothing to lose expect something that I didn’t want to live with anyway.
This question led me to take the desk outside and begin the process of creating a desk that I’m actually pretty proud to display in my living room. Is it perfect? No, it still has some flaws….but with a fresh coat of white paint, it now looks “distressed”. Most importantly, it now reflects my personality and fits comfortably into the decor that I desire. It also reminds me of the important truth that we can’t let doubts and fears keep us from moving forward in our lives. The truth is that if we spend all of our time worrying about “What will happen if I try?”, we’ll never truly experience all that God has for us in life. This is especially true when it comes to overcoming doubt and fear in our hearts and minds. Because really, what do we have to lose? Our heartache? The lies that are tying us up in knots? Destructive relationships? Aren’t these things that we want out of our lives anyway? The truth is that the fear and doubts that fill our minds trying to keep us from following Jesus are not really warning us of potential danger. Instead, they are trying to stop you and keep you from experiencing the freedom and healing Jesus has for you. The truth is that 2000 years ago when Jesus died on the cross, He opened the door for you to walk in freedom. The question is, “Do you want to be free?” Are you willing to take the risk and take the first steps of learning the Bible’s principles for Finding Healing and applying them to your life? From one person who fights the battle of doubt to another, I can assure you from personal experience that the reward far outweighs the risk and is absolutely worth it. Don’t let fear and doubt keep you from all that God has for you in life. Instead, be brave and say, “I’m going to pursue ALL that God has for me no matter what the cost.” What do you have to lose?
To Begin Learning God's Principles for Finding Healing and Freedom, Read FINDING HEALING.....
