Embracing Confidence in Our Relationship with God
Confronting Inner Critics and Amplifying His Voice
In a world filled with noise and increasing resistance towards Christianity, it's crucial for women to cultivate unwavering confidence in their relationship with God. As followers of Jesus, we are called to live in and with purpose, and when we actively listen to God's voice, we become equipped to fulfill those callings. However, the journey is not always easy. Internal doubts and external pressures can attempt to extinguish our faith and derail God's plan for our lives. Can we take a second to explore the importance of confidently confronting our inner critic and the voice of the enemy? Let’s ensure that we remain steadfast in our faith and devoted to fulfilling God's purpose for us - like a punch to those negative voices 🤜.
Embracing Our Calling
God has uniquely designed each of us with specific talents, passions, and purposes. As women, we must recognize that we are called to be part of God's greater plan. Embracing our calling starts with understanding that our identity is rooted in Christ, and His voice is the ultimate guide to discovering our purpose. By seeking Him in prayer, studying His Word, and as He renews our hearts, we can confidently step into the roles He has prepared for us.
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Ezekiel 36:25-27
Confronting Inner Critics
Every day it seems, we often face self-doubt and negative self-talk that attempts to undermine our confidence. These voices, wether it’s your own self-doubt or demonic chatter, can discourage us from pursuing our calling and hinder our spiritual growth. However, we must remember that our worth and abilities come from God, not from the opinions of others or our own insecurities. Take a moment now, grab your favorite note-taking app, and jot down some verses that encourage you and bring you confidence. Let’s use these verses as armor, and not only bolster ourselves, but empower us to step out boldly with whatever it is that God’s wanting us to do.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Another great one I love:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:9
The Voice of the Enemy
Satan, the ultimate adversary, seeks to steal, kill, and destroy our faith and purpose. One thing a good friend once said to me was that the devil wants to hit you with three D’s:
Distract you.
Discourage you.
Derail you.
He strategically plants doubts, temptations, and distractions in our minds to weaken our resolve. Recognizing the voice of the enemy is crucial in confidently combating his influence. By immersing ourselves in the Word of God and staying connected to Him through prayer and worship, we develop spiritual discernment to distinguish His voice from the enemy's lies.
Remember - a part of the curse we received in the garden of Eden specifically put women at war with the devil. I think of this often as women are continually under attack, because we are such a powerful weapon against darkness!
“And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”
Genesis 3:15
With God's truth firmly in our hearts, we can boldly resist the devil and extinguish his attempts to derail our journey of faith.
Building a Strong Foundation
To confidently confront the challenges that come our way, we must build a strong foundation rooted in our relationship with God. This foundation is nurtured through consistent prayer, studying Scripture, participating in fellowship with other believers, and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Community is KEY here. We are often led to be alone and isolated, especially in this pos-pandemic world. It’s too easy to fall when we’re alone and it’s too easy for us to believe the lies of the enemy when we’re not in community. Be sure to edify your friends and be sure to reach out to them when you need help too! Go to church, go to a bible study, find someone to talk to online! Just get into relationship with solid, healthy Christians.
Life For Your Soul has a GREAT podcast episode on friendship that you can listen to here: Episode 8.
Sharing Our Light
Confidence in our relationship with God enables us to be a beacon of hope and love to others in a world that often opposes Christian values. By boldly living out our faith, we inspire those around us and contribute to God's kingdom on Earth. Our confidence in God's calling for our lives empowers us to be effective witnesses, demonstrating the transformative power of His love and grace. Think about the accounts that you follow online - how many times are you lifted up or encouraged when you see someone sharing a Reel or a post that is about Jesus? It’s a blessing to be able to help our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
As women of faith, our confidence lies not in our own abilities or the approval of others, but in our unwavering relationship with God. In a world that may be hostile or skeptical towards Christianity, it is vital that we confront our inner critics and resist the voice of the enemy. By anchoring ourselves in God's truth, we can confidently pursue His calling, knowing that He equips and empowers us to fulfill His purposes. Let us embrace the confidence that comes from our relationship with God and shine brightly, illuminating the world with His love and truth.
Much love y’all,
🤟🏼 VA