Originally posted 2017-08-01 21:05:44.
Hi!
Well! It’s countdown Day-22. This journey is peeling back more layers each day. “Confidence,” and “Dependable,” are the words on my mind today. They come from two different trains of thought. 1) Shaking off insults; and, 2) Hoping my sons remember me, if the Lord allows me to live into my 90’s.
I guess you are saying, “What? This woman is ridiculous.” But, this is a trek to get in touch with me through exposing layers of hindrances. So, hang with me; as I allow God to help me, “Bloom! Expand! Discover! and Experience!”
Actually, if the truth be told; you deal with crazy thoughts at times yourself. Now don’t you? So allow God to help you too! Okay? Okay!
Let’s do this!
Yesterday morning; I asked my six-year-old grandson if I am fat. He said, “NO Gaga!!!!!” He had a tone as if he was saying, “Why would you think such a thing?” I told him that somebody called me fat the day before. He looked at me and said, “Gaga, you are not fat.” Children say what they think; so I took my grandson’s remarks as confirmation; I AM NOT FAT!!!
It is true; I have gained 30 pounds since I last saw the person who said to me, “Girl you have gotten back fat like you used to be.” His remarks touched on how I have felt about myself lately. Even though, I’m still 40 pounds lighter than I was before I had the brain aneurysm; lately, I’ve felt a bit self-conscious about my weight gain. But, out of the mouth of babes. My grandson unwittingly snapped me back. Yes!!!!!
Sometimes, we have to encourage ourselves.
I say to me, “Rochelle, think about it. The last time you saw that person, he jokingly called you, “too tall.” Now, he’s calling you, “fat.” Just because he tells insult laced jokes; don’t entertain ill-feelings toward him. That’s just his way. …But, you need to STOP internalizing words from people who say negative things about you. And, by all means, don’t believe them. Don’t let other people’s snide remarks govern how you feel about yourself. Love YOU in whatever state YOU are in; physically, financially, emotionally and spiritually.” Can you relate?
That brings me to the first thought for today. “Confidence.”
If you’ve been confident, for years, in how you look; how could one person’s words drudge up old self-conscience feelings? Maybe, those thoughts were never gone. Perhaps, they were lying dormant; just waiting on the right time to pop up. Well, wherever they came from; it is time to totally cast down ill-feelings about yourself; in the name of Jesus!
It’s time to replace self-doubt with irreplaceable self-confidence. It’s time to know who you are, naturally and spiritually. It’s time to live confidently in every area of your life. But how?
Maybe those old feelings are really a deflection to stop your path to good success. Think of what Paul said to the church of Philippi. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1:6 KJV)
Confident in the Greek language means:
- Persuade; to persuade, i.e. to induce one by words to believe; to make friends of, to win one’s favour, gain one’s good will, or to seek to win one, strive to please one; to tranquillize; to persuade unto i.e. move or induce one to persuasion to do something; be persuaded; to be persuaded, to suffer one’s self to be persuaded; to be induced to believe: to have faith: in a thing; to believe; to be persuaded of a thing concerning a person; to listen to, obey, yield to, comply with: to trust, have confidence, be confident.
So when you are confident in what God promised; be persuaded; believe; and yield to what God promised in His Holy Word. He started the good work in you. God’s going to carry out and complete that good work in you. Believe it; because, “THERE IS NO ROOM FOR DOUBT.”
It’s time for confidence in God answering prayers!
Every since my sons were boys; I’ve prayed for them to have good success. They’ve had bumps in the road. They’ve had people judge and talk about them. And, yes, they are far from perfect. But, they are true men; who have endured some of life’s major traumas. They both have good hearts, and second to none resilience. I believe in my heart; God’s gonna bless my sons in the years to come.
I believe I’m going to see my sons saved, sanctified, filled with the Holy Ghost; and walking in their God-ordained purpose. They SHALL have good success. Praise God!!
My friends, what about you?
What areas of your life does your confidence need a boost? Is it your belief in God? Is it in your abilities? Is it in believing your dreams will manifest? Is it in obtaining your undergrad or graduate degrees? Is it in purchasing those properties? Is it in having the right relationships? Is it discovering your purpose; and walking in it? Is it in making the right choices? Is it in succeeding in your career, ministry, or life aspirations? Is it in understanding the Word of God? The question is: “How confident are you?”
Let’s take a stab at the second thought: “Dependable.”
The other morning, as I ministered to the residents in the convalescent home; the devil attacked my mind. “Your daughter is dead and gone. Will your sons leave you in a home when you grow old? Will they come and see about you?” I silently rebuked those negative, fear driven thoughts; and kept ministering.
But, once I settled in at home; I wondered why those fearful thoughts came on my mind. Now don’t get me wrong; I believe both my sons love me immensely. I just don’t want to lean on them. I want them to enjoy their lives; without having me as a burden. That’s why I don’t share a lot of my struggles with them. At 56; I’m self-sufficient. AND, my wonderful sons are totally dependable.
Yet fear exists.
Fear is what drives the thought, “Dependable.” We all have different areas where we depend on people. Do you depend on anyone to come through for you in life and ministry? I depend on my sons to come when I occasionally call for help. I depend on my sweet cousin/niece Nikki to go with me to major doctor’s appointments.
Even with help from loved ones; it is still time to peel back more layers of fear. If you doubt anybody; never doubt God. Only depend one hundred percent on God. Hold on to; “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19 KJV)
On the flip side; there are questions I must ask myself…
“Does anyone have confidence in me? Am I dependable?” The answer is a resounding, “YES!” I know the Lord has confidence in; and can depend on me. I know my sons; Justin and Melvin; my grandson; Jordan; and son-in-law; James can depend on me. My nieces, nephews; cousins; Belinda, Nikki; BFF, Joi Boyd; other brother, Brian, my Pastor, First Lady, and the rest of my loved ones can depend on me. I pray they have confidence in my dependability.
My friends, can you see how God’s personal promises are shining through in your life? Do you see layers being peeled? Who do you depend on? Are you dependable?
God’s fulfilling His promises listed throughout His Holy Word, each day. I’m so looking forward to countdown Day-21. Praise God!
Thank you for joining me today! We’ll talk soon.
Blessing!
Rochelle
