Read
Exodus 4:1,10, 13, "What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you?' ... ‘I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.' ... ‘Please send someone else.'"
Psalm 139:13-14, "For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
There are some great documentaries out about people who overcame obstacles and persevered to reach the pinnacle of success. In each story, they faced failures, slammed doors, and people saying, "Give up!" But just as loud as their doubters' voices, they often had to battle the most resounding voice of all - the inner voice of self-doubt. Yet something inside motivated them to quiet the sound and keep pressing on.
Moses overcame enormous self-doubt before submitting to God's calling for his life. He went from being a somebody in Egypt to a nobody in the desert, never considering that He was somebody God could use in the future. He was so focused on his perceived shortcomings and other people's opinions, that he almost missed God's BIG appointment - to lead His people out of 430 years of slavery to the brink of the Promised Land.
How many of us do the same thing? We allow the combination of other people's opinions and our internal self-doubt to convince us that God can't use us. Meanwhile, we ignore the very words of our Creator who calls us "fearfully and wonderfully made." Who are we to doubt the purpose of His design? Right now, what is God calling you to do? Don't miss His BIG appointment for your life. Step out with the same confidence He has in you. Follow His lead, overcome, and, who knows, you just might star in a documentary someday!
Is there an internal dialogue of self-doubt that's keeping you from saying, "Yes" to God? Flip the script. Make a list of the "self-doubt" excuses that keep echoing in your mind. In a second column, list the antithesis of each excuse. Then, at the bottom of the page, write out Psalm 139:13-14 (see above). After all, you don't want to miss your next BIG appointment!
Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your lovingkindness. Help me to recognize the purposes You have for my life. Quiet the voice of self-doubt so that I can hear Your voice instead. Give me confidence today to believe that I am a "somebody" that's useful to You! In Jesus' name, Amen.