The Bible talks about bearing good fruit and how that is God's purpose for our lives. For example, in John 15:5 (AMP), Jesus says, "I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." And Psalm 1:3 says that the person who follows God's ways is "like a tree firmly planted [and fed] by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season; its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers [and comes to maturity]."
"I'm so frustrated! That just aggravates me!" How often have you said or thought those words? I know I've felt this way many times. But I've learned that we can come to a point in our lives where we don't experience being aggravated and frustrated every day. In fact, aggravated and frustrated is not the condition God wants us to live in. Let me show you what I mean.
Ever found yourself swirling in a sea of self-doubt? After teaching for more than 40 years, I can safely say that countless women struggle with feelings of worthlessness and a lack of confidence. This was certainly true for me. But over time, God showed me how to put my confidence in Him. Let's examine together some ways you can begin to grow in your confidence. I believe that as you seek the Lord and apply these seven keys to your life, you too will begin experiencing the boldness and confidence God put inside you.
Romans 8:37 (NIV) says, "…In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." But do we really know what it means to be more than a conqueror? I know it took many years for me to learn what it means and how to live the victorious life Jesus died to give us as believers. I remember many years when I went to church faithfully every week, yet my private life was pathetic. It was so frustrating because I really loved God and was a born-again believer, but I wasn't experiencing victory over the problems in my life so that I could really live for God and help people.
One of the greatest lessons I've learned is that you can't be both selfish and happy. I know this is true through my own personal experience, but more importantly, the Bible has some things to say about the attitude we should have about "self." For example, love is not selfish. In the Amplified Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:5 (AMPC) says, …Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking.... In 1 Corinthians 15:31, the apostle Paul said, …I die daily [I face death every day and die to self] (AMPC), which basically means he was not self-seeking but instead focused on doing what God called him to do with his life.
When I was about 45 years old, God gave me an undeniable urge to confront my father, who had sexually abused me throughout my childhood. I was terrified to experience his anger again, and I did. But I also accomplished what God was leading me to do. And it helped me break free. Here's what I want to help you understand: When God gives you direction for your life, don't run from it, embrace it...no matter how scary or difficult it may seem. Let God lead you step by step, believing He loves you and that He's acting on your behalf. (See John 3:16-17 and Romans 8:28)
One of the greatest revelations of my life is: I can choose my thoughts and think things on purpose. In other words, I don't have to just think about whatever falls into my mind. This was a life-changing revelation for me because as Proverbs 23:7 says, "As he [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he." I like to say it like this: Where the mind goes, the man follows. Now God is concerned about the hidden man of the heart, which is our inner life. Our inner life is what we think about. And like the scripture above says, the way we think determines how we live and who we are. That's why we need to think about what we're thinking about.
No matter how long you may live, you'll never stop learning. Every minute of every day brings new opportunities to learn something we've never known before. And as long as we're open to receive, God will continue to teach us every day. I'm still learning, and I know I always will be. What God teaches me every day about love continues to change my life. I've come to the place where I can honestly say, "Lord, eliminate everything in my life that's holding me back. Please take away anything that's keeping me from walking in love and finding true fulfillment in my life."
God can restore whatever you've lost. And He wants to bring forth something beautiful. This world is hard. It's filled with people full of hurt and pain. Five minutes watching the news or scrolling through social media and you'll quickly be reminded of the brokenness of humanity and our deep need for a Savior. Many are dealing with the emotional pain of abuse or past hurts—pain that prevents us from enjoying the good life God has planned for us.
Years ago, I found myself in an interesting place. I was a Christian who was living for God and I even had my own ministry, but I wasn't really enjoying my life. As I sought God about it, He began showing me that joy is a major part of His plan for us. He doesn't just want us to be happy "when"—when Friday gets here...when it's time for a vacation...when people do what we want. God wants us to live with His joy—it's part of His will for our daily lives!
