God loves boldness, and He wants us to be confident of His love for us. He wants us to know without a doubt that we are made right with Him through the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross—especially on those days when we feel unworthy of His love.
To live boldly means we’re willing to step out in faith to try new things and pursue our God-given dreams and passions without letting the fear of doubt overshadow our faith.
Doubt is a fear that can bring a lot of confusion: “Did I make the right decision? I don’t know. Maybe I did. Well, maybe I didn’t.” We can go back and forth like that in our heads forever. But I’ve found that when I’m confused, it’s better to stop, turn off my brain and just look at what’s in my heart—not for what I think I should do, but what I believe I should do.
Sometimes it becomes very clear what God wants us to do; other times it’s less obvious. But before you jump ahead, give God a chance to speak to your heart.
James 1:5-6 (AMP) says, “If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind.”
Breaking News. Spirit-Filled Stories. Subscribe to Charisma on YouTube now!
I hope that you noticed it says, “If any of you” need wisdom. God isn’t looking for perfect people; they don’t exist. So, no matter where you are, God wants to help you! Isn’t that good news?
God will never leave you or forsake you, and He will always remain faithful to His Word. All you have to do is ask and receive, dismissing the doubts that set themselves up against His Word. If you can do that, there’s no telling what God will make happen in your life!
Romans 4 gives a wonderful account of the story of Abraham, one of the great heroes of faith. Verses 18-19 say:
In hope against hope Abraham believed that he would become a father of many nations, as he had been promised [by God]: “So [numberless] shall your descendants be.” Without becoming weak in faith he considered his own body, now as good as dead [for producing children] since he was about a hundred years old, and [he considered] the deadness of Sarah’s womb.
Abraham considered the facts. But he still believed God was greater. Verse 20 says, “But he did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God.”
Instead of relying only on what we see around us, you and I can choose to believe God’s Word. And we can open our mouths to speak words of thanks, like this:
“God, I remember the good things You’ve done for me and how You’ve been faithful to those who’ve trusted in You through the ages. I’m giving You praise today because I know You’ll always be faithful.”
Like Abraham, we all have times of waiting that God uses to test and stretch our faith. But He promises to work all things out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).
Honestly, if we can keep a good attitude throughout the process, our wait time might be shorter than it would be if we decided we’d rather murmur and complain. God wants to use the challenges we experience to draw us closer to Him so that when our prayer is finally answered, and our day of breakthrough comes, we’ll be stronger in our faith and able to withstand any opposition that comes against us.
Hebrews 10:36 says, “For you have need of patient endurance [to bear up under difficult circumstances without compromising], so that when you have carried out the will of God, you may receive and enjoy to the full what is promised.”
It takes boldness to believe God’s promises are for you and not just for everyone else. It takes boldness to cling to His promises when the world around you says, “It will never happen!” And it takes boldness to step out in faith and try something new. But be encouraged. God isn’t concerned about you making mistakes. He knows you’re not perfect, and He wants to give you His wisdom and strength to do everything He’s put in your heart.
Stop doubting, step out in faith and believe God can do something amazing in you and through you. He wants to see boldness in you!
Join Charisma Magazine Online to follow everything the Holy Spirit is doing around the world!
For more on this topic, order Joyce’s four-part teaching resource “Overcoming Fear With Faith.” You can also contact us to receive our free magazine, “Enjoying Everyday Life,” by calling 800-727-9673 or visiting www.joycemeyer.org.
Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Ministries, Inc. She has authored more than 140 books, including “Battlefield of the Mind” and “Overcoming Every Problem” (FaithWords). She hosts the “Enjoying Everyday Life” radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of stations worldwide. For more information, visit www.joycemeyer.org.
Please note: The views and opinions expressed throughout this publication and/or website are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Joyce Meyer Ministries.
