Sometimes the enemy whispers, “You’re not good enough. You will fail,” and the thing he uses to convince us he’s right is fear.
When we feel stuck, we must ask ourselves two questions. The first is whether God called us to the task we’re trying to succeed at. If we believe God has called us to this path, we must then ask why we don’t believe God is capable of guiding us through it.
One of my favorite movies stars Paul Newman and Robert Redford as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. They’re outlaws, so I don’t want you to use them as role models, but there are a lot of character lessons in that film.
One tight spot the lovable thieves find themselves in is hiding between a rock and a rather high cliff while being surrounded by gunmen. That’s a bad day. Their only way to escape is to jump off the cliff into the river below, but Sundance just won’t do it. He’d rather stay and fight to the death (a fight he’d surely lose). It turns out Sundance can’t swim. He’s more afraid of the water than the bullets. Sometimes our fears stop us from thinking we can succeed.
Sometimes we’d rather face certain failure rather than of uncertain success, but God has made a promise to those he’s called:
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 NIV)
The term “walking with God” implies that we’re actually moving. Sundance would have accomplished nothing by staying behind the rock. Sometimes God only gives us one direction to go because He wants us to learn we can trust Him.
He wants us to know He’s perfectly capable of teaching us to swim if there’s a river he needs us to cross.
When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.
(Isaiah 43:2 NLT)
Don’t be paralyzed by a fear of the unknown or because you think someone else can swim better than you. God has mapped out a path for you and your specific talents. That path is important to Him because it is a path that refines us. The path is important to Him, so it should be important to us–even when the path is impossible without Him.
Instead of Thinking: “I can’t succeed.”
Think: “God has created me with a purpose.”
Engage: Have you ever felt like you weren’t good enough, that you’d be better off just staying put? How did you fight that feeling?
When I Think I Can't Succeed | What To Do When You Feel Stuck | #Overcomer #Victory #ChristianLiving | Click To Tweet
“The term “walking with God” implies that we’re actually moving.“ So often we want things to change and we sit and wait for it to happen. Yet, we need to listen to God’s call, take the first step and get moving and God will use it for his purposes.
Amen to this. The enemy tries to tell me this all the time, but the more I read God’s Word, the more His words drown out the enemy’s. Thank you, Joshua!
I love this: “The term ‘walking with God’ implies that we’re actually moving. . . Sometimes God only gives us one direction to go because He wants us to learn we can trust Him. He wants us to know He’s perfectly capable of teaching us to swim if there’s a river he needs us to cross.” Good advice! Practical and solid. Let’s keep actually moving in our walk with God!
Amen! Thank you, Melinda. I’m so grateful you were encouraged by this post. May we all learn to move with God rather than just waiting for Him.
When the going gets tough, the tough get on their knees. I have to look up and trust God even when it all feels like it is crashing in. God is a good God, even if my circumstances are difficult. Thanks for reminding us to focus on the truth.
Joshua, this is SO TRUE. I faced this feeling last weekend as I prepared to speak at a women’s event. It didn’t manifest as fear at first (but I think that was the underlying thing), but as fatigue and feelings of being overwhelmed.
But, the whole way there I kept praising God for the open door of opportunity, believing He called and would provide everything I needed to accomplish it.
And, He did!
My weakness became His strength and the women were blessed by the message He gave me to share.
Amazing post! Thank you!
You’re welcome. Thank you for visiting the site, Julia.
Joshua,
My takeaways are your two important questions and this quote, “The term “walking with God” implies that we’re actually moving.”
Good stuff! Always enjoy what you share.
Thanks so much, Beckie. We cannot cross the Red Sea if we’re not moving with God.
This hit me pretty hard. For me, the hardest thing is to figure out if it’s what God wants me to do or not. How can I tell what is God trying to prevent me from making mistakes and what is the enemy trying to stop what God wants?
Many of us struggle with that, Jessie. Our goal should be to spend enough time with God, that his voice becomes recognizable to us. But as we do that, There are two questions we can ask ourselves to help identify who’s voice it is. The first is who will be glorified through the action? That always causes things that will glorify His Name and not our own. The second question is whether we are capable of fulfilling the task on our own. The enemy gives us asks that we can accomplish on our own as distractions, but God asks us to do things that are impossible without Him.
So important. Thank you! Being “stuck” is a lie from the father of lies.
That’s exactly right, Jessica. The enemy must resort to lies because he has no real power over us.
Thanks Joshua Resting in Is. 41:22 gives much hope. Walking with God when standing or sitting still is a picture of God confidence and encouragement.
That’s so true, Marilyn. Thank you.
I wrestle with fear sometimes; the passages you shared from Isaiah are beautiful. I’m committing the 43:2 one to memory to go over when I can’t sleep.
Isaiah 43:2 is one of my favorites, Candice. It’s so powerful to remember that God is directing our path and He has foreseen the struggles we’ll face along that path
How is it that God sends just the right person, with just the right message, at just the right time in my life? Thank you so much for this message Pastor Joshua. I’m preparing for an event at the end of the month that I feel I am wholly unqualified and unprepared for. In fact, I feel so far outclassed by the other participants, I have seriously considered begging off. Doing so would not only be in poor taste, it would be an insult to the gracious hosts who invited me in the first place. Your post reminded me that “With God, I am enough for every task He brings my way.” God’s blessing for this gentle, yet inspiring, reminder my friend.
It’s amazing how God works, my friend. The truth is, I wrote the first draft of this post 5 years ago and it’s been sitting in draft mode, but I felt led to rewrite it and put it up this week. I have no doubt God has called you to this upcoming task, and He will use you to glorify His name. You have my prayers and my support.
A very encouraging post. Thank you.
You’re welcome, Robin. I pray the Lord encourages you today.
Joshua, I love the verses that you chose for this post. Thank you for the reminder that when we walk through situations that God has called us to that He will be with us and give us strength for the journey.
I think it’s so important to remember that God has already mapped out the journey. Knowing that, we can trust the path He puts us on. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here, Shawnee.
Those are two good questions to ask, Joshua. And for me, it will certainly redirect my focus and change my perspective. I like to say, when we can’t, God can, then He receives all the glory!
Amen, Karen. Thank you. It’s amazing how much I try to do on my own when I have no strength or air in my lungs without Him.
This is great to remember, Joshua: “Don’t be paralyzed by a fear of the unknown or because you think someone else can swim better than you. God has mapped out a path for you and your specific talents.” Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Julie. I’m glad you found these words helpful.
Let me count the ways. Thinking God had given up on me because I was an angry mom. Hated my husband and prayed he would die. etc. etc. And then after God did deliver me and heal our marriage, would he really want to use a former child abuser in writing? And then as a speaker? And etc. etc. So thank you Joshua, for the essential reminder because the challenges really never stop.
Kathy, Thank you for your transparency. God moves when we take off our masks and let Him walk us through our struggles. You’re right. The challenges never end on this side of eternity, but God is faithful and has a path designed to redeem those challenges. His strength is revealed in our weakness, His victory in our inability to succeed on our own. May the Lord encourage you today.
Very good post Josh, I appreciate it!
You’re very welcome, Jacob. I appreciate your kind words.
Isaiah 43:2 is so steering me in the face. It feels good to get unstuck and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Everything is a process yet you have to go through some steps to get out of it. So interesting also is, my Indian name is Deep Water. A great scripture to begin my day. Thank you
Deep water. That is so cool, Priscilla. We’re all on that journey toward deeper trust in God. You’re right. It’s a process
Changing the way we think, is always a good response.
We need reminders and people around us to encourage us.
That’s exactly right, Dawn. We need others to push us in the right direction and push us toward God when our task seems impossible.
I really needed this today Joshua. Thank you.
I’m so glad God used this post to encourage you, Carol. I almost didn’t post it, but God directs our path. I pray God will strengthen you today.