Judges 6:12 When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
Galatians 1:10 Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.
I feel like I’ve been just getting through stuff. Sometimes I feel warrior-like and other times I want to hide away like Gideon. You too? But that’s how it goes right? Sometimes we’re brave and sometimes we want to sit it out.
In Gideon’s story, the angel makes a startling announcement. “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” God was letting Gideon see what He saw in him. Gideon wasn’t buying it and truthfully, I don’t either on most days.
It’s not easy feeling fully confident in our calling. Whether you are a people pleaser or not, at some point we are afraid of other’s opinions. And what makes this fear worse is social media and lots of folks who don’t filter what they say or post. And so we live a little scared. We may not admit to it, but we are.
Recently the verse in Galatians has given me courage and hope. People’s opinions mean nothing stacked up against God’s. I know that solidly in my head, but my heart doesn’t believe it as much. Maybe it’s a matter of trust? Do we trust other’s thoughts and opinions more than God? If we are honest, sometimes we do.
So maybe like me, you need to repent. Because I love God SO much and want desperately to please Him, it crumbles my heart to know I’ve chosen to believe others opinions over God’s firm affirmations and direction. I’m a wreck.
But as I look closely at scripture and see the people God used, I see how they were wrecks too. God used ordinary people who were so incredibly far from perfect to do great things.
For me, it ends up being a choice – every day and often every hour. Do I believe God when He tells me I’m a warrior princess? Am I going to listen and bend to others opinions or am I going to rest solidly in God’s opinion and sovereignty? We forget, I think, that He created everything – not just planet earth, but the whole universe. If He did all that and still holds it all together, can’t He take care of us? If He’s really all that, and He is, can’t He know what is best for us and give us what we need at just the right time? Yes – to all that.
This is easy for me to write and for you to read, but it’s not easy to implement. My heartfelt advice, and the only thing that works for me, is to talk to God honestly. Lay it all at His feet and cry out to Him for courage, wisdom and strength. In faith tell Him you trust Him, you need Him, you will obey and follow Him. It’s helpful to speak it, not just pray silently. Declarations made out loud are powerful. I pray with all my heart that you will do this and find that peace that transcends all understanding.
As I close, let me offer a prayer for you, yes, but for me too. We are walking this together.
Lord – We come to You with all our weaknesses. We have a hard time believing we are warriors. And we can be distracted and swayed by the opinions of others. Remind us of who You are, of Your promises and declarations over us. Take us to Your word where You give us examples of how You use ordinary people for the kingdom. Help us be courageous when we would rather hide. Help us hold up the Shield of Faith to quench the fiery darts of the enemy – those we can see and those we can’t see. May we stand firm in who You say we are, not bending to the opinions of others. Thank you for Your word that sustains us – Your grace and wisdom as we move forward – and Your love that is way more than amazing. Amen