I bet you believe the Lord can lead you. But do you ever doubt your ability to hear God?
Those familiar with the Bible know faith pleases God. Yet as a person of faith, I can still be filled with doubt. When doubt paralyzes me the following three actions release my faith.
1. Remember God’s promises.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NASB).
To trust[1] in the Lord means to put our confidence in Him; to be secure in the Lord. We stumble when we rely upon ourselves instead of on God. For example, when I trust in:
- My ability to hear God instead of His ability to lead me.
- My understanding instead of His wisdom.
- How I feel instead of His character.
- My ability to perceive a clear answer instead of His promise to direct my steps.
On whom or what is your confidence based?
2. Affirm your faith, not your fears.
Do you know the difference between begging/doubting prayers and prayers of faith? When I focus on God instead of my doubts, my prayers show it. Thank You, Father, for guiding my steps.
The word “acknowledge” in “In all your ways acknowledge Him…” means to know, learn to know, to perceive and see.[2] Instead of focusing on finding the right path, Proverbs 3:5-6 tells me to focus on bringing God into every area of my life. Seeking to know and perceive God brings us peace as we trust Him to direct our steps.
Instead of focusing on finding the right path, Proverbs 3:5-6 tells me to focus on bringing God into every area of my life. #HearingGod, #direction Click To TweetAm I rehearsing my doubts or standing on God’s promises?
3. Get moving
I’ve found that when I ask God for guidance and step out, the next step presents itself. Doors begin to open and close. Sometimes I sense a nudge to push forward or to pause. With or without the nudge, I choose to trust God’s promise and timing and practice His presence. He directs me whether I’m aware of His leading or not.
In the movie The Italian Job, Lyle, a. k. a. “Napster,” used the city’s traffic lights to route the truck carrying the gold where he wanted it to go. The driver didn’t know the red and green lights were changing just for him. He just kept moving.
When we trust God, He directs our steps for our good and His glory (Ps. 23:3). We don’t have to feel His leading to trust it. Red and green lights nudge us along the right way as we seek Him. When we’re trusting in the Lord, we appreciate life’s red lights as part of His plan.
When I forget to practice my faith, doubt and fears hold me hostage. Standing on God’s promises frees me to pursue my dreams.
For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened” (Matt. 7:8 NLT).
What helps you counter doubts? Click here to comment.
Blessings,
Photo by Alireza Attari
Sometimes I link with these great sites:
#InspireMeMonday, #InstaEncouraements, #TellHisStory and here #Recharge Wednesday, #Grace&Truth,
We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This doesn’t add any cost to the purchase.
I absolutely love this! He is faithful and we so often slip into doubt and unbelief without even realizing it.
Ann, doubt and unbelief seems to be the default on my thinking!
You have no idea how much I needed to be reminded of this!
So timely! God’s timing!! Thank you.
Praise the Lord! Thanks, Tess.
Lovely timely words of wisdom. It is hard to get wrapped up in “am I hearing him right?” – but I love that is isn’t about my abilities. He can actually lead me despite myself:).
“He can actually lead me despite myself:).” Hallelujah!
What a wonderful message filled with hope and inspiration! Thank you Debbie.
Thank you, Melissa!
Hi Debbie,
This line struck me: “We don’t have to feel His leading to trust it.” Amen! Trusting God while relying on our feelings does not go together. Either we trust him or we don’t. In my own life, I feel God’s leading and I trust it, which gets me moving, however, as life unfolds, I sometimes wonder if I am on the right path. In those moments, the best thing to do as you say is to bring God into every area of my life.
P.S. When I click the button above to comment, it takes me to a page that can’t be found.
“Trusting God while relying on our feelings does not go together.” So true!! Thanks for alerting me about the comment button.
I love the wisdom you provide. Stepping out in faith isn’t easy. But it’s the life of freedom.
Thank you, Nancy. Faith isn’t my natural response.
Oh, how many times have I prayed through tears, “I don’t understand Lord, but I trust You. Help me to continue walking in step with You so you can show me the way You would have me go.” Such an encouraging post Ms. Debbie. Thank you ma’am.
Thank you, J.D. He is faithful!
New to your page, thanks to J.D. Already a fan. Thank you for this.
Thank you, Rosemarie. Welcome!
Wow, Debbie! You just flipped the narrative! It’s not about my ablility to hear, it’s His ability to lead!
Thank you for the insight.
Jerralea, yes, I think God wants us to be God-focused, not me focused. Thanks for reading!
What clarity this brings: “Instead of focusing on finding the right path, Proverbs 3:5-6 tells me to focus on bringing God into every area of my life.” We spend time looking at the path, wanting God to point us which way to go, when He wants us to focus on Him.
What a difference it makes to enjoy Him instead of fret over the right way! Thanks, Barbara.
Trusting His character rather than how I feel. Love this! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you, Joni!
Debbie, I like to focus on the character of God to dispel doubts. Meditating on His names steadies my wavering heart. Thank you for this post.
Annie, meditation on God’s names is a powerful exercise for our faith.