In Over Your Head - Encouragement for Today - December 11, 2017

December 11, 2017 In Over Your Head LYNN COWELL

“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” Psalm 51:6 (ESV)

I was in way over my head … and I knew it.

Trying to navigate the unfamiliar waters of the business world, I was seeking to land my first professional job.

Having moved five hours from my small-town home, I was in desperate need of a job. If I tanked, what would I do? Afraid failure was just around the corner, I applied for a position that seemed a bit above my knowledge level. But once the job was mine, my mind began spinning.

What have I done? Am I really as competent as I said? What about all the jargon I don’t know? Why oh why did I interview for this position? Am I even capable of this? What was I thinking? I don’t even have a college degree! I should have just stuck with what I am comfortable doing because now I’m really in trouble!

My mind pushed me closer and closer to the cliff of failure. I couldn’t take the doubt inside of me. Skepticism stole my peace by day, and my sleep by night.

I decided I couldn’t sit around and wait for failure to come. On the first day of my new job, I located the Human Resources department, found the gal who hired me and … talked myself right out of the job. Yes, I did!

My employer was kind enough to find another position that didn’t require me to dress a certain way or sit at a high-profile desk. My new position (in the warehouse) was out of sight — and probably out of my employer's mind.

How’s that for lacking confidence? The door of opportunity opened, but my insecurity had talked me right into walking out that door. In the secret places of my heart, I’d listened to the whispers of fear and allowed it to make itself at home.

We all have times when we lack the confidence we need, just when we need it. Yet even when we’re shaking, we can rely on a wisdom — God’s wisdom — that we have cultivated before a confidence-challenge presents itself.

Psalm 51:6 says, “Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.”

Every day, we have a choice: What will we allow to reside in our hearts? What will we allow to take root?

God desires we choose to experience His truth, firmness and faithfulness — the picture of confidence. He wants us to experience this stabilizing wisdom in our innermost being, in the hidden place, the deepest part of our hearts. He wants His confidence to reside in that place no one else sees. There He will make wisdom known to us; there He can show us our next move.

I needed this deep kind of wisdom when I felt like I was in over my head, and I need it each day of my life.

I need to pour into my heart the wisdom that comes from the depths of God’s heart to the deepest part of mine. When I’m upset, unglued or uncertain, I need a wisdom only God can provide. When my world is shaken by rocky relationships, worrisome world events or failing finances, I need a confident wisdom that knows, on Christ my solid rock, all will be well.

We can choose what fills our hearts and where we allow our minds to go.  

Should I choose to fill my mind with truth and my heart with God’s wisdom, insecurity and fear will be pushed out. There simply will not be enough space! 1 John 4:18b tells us, “… perfect love casts out fear.” (ESV) His presence and peace will come into my situation and comfort me.

You and I can make that choice. When our feelings try to force us forward, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can stop. We might not be strong enough to stop the swirling in our own strength, but we can stop our reactions with wisdom from God’s Word and the Spirit’s power. We can always find time for this single-word prayer: Help.

Today, let’s practice our single word prayer.

Dear Lord, help. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Psalm 46:5, “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day.” (NIV)

Jeremiah 17:7, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:
Make Your Move: Finding Unshakable Confidence Despite Your Fears and Failures, Lynn Cowell’s newest book, empowers women with a confidence that can withstand even shaky situations! Get your copy of this six-session Bible study (DVD also available), here.

As we are too often led astray by what the world has to offer, the same was true for God’s people. And, like the Israelites, we’re often left with the question: When will our final rescue come? Join us for the study of 1 and 2 Kings: A Story of God’s Grace for a Rebellious People. The study starts January 1 on the First 5 app! Order your Experience Guide today.

CONNECT:
To celebrate the release of Lynn’s newest book, Make Your Move: Finding Unshakable Confidence Despite Your Fears and Failures, she is giving away a copy on her blog today, plus a FREE download for building your confidence.

REFLECT AND RESPOND:
Is there a decision in your life you need to make? End your time today by boldly asking God to give you the wisdom to respond to the situations in your life confidently. Trust that not only will He provide the wisdom you need, but also the peace to go with it.

© 2017 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.