Doubt – To be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe; To distrust.
Things are going along great until he creeps into my head.
His name is Doubt and I really hate him. Ya, I hate him, but for some reason I listen to him…
He can turn my best moments upside down in an instant. One minute, I’m going along, feeling confident about myself and the relationships I’m blessed to have, and then all of the sudden, bam! He shows up.
Nothing is sacred or off limits. He can strike anywhere, any time. He’s a real JERK!
The other day, after spending a nice afternoon with a friend, over lunch we’d shared some pretty funny stories. I felt happy as we parted ways. I walked to my car thinking how wonderful it is to have her in my life. But barely before leaving the parking lot, that familiar menacing voice began tugging at my ear. “Your friend seemed preoccupied today… Did you see that look flash across her face when you said that? You probably offended her but she was too nice to tell you? Well, I’ll tell you… You really need to watch what you say!”
Or like the time I had this really important thing I had to do at work. People were counting on me to deliver. I felt confident and knew exactly what I needed to do…that is until he showed up. “Did you make the right decision? You know, they trust your judgment? Who do you think you are to be helping them? Do you realize how many people there are who are much more qualified than you?”
No place is safe from this merciless intruder. Even at home with my man and our kids, on an ordinary day he can find his way into my thoughts…”Your husband is working late again? Maybe he doesn’t want to come home because you’re such a grind. You know, your attitude sucks? Didn’t your daughter just tell you how annoying you are? He probably feels the same way!”
Nagging negative doubts are like dirty smudges on the mirror when you’re just trying to see your own face.
Doubt lies to us about our potential. If we give doubt the control seat of our minds, he’ll paralyze us from moving forward, instead aimlessly tossing us in all directions. Doubt want’s us to believe our glass will forever be half-empty… at best! And we’d better be grateful for that much!!!
I’m in my 50’s and only now beginning to recognize the voice of doubtand the havoc I’ve allowed him to play in my life. I’m learning I can keephim in his proper place. When I pray and ask for discernment, I can see a littler clearer. I’ve even learned that I don’t have to be afraid to look at doubt for what it is.
When a doubt is actually caution, I can embrace its truth. But I won’t really know who’s speaking without taking the time to quiet myself and all the thoughts swirling in my head.
Praying helps me see when doubt is lying to me and trying to stymie my God given potential. And when I can actually see what doubt is doing, I get all fired up. It makes wanna punch him right in the face. I might be a granny, but I’m practicing some pretty serious ninja skills in tearing apart the lies of doubt as quickly as I can.
I’m determined to keep doubt from taking the reins in my life.
It’s in my power, when the negative whisper hits, to flip it upside down and listen to the real TRUTH! I can turn that half-empty doubt into a glass more-than-half full!
It’s only when my cup overflows that I can truly offer a cool drink to another!
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. James 1:6
