There comes a time in every person's story when they are facing an impending change, altercation, or decision. In these moments, one of two things tends to happen: (1) there is an overwhelming fear of inadequacy, or (2) they are filled with a robust sense of pride in their ability. Being a Christian does not exclude us from feeling these two opposing mindsets but provides us the opportunity to take it captive. It is not an if but a when that a sense of fear, bravado, or insufficiency will hit every Goer whether it is at GoWeek, within the throws of Fundraising, or after arriving at one's placement. I myself encounter this beast in my head frequently and have to remind it that it is not I but Christ in me that I now live and do. In Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, there comes a time in chapter 10 when he makes a defense for his Ministry, it is in the closing of this section that Paul writes, "For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends." It is vital to recognize, be you a goer or a sender, that God alone commends, qualifies, and enables. It was also Paul who professed that it is 'in our weakness that He is made strong,' that it is 'He who has begun the good work in us and will be faithful to complete it.' These sentiments are not new in God's story. It was a slave who rose to second in command in Egypt, it was a murderer who brought the people through the wilderness, it was a prostitute who enabled an army's victory, it was a boy who slayed a giant, it was a young prophet that called his people into repentance, and it was God's will that through each of these that such things were done. When the thoughts come, and they most certainly will, the only way to take them captive is by proclaiming the truth of God. Here are some scriptures I use to claim God's authority over my life.
Genesis 50:20a - As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.
Leviticus 11:44a - For I am the Lord your God. Consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am holy.
Psalm 3:3 - But You, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head.
Psalm 9:10 - And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 16:2 - I say to the Lord, "You are my Lord; I have not good apart from you."
Psalm 27:1 - The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid.
Psalm 93:1&4 - The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Mightier than the thunders of the waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lord on high is mighty!
Psalm 145:8 - The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Proverbs 3:6 - In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.
Ezekiel 36:26-27 - And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Matthew 6:31-33 - Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'what shall we eat?' or 'what shall we drink?' or 'what shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Mark 5:36b - "Do not fear, only believe."
Mark 13:13 - And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
John 8:12 - Again Jesus spoke to them saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk darkness, but will have the light of life."
2 Corinthians 12:9 - But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weakness, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
Philippians 1:6 - And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 13:8 - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
Revelation 7:9-10 - After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!"
Revelation 21:3 - And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God."