Beginning with Eve, doubt has stolen more dreams, killed more hopes and destroyed more destinies in the lives of women than perhaps much else.
Yes, Satan knew even then if he could simply create doubt he could control lives God intended for greatness.
In Genesis 3 we see the deceit of doubt doubt being birthed.
“He (the serpent Satan) said to the woman “Did God really say “You may not eat from any tree in the garden?” (v 1) to which Eve replied “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden but God did say “You must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden and you may not touch it or you will die.” (v 2-3)
Eve knows the truth (as does the enemy) yet he will always distort and manipulate that truth just enough to create doubt, knowing it is the ultimate destroyer of life.
How many of us have abandoned our dreams, settled for less than the best and shelved our talents due to doubt?
How many of our desires have gone unfilled because doubt (traveling with shame) blankets us with guilt taunting us with “who do you think you are to deserve that after the sins of your past?”
How many times has God asked us to use our gifts and talents but doubt shows up immediately asking “What if I fail?” What will others think?” “What if no one likes me?”
So we shrink in the shadows paralyzed with fear, anxiety and shame questioning our spirituality, abilities and often our sanity.
How many attempts at our health goals fail because doubt says “here you go again attempting to get in shape when we both know you will quit at the first obstacle or sight of dessert so why bother?”
How many have settled for less than the best in relationships because doubt says “Girl you don’t deserve a godly man” and begins slinging past sins at you like mud reminding you of poor choices and previous relational failures.
Doubt yells “don’t bother” “don’t even try” and “just settle.”
Doubt attempts to throw us in the pit of mediocrity attacking us during our loneliest, most vulnerable moments with fear and questioning the very Father who deposited the goals, dreams, talents and desires within us.
Then “Doubt” invites “Not Enough” to join in knowing he holds the nail in the coffin to every woman’s destiny if he can simply convince us we aren’t enough – spiritual enough, pretty enough, educated enough, thin enough, or successful enough.”
He is right. We are not enough.
According to our adoring Father WE ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH.
The enemy of doubt is the belief that we are who He says we are.
Belief says we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37), are given more grace (James 4:6) and loved by a God who is able to do exceedingly more than we could ask (Eph 3:20)
Belief reminds Satan that God has “lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.” (Ps 40:2).
Beliefs declares we are not our past sins, yesterday’s mistakes or tomorrow’s failures.
Belief encourages us to never settle for less than God’s best, to keep going in the face of doubt and to daily “take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows (doubt and lies) of the evil one” and swing the “sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Eph 6: 16-17).
Today we assert our rights as God’s precious daughters and shut the mouth of doubt by reminding him who we are and whose we are in Christ.
We are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17), anointed (1 John 2:27), loved (1 John 4:10), redeemed (Rev 5:9) capable (Phil 4:13), healed (Isa 53:5) been given peace (John 14:27) given strength in exchange for weakness (2 Col 12:10), blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph 1:3) and may approach God with boldness, freedom and confidence (Eph 3:12).
Today is the day we finally show doubt the door, officially uninvite him to our party and embrace the wondrous truths of who we are according to God’s Word!
Sandra Hubbard.
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