What keeps you from going all in?

What happens when God calls you to step out from the comfort of your safe little box? Do you step out and say, ‘okay God, it’s You and me?’ Or do you say, ‘no way’ and triple check that the door is securely bolted? So what keeps you from going all in? 

Fear, doubt, anxiety, isolation, depression, business…just to name a few. Whenever I am going through something, somehow God reminds me of the promises He’s made. A scripture verse or an encouraging word from someone helps bring my focus back on Him. 

Fear has kept me from doing the things that I’ve wanted to do for most of my life. I’ve been told many times that I wasn’t good enough and made to feel worthless. I stayed in my corner, safe in my box afraid to take a leap of faith and step out. Over the years I have set so many goals for myself, but the voice in my head made sure that I would stay right where I was. It is an ongoing battle that even now as I am writing this, the voice is telling me that nobody cares about what I have to say. I choose to listen to the other voice that tells me I am good enough. 

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18 (NKJV)

There is no fear in love. No fear! So why is it that when we feel the Lord leading us in a certain direction, we are afraid to step out? Why am I afraid to step out KNOWING what I am called to do? Fear stops us from receiving the blessings God has for us. Don’t let the enemy keep you frozen in fear!

***

Depression holds us captive and makes us want to remain in our comfort zone when everything is crashing down on us. Our focus is no longer on God, but our situation. We worry about our problems instead of laying it at Jesus feet. 

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6,7 (NKJV)   

A friend once told me, “If you’re going to pray about it, don’t worry about it. If you’re going to worry about it, don’t pray about it.” Letting in that one little thought of worry, will send us spiraling down a deep dark pit of depression. But take courage in knowing that Jesus came so that we could be free from depression! This is a battle I face daily and it is important that I remain focused on Jesus and all He’s freed me from. In the past, I’ve used alcohol to help me ‘get away’ from my depression, but it only caused more problems. It brought out the ugly in me and soon I was thinking of ways to kill myself. The enemy is a liar and he will tell you anything to get you to believe that life is not worth living and it's the only way out. He almost had me convinced several times, but each time someone intervened. Now, I’m convinced more than ever that God has a purpose and a plan for my life.           Depression, like fear, will keep us from receiving all that God has for us. It will keep us in this dark hole that we have dug for ourselves and the only way out is through the strength of Jesus.

***

Isolation Satan wants to keep us isolated from our friends and family. He wants us to feel alone and unloved. When we’re by ourselves, it’s easier to take our eyes off Jesus. He creeps in and steals our joy. Instead of falling on our knees and crying out to God, we wallow in self pity. We believe the lies of the enemy because his lies seem more believable when we’re isolated. We distance ourselves from those God has placed in our lives to encourage us. We listen to the lie that no one cares what we are going through and it keeps us from stepping out. Do we have people in our lives that we can count on and who will always be there for us? 

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 (NKJV) 

I was asked once, ‘do you have a tribe of sisters you can reach out to?’ I thought long and hard about this question. As a Pastor’s wife, it’s sometimes difficult for me to find someone to reach out to. I have friends that I know I can trust, but it takes every ounce of strength I have to open up about something I’m facing. 

***

Business is something that will keep us from going all in. Do we busy our lives with too many obligations? How many times a week do we say ‘yes’ to things that will keep us from fulfilling the will of God? When we get too busy, we don’t have time to sit and wait on God. That’s when we become impatient. That’s when we give up because we don’t have time to wait on God. 

“Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)

Being still, or resting at Jesus feet is where we find our strength. It’s where we find all that we need. God knows what we need, when we need it. We just have to wait for His perfect timing.

Sometimes we get busy taking care of others and their needs, but how are our needs being met? This is a hard lesson for me to learn because all of my life I’ve put others first. My dreams were put on the back burner and it remained there for years. I allowed it. I allowed myself to be too busy with the needs of others and neglected my own. 

The Bible talks about Mary and Martha. Two sisters whose home Jesus went to visit. Martha was so busy serving everyone and took her complaint to Jesus about her sister Mary who sat at Jesus feet listening to Him. 

“And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41,42 (NKJV)

We should never be too busy to sit and be still at Jesus feet. Soak in His presence and allow Him to fill your life with what you need. Let Him breathe life into you. 

I think the distractions of life go hand in hand with the business of our day. Horses wear blinders or blinkers to keep from being distracted. We need to put our blinders on and forget about the chaos around us. Look to God and keep moving closer to Him.

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14 

It’s only through the mercy and grace of Christ Jesus that we are able to stay on the path laid out for us. What distractions do you have that keep you busy? It could be the littlest thing that’ll take you on a crazy rabbit trail to the biggest obstacle in your way. Put your blinders on and keep pressing forward!

Blessings!