You > Article Archive > Content The Roadblock of Doubt Print Page By Dr. Charles Stanley Have you experienced so much failure that you’re afraid to try again? Have you ever felt alone, wondering if God cares about your dreams? Is it difficult to believe that biblical promises will really work for you? If so, you might be held back from pursuing your God-given purpose by what I call the roadblock of doubt. Believing you can achieve a goal is vital to reaching it. The writer of Hebrews says, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). After you receive His gift of salvation, obeying God includes pursuing goals He has designed for your life. Without faith in God—and without believing He will reward those who diligently seek Him—you will fail. Perhaps you doubt because you lack understanding that God is with you always. I encourage you to read aloud one of these passages of Scripture until you truly believe it: Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:19: “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Hebrews 13:5: “I will never desert you nor will I ever forsake you.” Matthew 7:7: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” When I experience momentary doubt, I usually get on my knees, open my Bible, and read it aloud to God, saying, “Lord, this is what You have said in Your Word. I trust You to do this in my life.” Another reason people doubt is their past failures. Most of us need to stop looking over our shoulders at past mistakes. By doing so, they carry guilt over sins the Lord has already forgiven and forgotten. If God has forgiven you—which He says He does every time you confess your sins to Him—then forgive yourself. (See John 1:9.) It isn’t possible to mess up so badly that God will reject you or turn away from using you. Thinking that you’re a failure will cause you to act like one, and the things you attempt to do will miss the mark. Choose to lay down your defeatist mindset, and embrace your identity as a beloved, spiritually-gifted child of God. Don’t wait for someone else to do what is really your responsibility. Too often people expect others to provide opportunities and blessings to help them succeed. God wants you to reach the goals He designed uniquely for you. Nobody else can do the believing or the work necessary to accomplish His plans for your life. Take God at His Word. Many people read the Bible but then conclude, “That’s for somebody else.” What you read in the Scriptures is for you. Count on it. Jesus gave us great encouragement about what happens to those who face life with faith rather than doubt. He taught that they could move mountains (Mark 11:22-24). Such a large feat may take time––in some cases, years or decades, but it is possible when a believer is yielded to the Holy Spirit and perseveres in His power. Consider a young man who is called to a life of preaching the gospel. The Lord doesn’t say, “I expect you to produce 50 years’ worth of sermons.” Rather, the Lord says, “I set before you the goal of preaching the gospel as long as you are alive, as effectively and irresistibly as you can.” The young preacher needs to say, “What does the Lord want to say through me to the people in my church this week?” With that attitude of trust and dependence, he is likely to believe God for a good sermon each week, one at a time. Then, if he lives long enough, he’ll have sermons for 50 years. Focus your energy on short-range goals, where it will be most effective and potent. Over time, your faith will grow stronger as your goals become more challenging. Only as you look back will you be able to say, “I lived by faith.” And that, of course, is precisely God’s desire for you (2 Cor. 5:7). Do you doubt your ability to reach God-given goals? If your answer is yes, confess your need to the Lord. Ask Him to forgive you. Then ask Him to help you move forward in your life. Push doubt aside, and act as the saved, Spirit-filled, gifted child of God that you are. Adapted from Success God’s Way (2000). Copyright 2014 In Touch Ministries, Inc. All rights reserved. intouch.org. In Touch grants permission to print for personal use only. Print Page 17 comments ADD A COMMENT\(Log in or create an account\) April 11, 2012 03:17 PM by As usual Dr. Stanley is right on!!! April 11, 2012 06:04 AM by Thank you, just thank you! April 10, 2012 10:35 PM by Woooohooooo April 10, 2012 06:48 AM by Amen.. this is really for me.. Thank you Dr. Stanley! GOD bless you and your Ministries - Rascy, a filipina of United Arab Emirates April 09, 2012 11:21 PM by Touched in ways I cant begin to explain by these words. April 09, 2012 10:07 PM by Thank You Pastor Stanley! April 09, 2012 09:30 PM by Thank you, Dr. Stanley, for these words of encouragement. April 09, 2012 09:23 PM by Dr. Stanley, As always you have offered such wise counsel. I have struggled with an unansered prayer for many years until recently moving to a congregation who firmly believes in Gods promises and they have been a blessing in my faith. I count on His instruction, Whatever you ask, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. This, along with the scripture youve shared is all I need to believe. God bless you and In Touch Ministries. April 09, 2012 08:49 PM by This is speaking to me. I am praying that God show me what he wants me to do in a situation. I am confused and have been praying for a long time... April 09, 2012 08:46 PM by I needed this today! April 25, 2011 05:06 PM by i thank God for you Dr Stanley and your solid ministry. My husband and I APPRECIATE YOU and your invaluable dedication,insight and love for the word of God. April 12, 2011 11:01 PM by Truth Is Truth Is Truth... April 12, 2011 06:23 PM by I pray for his wisdom and knowledge also strength each day I want so badly for him to be proud of me April 12, 2011 01:17 PM by very good words of encouragement god bless you April 10, 2011 12:12 AM by It very inspiring, refreshing and re-asuring of Gods love and faithfulness to all who trust and walk in His ways..... they will always win because God is the source of their strenght. April 09, 2011 11:43 PM by Awesome! Thanks! This is so helpful! April 08, 2011 05:47 PM by DOUBT CAN BECOME LIKE A GOLIATH BUT GOD IS GREATER. AMEN.(PSALM 18:30-32 Add a comment Log in or create an account to post a comment Rate It: 12345 Comment: 2000 characters remaining SUBMIT COMMENT
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