Overcoming Doubt and Unbelief

by Odette | Feb 5, 2024 | Blog Post

In our life's journey, we will experience situations where we will have doubts and unbelief. Let's be honest, this is natural for us as humans to have these. It is not a matter of having doubts and unbelief, it is how we learn to overcome them.

Both doubt and unbelief can, if allowed to grown, can cripple us from moving forward into the plans and purpose that God has for us. Let's face it, we all have dreams, hope and aspirations, but if we allow the seed of doubt and unbelief to grow, we will constantly put off pursuing those dreams.

When we stand on the Word of the only true and living God, all fears and doubts will have to leave. I am not saying that we won't get them from time to time, however, they will not be like a permanent fixture in our minds.

IDENTIFYING THE ROOT CAUSE

Overcoming doubt and unbelief, the first thing is to identify the root cause. it could be from past experiences, where you have tried starting a project or business and it did not work out. Because of this, the fear of failure is there as a reminder, which is causing you to have these negative thoughts.

Many times, our doubts and unbelief stem from our childhood. This can happen when as a child, instead of encouragement, our parents would criticise something that we did or they may even say something like "nothing you try will every work". Without you realising it, the spirit of doubt and unbelief entered and has been lingering inside you for years.

Once you understand the source of your doubt and unbelief, you can take steps to not only deal with it, but to also overcome it.

SCRIPTURE VERSES ON OVERCOMING DOUBT AND UNBELIEF

In Matthew 19:26, Jesus said, "with God all things are possible. When we put our trust and faith in the Lord, we will see the impossible become possible.

In 1 John 4:4, we read, "You are of God little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. It is the power of God working in and through us that makes what seems impossible possible.

Luke 1:37 tells us that "nothing is impossible with God."

MOVING FORWARD IN YOUR DREAMS

Have you ever had a dream of taking a different path in life, like going back to school or even start a business? You decide to share this with a friend but instead of encouraging you, this friend only discourages you. You may even hear the voice of your parents echoing the doubts in your mind. With all those negative voices, you eventually talk yourself out of pursing your dreams.

Instead of listening to that negativity, take your dreams and aspirations to the Lord and He will give you wise counsel.

After all, He was the one who had/have planted that seed in your heart in the first place. In the book of Jeremiah 29:11 reads - "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope."

The Lord has such great plans for all of us, so instead of listening to the pessimist, listen only to the voice of the Lord Jesus who tells us in Mark 9:23 - Jesus said to him, "if you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."

In this Scripture, Jesus was talking to the man whose son was possessed by demons. this man believed, however, he still had unbelief and this is why he answered Jesus by saying "Lord I believe but help my unbelief". He had enough faith in him although it was not a lot. The Lord wants us to have faith even as small as a mustard seed because it can move mountains.

I am not saying that the doubts won't come but instead of focusing on our doubts, let us focus only instead on the Lord Jesus and what He tells us in His Word.

If we continue to dwell on our doubts, it can completely overwhelm us, which can prevent us from reaching our full potential in fullfiling the plans that the Lord has for us.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Instead of telling yourself that you can't, tell yourself that you can and will try. You won't know until you try. After all, as the Scripture tells us, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

In John 10:10 we read, "the thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy, I come that they might have life and that they might have it abundantly."

Doubt and unbelief are like the thief but when we believe in what the Word of God tells us, we will have life.

You Are Created With Purpose

by Odette | Jul 3, 2023 | Blog Post

Every person is created with purpose, uniquely designed by God to fulfill a special role in His divine plan. Biblical purpose, faith-driven living, and God’s calling are essential in understanding why we were made. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” No matter where you are in life, God has a purpose for you that is meaningful and significant. When we align our lives with His will, we experience spiritual fulfillment, joy, and divine direction.

In this blog, we’ll explore how to discover your God-given purpose, overcome doubts, and live with faith-driven confidence. By seeking Him through prayer, scripture, and obedience, you can step boldly into the life He has designed for you—one filled with hope, impact, and spiritual growth. Whether you’re looking for Christian inspiration, biblical encouragement, or faith-based motivation, remember that you were fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) for a reason. Embrace your God-ordained destiny and walk in the power of His purpose today!

God has created each of us with a unique calling, and walking in our purpose means embracing His plan with faith and confidence. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” When we align our lives with God’s will, we experience spiritual fulfillment, joy, and divine direction.

But how do we discover and walk boldly in our God-given purpose? It starts with seeking Him through prayer, scripture, and obedience. When we trust His timing and step out in faith, we unlock the doors of opportunity, spiritual growth, and kingdom impact. Even when challenges arise, we can find strength in knowing that God equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:17).

In this blog, we’ll explore how to identify your purpose, overcome doubt, and walk in faith daily. Whether you're searching for Christian encouragement, biblical wisdom, or faith-based motivation, remember that your life has divine meaning and eternal significance. Step forward with confidence, knowing that God is leading the way!

Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice

by Odette | Apr 3, 2023 | Blog Post

OBEDIENCE IS BETTER THAN SACRIFICE

What exactly does this mean?

Obedience is better than sacrifice in everything that we do as we serve the Lord, and as Children of God, we are to live in total and complete obedience to the LORD, no matter the cost.

Scripture - 1 Samuel 15:22 (Saul's Disobedience)

So Samuel said - "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices. As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.

In 1 Samuel 15:7-23 we read where Saul was given instructions to kill everyone including the king. However, instead, he spared the kind and the animals. Because of his complete disobedience, the kingdom was taken from him.

Instead of obeying what the Lord told him to do through Samuel, Saul caved in under the pressure from those around him and also he failed to listen to the Lord and disobeyed a simple instruction. This is why Samuel told him that obedience is better than sacrifice.

THOSE WHO CHOSE TO BE OBEDIENT

Why Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice?

KING DAVID

In the scripture, David is know as a man ofter God's heart. Like Saul, he was anointed king of Israel. The difference between the two is that when David's sin with Bathsheba was exposed by Nathan the prophet instead of puffing up himself with pride, he humbled himself before the LORD and repented. Saul on the other hand, tried to defend his disobedient action by telling Samuel that he brought back the animals for sacrifice to the LORD.

Irrespective of his motives for not killing the animals, this was still disobedience in the eyes of the LORD.

ABRAHAM

In Genesis, we read about Abraham whom God instructed to leave his relatives in the land of Haran and to go to another land. Abraham had no idea where he was going, however, instead of questioning the LORD, he trusted His direction. Because of this, Abraham was deemed righteous.

Although I have only mentioned David and Abraham, there are more patriachs in the Bible who have chosen to obey the LORD despite what may or may not happen to them.

We are called by the LORD to trust Him and always be obedient no matter what we think or feel. Although we may not understand, we must at all times trust the process because the LORD knows the beginning from the end.

Many of us have been called to go into ministry full-time or to start a business but have refused to answer the call from God.

The first thing we often think about is; how are my bills going to be paid; where am I going to get money from, etc. We start thinking about us and what is going to happen to the lifestyle that we have created for ourselves.

Regardless of not knowing or understanding what is going to happen, we have to be in total obedience and step out of our comfort zones.

Let us remember that the will of God will not take us somewhere, where the grace of God will not protect us.

His Love Chastens Us

by Odette | Dec 2, 2022 | Blog Post

HIS LOVE CHASTENS US

His love chastens us and as children of God, if we continue to be disobedient and want to do our own thing, we will suffer the consequences of our own disobedience.

Learn From The Past

In 2 Kings 17, we read that the children of God sinned against the Lord. They worshipped Baal and other false gods. Because of this, "the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah only" (2 Kings 17:18).

Let us allow this to properly sink in, "the Lord removed them out of His sight." Since God did this to the Israel, why do we think that He will not do the same to us if we continue to be disobedient.

Scriptures tells us that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. The Lord have been so good to us and when we think of it, is really that hard to be obedient to Him? Don't get me wrong there are times when we do miss the mark without knowing that we have. This is something totally different when compared to willful disobedience.

My Journey

In my current walk with the Lord, there are times when I have been disobedient. However, due to my disobedience, the Lord has chastened me. This chastening is not meant to cause me to turn and run from the Lord but it is instead there to draw me closer and back to Him because I have missed the mark.

If I am being honest, I do not like the chastening, but I have to stand and face it because there is absolutely nowhere I can go and the Lord does not see me. As David says in Psalm 139:7-10, "where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold you are there."

His Love Corrects & His Love Chasens Us

In reading the Bible, I have come to realise that out of His great and unspeakable love for us, when we mess up, He corrects us.

As parents, when we see our children heading into situations that are not right, as human father who corrected our children when they are wrong, about the choices they are about to make or have made. This is the same thing with the Lord, He hates sin but loves the sinner. When we mess up by being disobedient, it seperates us from Him.

Let us continue to accept the heavenly Father's chastening even when it is painful. It is out of His never ending love for us, He corrects us.

As the Scripture tells us in Hebrews 12:6 "For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives."