‘For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.’ (2 Tim 1:6-7, NKJV)
There are times when we sense God calling us out of our comfort zones, to try something new. We hear the Spirit say, ‘It’s time!’
- It’s time to push through that barrier
- It’s time to say yes to that opportunity
- It’s time to speak up
If you struggle with uncertainty or fear, when it comes to stepping out in your spiritual gifts or ministry, you are not alone. Take Timothy, for example. He was called of God and gifted as an evangelist and teacher (2 Tim 4:5) and yet he struggled with timidity.
Overcoming fear is a recurring theme Paul addressed in his leadership of Timothy, and his insights are relevant to us today.
Perception is a Key to Removing Fear
Due to his youth and his position as Paul’s assistant, people sometimes looked down on Timothy.
Paul saw the need to admonish Timothy, ‘Let no one despise your youth’ (1 Tim 4:12, NKJV) Paul also wrote to the church at Corinth, saying, ‘And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. Therefore let no one despise him…’ (1 Cor 16:10-11a)
The fear that threatened Timothy in this case was a result of the perception—of both Timothy and others—about Timothy’s capability, given his young age.
Whilst many of us aren’t young any more, we may have our own view as to why we can’t boldly and confidently step up to perform the service God has put on our hearts.
According to the Bible, we are not disqualified by our natural attributes. We are qualified by the call of God.
Many other heroes of Scripture had obvious limitations—for example, Moses had a stutter, a criminal history, and was eighty years old when God called him to act!
What qualified him in God’s eyes was, ‘I’ve created you, I’ve called you and I am with you.’ (see Exodus 4)
What is Perception?
Your perception is your assessment of who you are (your identity) and what you are capable of. But does it match up to God’s perception of you?
The good news is that, just as with Timothy, God is calling us to upgrade our perception, so we can do God’s work wholeheartedly and without fear.
3 Ways to Overcome Fear and Upgrade Your Perception
1. Identify Your Current Perception
The clue to our perception can be found in the answer to these types of questions:
- ‘What is my excuse (if any) for not stepping out and doing what God has called me to do?’
- ‘What is the story I tell myself, as to what will happen when I do step out?
Our perception is not only what we see (about ourselves and others), it is the interpretation we place on what we see.
2. Spot the Gap Between Your Perception and God’s
Once you have an idea of your current perception—your assessment of what you are capable of—compare it to what you believe God is asking you to do.
If God has given you a problem to solve, a vocation to serve in, people to love, or a ministry to accomplish, know this: He sees you as someone who is fully equipped for the role!
You do not stand alone. You are empowered with the Holy Spirit. God is with you.
You have God’s ‘yes!’ Whatever your challenges are in terms of physical attributes, position or experience, don’t allow these to affect your perception.
- See your weaknesses transformed by the power of God.
- See them as an advantage—because of your limitations, Jesus will get the glory!
Don’t measure yourself against the task, opportunity or other people and decide you are lacking. What does your Father say?
Perhaps you have a leader who, like Paul did with Timothy, sees more potential in you. He or she is urging you to go to a next level, and it is time for you to listen and move.
Take a good, hard look at the difference between your perception, and that of your Heavenly Father. How is the Holy Spirit leading you to respond to this today?
It may be time to see the real issue for what it is—be open to allowing Him to reveal unbelief, or pride. Let Him shine His light on it, lead you to repentance and he will heal your perception.
3. See Yourself on the Other Side
Finally, here is a powerful key to upgrading your perception:
See yourself on the other side of your comfort zone, walking in your miracle.
Hold that picture—see who you are, and what you are capable of in that light. God does.
© 2018 Helen Calder Enliven Blog – Prophetic Teaching
Enliven Ministries
In the David McCracken Ministries family
Amazing to wake up and read this today. Thank you! I needed these words.
Hello Rebecca, I’m glad it was a blessing!
This truly spoke to me! Immediately following Hurricane Harvey I went to Texas as a Chaplain (first ever deployment) and had no idea what I was getting myself into. I never experienced such a hurting and lost people as I saw in those hurricane ravaged areas and I had to minister to these broken people. It was only 2 years since I recommitted myself to the Lord and had no clue what or how I was going to help these people and right then the Holy Spirit said you get out of the way and let Jesus do what He needs to do. I saw My God in a way I have never seen My God! He Lives, He Loves and He Heals the broken hearted. All He needed was a vessel to use and me to yield to Him it was a beautiful 2 months of service. When you step into the uncomfortable then expect God to do big things!!!
Kathy that’s an awesome testimony!
I love the way you received a revelation from the Holy Spirit and such a shift took place. ‘He heals the broken hearted’ <3 Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so kindly for your email I am at waiting for Jesus yet I also know that He is waiting on me Its over Eighteen years now since Jesus choose to walk with me and to show me His life. After a car accident I spent a lot of years wondering who the man was that walks everywhere with me. I saw him in the spirit I also knew nobody else saw him and after ten years I went on a search to fine out who he was and after some time I found it be Jesus Christ the One who died was buried and he rose again. I was asked to write, speck and build a building.
and to forgive all who hurt me and that is a process that I take daily with Jesus by my side and yes I am walking in freedom which only come from have a deep knowledge of His love for me What He paid for me to spend Eternity with Him in Heaven and like I say He has shown me His like in dreams and visions and yet I wait for a door to be opened so I can walk through with a full revelation of the Life of Jesus Christ… I do not even know why I am sending this email but I will so thank you for reading it Amen
Hi Bernie, you have been on a significant journey of walking with Jesus ~ the instructions and promises He gives unfold and work out over time. I pray you will be encouraged to know where you’re at right now, is a blessed place, you are loved and affirmed by God right here and now.
Thanks for sharing your story
Thanks soo much for this message.
Thanks Joel 🙂
Helen thanks for your encouragement, area am facing now or my challenges are low self esteem , not influence well in English, lost of memory mainly in bible quotation. Pls i need a help.
Hi Chidimma, I’m praying for you right now, for healing and clarity, in Jesus’ Name
I am bold to write within Christ Jesus, ‘I have been called’ When I heard was about 5 pm. While I was dressing my cerebral-palsy daughter who was then, having her formal dance, ‘two months before her 18th birthday.
I bluntly spoke and said did YOU mean me? ha, YOU must be joking!!! You gave me this, pointing to my daughter, in short, she was taken from me by the Adult Guadian’ They could not find fault in us family’ ‘we stand WE ARE BORN AGAIN’ she was two months away from becoming 18 years old, we were planning for her birthday. she lived with her female principal, other teachers, she can speak, IQ of a 5 year. I also have my younger daughter, who was born 26 weeks, that’s when I went to the CROSS ‘touched the red painting on the Cross’ ‘I stroke it’ but did not know, coming from Roman Catholic background, by HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD WE ARE HEALED.Long story she is normal. flylikeaneagle.simplesite.com
I have written down my testimony, ‘for my family’ 33 pages written 30 revelations
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