Without question, one of the greatest challenges any of us face is not from without, but from within. It’s self-doubt. Not a day goes by that I don’t sit across from someone in deep pain and sorrow, struggling with the loss of a job, the loss of a relationship, some challenge – financial, professional. It ultimately all boils down to self-doubt. If Satan can cause you to descend into self-doubt, he’s got you. Because at the end of the day, as my old friend Dave Ramsey says, “You are your own secret weapon.” You’re the one who has to make the choices to turn toward the problem and take positive and affirmative action.
So the beginning of the solution is: when there is doubt, cast it out. You must claim the promises of the Scriptures. For example, in Romans 8 it says that those of us are Christ-followers are more than conquerors through Him who loves us. My wife’s favorite verse is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Romans 8:1 says, “There is no condemnation awaiting those who are in Christ Jesus.”
As a Christ-follower there are three affirmations I need to make everyday: “I am who God says I am, I have what God says I have, and I can do what God says I can do.” Let that run over in your mind over and over again. Because anytime you allow fear and worry to crowd out the God-factor in every challenge you face, the more you’ll descend into self-doubt.
It was A. W. Tozer who said, “Anything God has ever done, He can do now. Anything God has ever done anywhere, He can do here. And anything God has ever done for anyone, He can do for you.”
That’s God’s word for you today. When in doubt, cast it out. Begin to affirm the words of Scripture. The words you say to yourself are incredibly important. When you’re in trouble and you feel there is no answer, you use very definite words like: “This is over.” “This is life or death.” “I’ll never recover.” “I’ll never have another chance.” And none of those things are true, but you can talk yourself into believing them.
So when there is doubt, cast it out. How? Say this to yourself over and over again: “I am who God says I am, I have what God says I have, and I can do what God says I can do.” You are more than a conqueror through Him who loves us. And if you don’t know that victory, you can.