A thought by Kyle Idleman from his
book, Don't Give Up (p. 126). Baker Publishing Group. Kindle Edition. (Click
on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)
Kyle says, “It’s interesting, and may
be helpful to know, that research indicates that both men and women struggle
with feelings of inadequacy, though in different ways. Women tend to blame
themselves, assuming they don’t have what it takes. Men typically blame their
circumstances, believing that someone or something else is at fault. We can all
buy into the you-don’t-have-what-it-takes lie.
“This is an easy lie to believe
because there are so many opportunities to compare ourselves nowadays. Everyone
puts the best version of themselves on social media. I’m trying to get a
petition started that changes the name of Facebook to Façade and Instagram to
Mirage. Maybe then we wouldn’t look at these airbrushed versions of people’s
lives and feel so insecure. We compare our normal lives with the highlights of
an idealized version of other people’s lives, and we feel like we fall short.
We start to think we don’t have what it takes.”
He later says, “This lie is tricky
because there’s some truth in it. That’s how the best lies work. If a lie was
wholly untrue, you’d recognize it and reject it. But there could be some truth
to the idea that you don’t have what it takes—it’s just not the whole truth,
and the whole truth is what sets us free. Here it is: With God, I have everything I need to do
everything I need to do.
“Would you take a second and read that
truth out loud?
“Read it aloud again. Stop and spend
some time with it. Get to know it a little better. Because this truth is
life-changing.
“Listen to how this liberating news is
shared with us in God’s Word: ‘His divine power has given us everything we need
for a godly life’ (2 Pet. 1:3). ‘A godly life’ means more than simply a
life not dominated by sin. It means God has a great plan for your life and,
through his power, will give you everything you need to live it.
“So the next time you think you don’t
have what it takes, reject the lie by saying, Well, even if that’s the case—I
know who does have what it takes.
Kyle says, “Another one: ‘I can do all
this through him who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13). There’s nothing you need
to do that you can’t do. Through Jesus, it’s all possible. When you’re
weak, it’s an opportunity to experience real strength.
“Let’s read the truth one more time: With God, I have everything I need to do
everything I need to do. That truth will set
you free!”
And it does, it really does. So, will you believe the truth instead of the
lie and not give up? Will you!
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