{"id":227988,"date":"2023-11-28T13:28:24","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T18:28:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/liveoriginal.com\/?p=227988"},"modified":"2024-08-09T14:27:28","modified_gmt":"2024-08-09T18:27:28","slug":"purposeinsecurity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/liveoriginal.com\/purposeinsecurity\/","title":{"rendered":"Purpose > Insecurity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever doubted or questioned the calling, purpose, or instruction God has given you? Have you ever felt crippled by insecurity, uncertainty, or fear? If so, you\u2019re not alone.<\/span><\/p>\n

I recently started reading the book of Jeremiah. It\u2019s one of my favorite books in the Old Testament. His life and story provides an amazing example of what we should do when we face these doubts and feel hindered in stepping forward into our God-given purpose. To the one who feels held back by insecurity when it comes to doing what God has called or instructed you to do, these words are for you. I pray that through them, you are encouraged and challenged to step forward in obedience into all that He has for you. As a result, I believe you will see Him do what only He can do in and through you.<\/span><\/p>\n

The book of Jeremiah begins with an interaction between Jeremiah and the Lord,\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe <\/span>Lord<\/span> gave me this message:<\/span> \u201cI knew you before I formed you in your mother\u2019s womb. Before you were born I set you apart<\/span> and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.\u201d \u201cO Sovereign <\/span>Lord<\/span>,\u201d I said, \u201cI can\u2019t speak for you! I\u2019m too young!\u201d The <\/span>Lord<\/span> replied, \u201cDon\u2019t say, \u2018I\u2019m too young,\u2019 for you must go wherever I send you and say whatever I tell you. And don\u2019t be afraid of the people, for I will be with you and will protect you. I, the <\/span>Lord<\/span>, have spoken!\u201d Then the <\/span>Lord<\/span> reached out and touched my mouth and said, \u201cLook, I have put my words in your mouth!<\/span> Today I appoint you to stand up against nations and kingdoms. Some you must uproot and tear down, destroy and overthrow. Others you must build up and plant.\u201d Jeremiah 1:4-9\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As God shares the purpose for which He created Jeremiah and set him apart, Jeremiah doesn\u2019t respond to this calling with confidence, assurance, and excitement. <\/span>He responds with doubt, hesitation, and insecurity in his own ability to fulfill the purpose for which he has been created and set apart. Jeremiah believes that God is unable to speak through him because of his young age.<\/span><\/p>\n

Instead of agreeing with Jeremiah\u2019s insecurity, the Lord tells him not to be hindered or identified by it. Jeremiah\u2019s doubt in himself didn\u2019t change God\u2019s mind about the assignment He had given him. He simply goes on to guide him in how to overcome the doubts he is facing and step into his calling. <\/span>God meets Jeremiah\u2019s hesitant response with two commands and two promises.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

God commands Jeremiah:<\/span><\/p>\n

(1) To go where He tells him to go (2) To say what He has called Him to say.<\/span><\/p>\n

God\u2019s promises to Jeremiah are:<\/span><\/p>\n

(1) That He will be with Him and (2) That He will protect him.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t