Faith.
It is the best thing we have and, yet the hardest thing to walk by.
It is the gift of moving beyond our self, and all the same, the gift of seeing into our self.
It is the know-how that we don’t know-how.
It is the reasoning, others call mis-reasoned.
It is the bootcamp for endurance and perseverance.
It is the beginning of progress and the end of self-loathing.
It is both our movement and the mercy of Jesus co-mingling.
It is the knowledge that what we can’t do, we always can do – through Christ.
It is a step towards the unknown, where we trust the known is holding us.
It is the access point to amazing.
It is the hope of all glory laid down on earth.
It is our calling, the thing that I love and the thing I so often hate. It stretches me. It pushes me. It calls me to the cliff, in a way, it wraps it’s hands around me and shoves me over m cliff of safety. It makes my heart pump. It gets me sweaty. But, all the same, it works every time, when I let it.
So why don’t I let it work?
I just went to Allume, a bloggers conference. It was destined to be a glorious time! A time God had cut out for me to love others, to offer prayer and to walk with him. Yet, at the very beginning of the event, faith started to walk out and doubts started to walk in. All I seemed to be left with was a slip and slide experience of doubts ready to splash away all my dreams of excitement. Whoosh! Away she goes.
So, what is one to do when we see ourselves slipping away from God? When we find the trigger point to our doubting point has been pulled? We have to find out what compelled us to pull the trigger in the first place.
5 Ways We Self-Destruct Daily Faith
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Forgetting Grace
When we walk hitting our self with the force of all we can never do right, we walk with an internal wrecking ball that stands to tear down the joy we have in the Lord. Forgetting grace means, building a monument to shame that you can’t stop looking at.
TRUTH: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. La. 3:22
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Being Someone Else
The second we walk in someone else’s skin is the second our own skin ends up crawling in discouragement and doubt. We can’t expect to feel full when we are emptying all that God created us to be on to the floor to be trampled upon.
TRUTH: For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart. 1 Sam. 16:7
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Looking at Other’s Best Pictures
When we take those horrid both-eyes-closed-with-a-double-chin pictures and compare them against others glamour shots, it is no wonder we feel like God couldn’t love us.
TRUTH: (Nothing) will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ro. 8:39
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Thinking There Really is No Plan
When we think he’s not sending us anywhere, we start sitting nowhere. We will fall back on the couch – stagnant, scared, indignant and like repellant to change. Loaded schedules, relaxation, timidity and entertainment become the pursuit of our life.
TRUTH: So, because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Rev. 3:16 (to be considered in light of John 3:16)
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Not Keeping an Always-Eye Out for God
When we go through the day living by our minds rulings, we consistently miss who is ruling. It is the fastest way to move away from God, fast.
TRUTH: In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Prov. 16:9
God has great stored for you. Will you open it? Will you walk to it?
For me, at Allume, my soul got right with faith on day 1, so that on days 2, 3 and 4, God could walk through. And he did. I praise Him for this return, because if I didn’t there is no doubt I would have wandered like a lost little red riding hood.
What I came to see was the faith-eating wolves where really sheep that God wants to use to bless me far beyond my greatest pre-conceived dreams. Taking a stand in faith, is always the best stand one can take.
Where will you stand – lost? Or found in God’s great plan?
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Love this post, Kelly! I was especially blessed by some of the points you made about what faith is because they were great and encouraging reminders that my heart truly embraced through your words. I love how you share your heart with us with such transparency. You are a great blessing, sweet friend. Peace and many blessings to you, Love! 🙂
Thank you Tai. May we arm up in strong faith! Let’s go! Love you dear one.
I am with you! Love you too! 🙂
Kelly,
I went down the checklist, yep…I do that…and that too…yes to that one…and on it goes. I’m particularly guilty of comparing myself to others’ best pictures. I know that if I compare myself to a fictionalized character, I will always come up short, but yet I do it. Thank you for the bold reminder this morning to cut it out! And just let God love on me just the way I am!
Blessings,
Bev
God just wants to touch your soul, just as you are Bev. XOXO
Hi Kelly, thank you for today’s devotion. I appreciate the faith self-destruct points you have mentioned.
This is an important call to self reflection. I will particularly watch out for them!
Thanks for the linkup.
Blessings to you
Thank you Ifeoma. Let’s keep our eyes open and our faith abounding.
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Powerful and heartfelt words today in a world that works tirelessly to take our focus off of Jesus. Thank you, Kelly, for reminding me Who I belong to and what really matters.
My pleasure. God holds us so tightly in his love.
I can totally relate, Kelly. I walked down this same path just last week. Another thing that can lead to self-destructing faith is being blind-sided with a problem that seems insurmountable. When that happens, I temporarily forget number 4! Thankfully, when I’ve ‘hidden God’s Word in my heart’, those truths begin to override the lack of faith and shout His truth back into my situation. Great reminder today!
It can be such a hard path to walk, but God gently pulls us back.
So glad you went to Allume and that God met you there! How exciting. I can’t wait to hear more.
Yes, faith is the access point to amazing. Yet it’s so slippery to hold onto, isn’t it? Only by God’s grace. Blessings on your family and on your ministry today, Kelly!
It is! Let’s do it though Betsy. Thank you for your love.
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Thanks for this, Kelly. How often I find myself self-destructing my faith with your examples above. Glad you were able to go to Allume. Hope to read more of what you learned! Blessings, sweet friend!
I think I am still processing all my learnings, but it was so much fun!
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I was so blessed to meet you at Allume and to just see how you shine for Christ in person. You are beautiful! I am seeking to be found in God’s plans and it seems that this is my purpose currently. Letting go so I can let God and then moving forward in action as He calls. It honestly is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I am a doer and waiting for God and His timing is a quest for patience, quiet and being still in His presence. Your words match everything else I have been hearing and reading. Thank you and hugs!
Yes! I love this Mary. I just love it. Let go. I am working on that too. I think his filling is going to be amazing. You can do it. I can do it. Let’s do it together. I love your heart and just who you are. It was a complete pleasure to meet you.
Oh yes, faith is such a love/hate. It’s the “tough”, those growth spurts, that prove painful…yet there’s always joy on the other side. Kelly, you’ve written wisdom in plain day. Thank you. The post is easy to read (I’m taking tips from you, girl!), and it overflows with direction. ~ Standing in His plan
It is. It can be so hard. But, I praise God that he lays it out for us! Thank you Kristi.
Keep your eyes on Jesus Carmen! Thank you for reminding that walking in faith is the answer to the longings of my heart. I appreciate your heart Kelly. xxxooo
Let’s do it. Let’s keep watching him. Love you Carmen.
Last week was a testing week for many of us sisters in Christ it seems. I faced something that took my breath away and left me self-loathing and wrestling ever since. Thanks for the reminder that greater is He who is in me than the evil one who only seeks destruction. Faith is where I need to take this, He who loves me will make all things new.
Praying for you right now Renee. May you walk in all faith.
Awesome lesson Kelly! I so often get consumed by the wolves and need to stand up in FAITH! Nothing is big enough to consume me when I am standing with the Lord!
Let’s stand tall and strong against wolves Sarah!
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Kelly, Number 4 is what gets me! Just because I don’t have a clear sense of His plan and direction doesn’t mean I get to sit still. It’s a time for active waiting. Thank you!
It is such a snag isn’t it Ellen. Let’s walk in God’s clear plan!
I enjoyed how you said it is the gift of moving past ourselves, and yet looking at self also. I’m thankful we have a Savior who is there with us on all days. Thanks for sharing and for hosting. Hope you have a wonderful week 🙂
Much love to you Kelly! Thank you so much.
Kelly, this is such a truth-filled, beautiful post. I’ve walked out each of these faith-stealers, I’m sorry to say. But, when I take my eyes off of others and self and change my thinking from making comparisons and set all of this before Jesus, then He fills me and strengthens me to walk in faith. I loved the truths you put under each point. I have one boy who never allows himself to walk in God’s grace. I want to share Lam 3:21 with him.
Praise God for how he fills you and strengthens you. It is an amazing thing, isn’t it?
Gosh this is so very powerful, a real keeper I’ll return to often!! I recently went through a motherhood burnout that left me with one mustard see of faith I could barely find in my heart..through intentional soul care and a staycation, I’m slowly returning to God’s arms and faith is growing again. Yet, so much of what you shared rings true…everything in fact..what’s up for me lately is feeling purposeless as I’m in a huge career transition and getting ready for the empty nest…your words strike “When we think he’s not sending us anywhere, we start sitting nowhere. We will fall back on the couch – stagnant, scared, indignant and repellant to change.” Radical Faith is the only thing that will break through such lies. So rich, thank you!
Such powerful truths, Kelly. Thank you. Though I’m guilty of all these self-destructing ways, #1 is a real biggie for me. Too often shame consumes me. Oh, to remember grace. So freely given and holding no condemnation. I need this reminder daily as I’m so forgetful. But God is so loving and patient with me. Blessings and hugs!
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Good reminders friend! Thank you for hosting the #RaRaLinkup. We appreciate you!
Loved that you got it right on Day 1. So often we don’t get it right until the end! A good reminder to be prepared to embrace faith. Thanks, Kelly.
I loved this, Kelly. The 5 ways are spot on. I love the reminder to not compare our worst to another’s best, too. I’ve heard so many bloggers mentioning Allume. It sounds wonderful. I hope to attend some of these great events next year!
Thank you for hosting, making me smile, encouraging my heart, and simply for being you each and every week!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
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Those insecurities always sneak in to steal what God is trying to do in us and through us. I know, they threatened to take me over too. I loved rooming with you and talking with you and Angela over the weekend. What a gift. I treasure that take we had. Thanks so much for being you and letting God speak truth to you.
I hate how they sneak in Abby. Loved rooming with you too. You are a gift for sure.
I am guilty of #4. I just feel stuck and though I have faith that God is working things out for me, and I can see blessings as they come, when I am not seeing anything happen I get into a “funk” and feel stuck, like I need to take this into my own hands. What an awesome post.
And Allume sounds awesome! This is the second time I have seen someone talking about it.
#4 Stinks. So many of us hit that snag. May we rest amidst the stress.
5 Things That Self-Destruct Faith (Which You’re Probably Doing)
FAITH IS THE KNOW-HOW THAT WE DON’T KNOW HOW
Dear Kelly,
I loved this article. It was just what I needed and continually need. Sometimes in life we get busy doing life, acting like it is easy, or getting frustrated with ourselves and others. The article was wonderful reminder of God’s grace FOR us and THROUGH us.
Blessings – Sharon
I am so glad it spoke to you Sharon. Your words are so encouraging. I appreciate you.
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