I’ve been silent for a while, grappling with this question like Jacob wrestled with God. If I am doing what I sense God called and gifted me to do, why am I struggling so much? Why is it so hard, and why do the arrows continue to be thrown at me? I am weary and overwhelmed. Help!

Have you ever felt this way? Like you heard clearly from God and started “the thing” He called you to do, only to get into the thick of it to find the clouds growing dark around you? Your energy begins to wane. Your confidence takes a hit. And suddenly, you’re questioning if you heard God at all. Or if you did hear Him, maybe you misunderstood what He called you to?

This has been my life for the past few weeks. I am an introvert, so attending any conference is cause for hives or a panic attack. Still, I packed my suitcase and listened to worship music and a motivational book on Audible throughout the 10-hour drive to the hotel.

Once there, I smiled and pretended to be confident, hoping no one could tell how truly nervous I was. Throughout the week, God and I had a lot of conversations, and I prayed constant prayers which He answered in many meaningful ways.

Why did I doubt Him? God has always been faithful to me. Yet, left alone in my hotel room each night, my mind can sometimes be hijacked. I don’t like to admit it after the last blog that I shared about the power we all need to know we have in the Word of God and the Name of Jesus.

But there I was, nervous each morning to leave my room and re-engage with the beautiful Christian women attending the conference. Each day brought new friendships and a little less fear, and praise God, the week ended on a high note with me praising God all the way home.

Think about your own recent mountaintop experience with God when you made a new friend, conquered a new goal, led a new group, or learned a new skill. How were you feeling at the end of the day? I’m guessing you felt like you could truly do all things through Christ. You might have signed up for a class or training session or even another conference soon after.

Then the fear slips in, and you think, “I probably shouldn’t do that. We really can’t afford it. I should have waited a few days and asked a few friends if they thought it was a good idea. Why didn’t I pray about it more before paying the deposit? What am I going to do now?”

And with each question comes more doubt and fear until you’re not sure what to do. The “high” you were on is gone, and your energy is sapped. Maybe you’ll just stay home for a day or two and watch Hallmark movies, rest, and think about what you should do. And a day or two becomes a week, maybe two, and life starts to feel like one big confusing mess.

If God called you to do something like lead a group, write a book, or begin a new ministry that feels so far beyond anything you’ve ever accomplished before, you probably heard right. God is in the business of calling us to humanly impossible tasks because He is also in the business of equipping and strengthening and filling us with courage to complete them.

As believers, we all know about Satan’s attacks, yet it can be difficult to call the obstacles on your path to success exactly what they are. The ‘thief’ comes to steal your dream, kill your joy, and destroy any hope of bringing your God-given destiny to life. The obstacles blocking us from fulfilling our purpose are arrows, and the ‘thief’ never stops throwing.

So, what can we do about it? Well, I can tell you what not to do. I was the person who sat for a couple of days, exhausted from the conference, watching Hallmark movies. Then, before I knew it, an entire week had passed without me accomplishing much of anything. I kept telling myself I was still tired and “God was calling me to rest,” but I knew in my heart I was being attacked and was being filled more and more with doubt in my abilities. My confidence was being shaken, and I was failing to fight back as I clearly know how to do.

Thankfully, I met a few godly women at the conference who contacted me to tell me they enjoyed spending time with me and wanted to know me better. Then God sent a beautiful woman to encourage me with prayer and gifted me with confidence-boosting podcasts, worship music, and many verses of scripture that filled me to overflowing.

I am back at work today, happy to have a call on my life, no matter how hard the work can be and how long the hours get. I know without a doubt that God called me and that I can expect it to get hard because the ‘enemy’ doesn’t want me – or you – to accomplish anything for God.

I hope this is speaking to those of you who struggle sometimes, like I do. I can’t imagine anyone feeling confident and strong and courageous every single day of every single week of the year. We are human, and Satan knows where to throw the arrows to hit us when we are most vulnerable. None of us is immune to his attacks.

If you are watching a Hallmark movie today, I hope you enjoy it as you rest. Then I hope you will praise God, pray up, and find encouragement from the godly women in your life so you can stand up and pick up where you left off.

You have a purpose and specific gifts that God gave you to help you accomplish your destiny. Don’t let the enemy keep you down too long. Every day is a new day and a new opportunity to take a step forward in faith knowing as long as you are clinging to Jesus with everything you have, you are guaranteed to be successful in the eyes of God.

Spotify Playlist:
Last Best Year Songs of Gratitude – Spotify Playlist: I’ve been listening a lot lately and have been so encouraged. Give it a try. It just might become your go-to worship listening playlist!

Favorite gift book I am re-reading:
Now Is The Time: 170 Ways to Seize the Moment

Encouraging Prophetic Word to strengthen your faith in the future:
God’s Glory Bomb Has Been Detonated! - Donna Rigney - ElijahStreams

If you want to write a book, I am currently accepting new writing coach clients.

Email me to schedule a FREE 30-minute introductory call. Today is the day to begin your journey toward completion of the book God has placed on your heart!

donna@donnawyland.com

May God bless your days and fill your mind with clarity, confidence, and peace. You were created with a specific set of gifts and destiny. Go make your life what God intended it to be!

Warmly,
Donna