Complaints. Delays. Lack of resources.
Opposition frustrates me.
It’s bad enough to have opposition from outside influences, the things beyond my control. But the really aggravating struggle is what comes from within me. So many times I feel overwhelmed by the task ahead of me and I doubt I’m the right person.
Like a snake charmer,
doubt woos the serpent of insecurity
out of its basket to hiss lies.
(Care to tweet?)
For the record: I already KNOW all the reasons why I’m not the right person for the job!
By faith, I slam the lid on the serpent’s basket and silence those lies with the truth of God’s Word. There’s such power in speaking scripture over a situation, and I do it on a regular basis.
But there’s also great power in the personal touch of a friend. Whether it’s a chat over coffee, an encouraging email, a phone call (thanks, Di!) or a comment on a post, God so very often uses friends to encourage me, including many of you!
I have a great opportunity to pay it forward this weekend. I’m traveling to Belize with some friends on a mission scouting trip. We’ll be meeting with a couple of ministry teams there to see how we can encourage them personally and support their ministries.
Laundry day for Bill!
Their tasks aren’t easy. The needs are great and the resources are limited. They’re far away from family and friends. It’s easy to become discouraged, even when you’re doing the work the Lord called you to do.
As I’ve prayed for our trip, the Lord brought to mind my dad’s favorite Old Testament hero, Nehemiah.
He faced a daunting task: rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. Not only did he have great needs and limited resources, Nehemiah also had people who frustrated and opposed him at every stage of the project.
I love Nehemiah’s confession:
They were all trying to frighten us, thinking,
“Their hands will get too weak for the work, and
it will not be completed.”
[But I prayed,] “Now strengthen my hands.”
~Neh 6:9 (NIV)
Strengthen my hands.
He didn’t ask God to remove the obstacles or wipe out their adversaries, He asked for strength to keep doing his job.
I believe God has limitless ways of strengthening our hands, and one way He does it is by bringing people into our lives. Think about some of the people He’s brought across your path. It’s nothing short of amazing!
We have so many opportunities to bless and encourage and speak life into each other; we just need to be sensitive to them.
I’m so grateful for the ways you all strengthen my hands each week. Now my friends and I hope to strengthen the hands of our friends in Belize. We don’t know the specific frustrations they face, but we’ll learn about their projects and needs, and be a part of their ministries as God leads us.
Please pray that we’ll refresh and encourage them to press on!
Susan, I loved this post! If I started listing people, I’d leave someone out, I’m sure. I know all about frustrations. You’re right, God brings people into our lives to strengthen our hands. For me, It’s you, Nan, Vonda, Edie and my friend Suzie. I’m sure there are others though. Thank you so much! Love you!
Will be praying for the Belize team, and am thanking YOU for being a part of the Bethany Hall Team!.xoxo
How exciting to go to Belize and encourage those in ministry who are far away from home. My cousin and her husband are missionaries in Belize. Their ministry is Oasis Ministry and I think they are located in Belmopan. They help build homes for the people, have a school, and church.
I look forward to reading about your trip!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
Prayers for your trip, Susan! What am amazing opportunity! And thanks for the reminders to ask for strength and be an encouragement to others. I just finished writing about the pain of community, so this is so very good–to focus on blessing others. A sure way to be lifted from discouragement.
Good Morning, I am up here in the west coast at 5 a.m. I guess it is the excitement about Belize & His plan for us there, I know there is something I or we can do. I just know in my heart that this will be a fruitful trip. This is not a vacation & for sure it is not about “ME” but it is about HIM, there is always an excitement in my heart when there is the unknown… here is my daily verse: Eph 3:20-21, how can you not be excited about this verse!! See ya soon.
I am so excied to have found your website! This is a wonderful devotional and I know through you total surrender to God and letting the Holy Spirt guide you your trip will bring glory to Him and great things will come from it! Blessings~Juliana
I’ve been praying for you and your Belize team, Susan. Can’t wait to hear how God orchestrates things!
Blessings!
~Anna
Awesome connection to Nehemiah Susan! I love your insight and encouragement.
May we all stop listening to talking serpents, right?!
Have an awesome trip,
Much love to you sister,
Hester,
Oh goodness….I love these thoughts! YOU have been a great encourager to me and I am so thankful for our friendship….even though we are many miles apart!!
I am praying for your mission trip and KNOW that God is using you to strengthen and empower others….(like me!)
Love you, my friend!!!!
It’s been ages since I studied Nehemiah – had totally forgotten that verse. Thanks for bringing it to mind as it’s the perfect prayer in response to struggles, isn’t it? Safe travels!
Helping to slam that lid shut with the power of prayer, my friend! I look forward to learning of all the ways your team ministered to others in the name of Christ. Blessings to you!!!!
(Standing ovation!) Excellent Blog! Excellent message!
Praying for you as you leave tomorrow. You are an amazing woman and because you know you are not fully qualified for the job makes you the perfect person for the job. Because now it is not you, but He who is working through you!
So crazy about you, Susan! You have a special place in my heart!
Thanks, everybody! Busy day, but a really good one. My AZ friends are flying to ATL on the red-eye and I’ll meet them early tomorrow morning. We feel your prayers are are SO appreciative!
I’ll have a short prayer on Monday, then pics and reflections on Wednesday. See you next week!
I love Nehemiah as well! (Great minds just think alike, don’t they?) I will be praying for your trip, dear cousin and friend. I was encouraged by your post this morning. I would not be able to list all of those who have helped stand by me – used by God to strengthen my hands. Praying for your trip and those you will meet. I can’t wait to hear how God moves in you and through you this weekend!
Susan I’m praying for you and your group on your trip! It is going to be an awesome time to spend talking and listening to God and what He wants you to do! I know that you are going to touch so many lives and show so many people how much He loves them! So excited to hear all about it when you come back!
Beautiful post, my dear encouraging and God-sent friend!! And I so loved the hand holding photo. You are a treasure!! Praying for your journey!!!
Hi Susan, I read this last night on my tablet and since I don’t like not having a real keyboard waited til this a.m. to pop into comments. It’s just as wonderful reading it again in the morning. I LOVE your scripture reference to Nehemiah. Either I’ve never read that particular verse or it’s been so long, I’d forgotten it.What an incredible picture! God’s mercy is new every morning and I know he will strengthen your hands as you do his “impossible-to-us” work. I’ll be praying for your trip, your safety, and sensitivity to His spirit. Looking forward to your reflections and pictures! Have a wonderful time!
In His service,
Jeannette
Praying for you and your trip right now. And yes, I know about that slimy serpent! The God of the universe is our Father. Why do we even tilt our heads to hear his voice?
You’re right, the answer is to answer him with the Truth of God’s Word!
Blessings, sweet friend…