Get out of your own way
My husband Kenya and I were laughing and talking early this morning about when we began dating in the late 90s. We have been married for 20 years and have four children together—one of which is in college now—and it’s always fun to look back and reflect.
At the start of our relationship, neither of us could have known we would get this far. In fact, Kenya was a little hesitant about making me his girlfriend.
I didn’t know this back then, but later down the road he told me that, in the beginning, when he first met me, although he liked me a lot, he thought I was a bit too young to date. At the time, he was 22 and I was only 18. That was a four-year age gap. In his mind that was a lot of years. Too many for his liking.
In reality, however, it wasn’t really that big a deal.
According to him, the only thing that kept him from walking away altogether was the fact that I was already a sophomore in college, despite being in my teens. Kenya would have refused to date me if I were still in high school he says. But since I was a college girl, it made him feel somewhat better about the age difference.
Isn’t it funny how we build walls, create our own roadblocks, barriers, and restrictive rules that have the potential to get in the way of our blessings? Sometimes, we make mountains out of molehills and convince ourselves that we’re facing huge obstacles, when, in fact, we only perceive things that way.
We need to get out of our own way.
The problem isn’t that major. The challenge isn’t that great. The opposition isn’t that strong. The hurdle isn’t that high. The gap isn’t that wide. The chances are not that slim. We only believe they are. So we stress ourselves out unnecessarily and worry needlessly instead of trusting God’s plan.
“If our hope is built on faulty PREMISES, we cannot believe God’s PROMISES. A foundation of fear, doubt and worry will kill your faith in hard times. You must build your hope upon the word of God! ”
We entertain doubt and dismiss the promises of God because they seem unlikely to happen.
That’s why Sarah laughed in disbelief in Genesis 18:12 when God promised that she would give birth to a son.
That’s why Gideon asked God for a bunch of confirming signs in Judges 6 when the Lord said he would lead the Israelites to victory over the seemingly unbeatable Midianites.
That’s why Moses kept arguing with God in Exodus 4 and coming up with all kinds of excuses as to why he was unfit to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian servitude.
In every case mentioned, they needed to get out of their own way. And when they finally did, each of these individuals were successful in carrying out the will of God. The Lord was faithful to fulfill His promises. He had already equipped them. They were the chosen ones, despite how they saw the situation.
This was true in Esther’s case, too. There is no way anyone would have believed that this orphaned Jewish girl would become the queen of Persia, or that God would use voice to save the Jewish people from annihilation. She certainly didn’t believe it!
But thank God for her faith-filled cousin Mordecai. He pushed Esther out of her own way when she felt too fearful to go to the king and make an appeal for her people. In Esther 4:14, Mordecai said, “And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?"
Friend, perhaps it’s time for you to shift your perspective as well. Open your eyes and see God in your situation. What if He allowed you to be in this position for such a time as this? For such a moment as this? For such a breakthrough as this? For such a demonstration of His power as this?
But before you can see His hand move on your behalf, you have to get out of your own way. Stop obsessing over the details. Don’t frustrate yourself focusing on what you thought, hoped or wished it would be like. God’s plans are not like yours.
No matter what stands in your way, you know we serve a God who knocks down walls; opens doors; makes ways; delivers the bound; mends the broken; gives strength to the weak; increases those who are lacking; heals the sick; and causes His people to always triumph.
Get out of your own way. Get out of yourself. Get out of your own thoughts. Get out of our comfort zone. Break outside that small box. Challenge yourself to trust God as He stretches you. Say no to complacency, small-minded thinking and negativity.
Believe that you are chosen for this hour, anointed for this season and appointed for this time. There are victories with your name on them. There are assignments and breakthroughs designated just for you. There are harvests that have sprung up from the seeds you’ve planted in good soil. Go get what’s yours.
So then, how do you get out of your own way? That’s easy. You begin trusting God’s way and believing that, no matter what it looks like, there is absolutely nothing that can prevent God from doing what He wants to do. You are not too old; too young; too sick; too broke; too uneducated; too inexperienced; too damaged; too mentally confused; or too messed up to see God move in your favor.
There’s a reason for that, which is what I’m stirring into your cup of inspiration. The answer to why your limitations don’t limit God is found in Genesis 18:14 where God said to Abraham, in the middle of his battle with doubt over the promise, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, be encouraged because there is no obstacle that can block God from carrying out His sovereign will. There is nothing He can’t do. Don’t fret, doubt, fear, worry, or laugh in disbelief.
Instead, move on out of the way so you can see God do what only He can do.
Now let’s pray.
God, I don’t see how you will make a way, fix things, or fulfill Your promises. Yet, I believe You are able and You will do it. As I wait, I do not want to be my own biggest hindrance by allowing doubt, fear and worry to rule me. Today, I make the choice to move out of my own way and trust You to have Your way. No matter what it looks like, I believe I will see You do the impossible. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
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