The Voice

Do you ever have those days that you hear that "voice"? You know the one I'm talking about. It says stuff like:

"You're not good enough..."

"You're weak and incapable of succeeding..."

"Why would God want to use you..."

"If they only knew, they would reject you right away!"

"You are a failure..."

If you haven't, then great. Stop reading now because this isn't for you. It is, however, for me. 

Recently I have been bombarded with negative thoughts. I mean really...it has been extremely hard to hold my head up. 

And then this happened. As I was listening for the umpteenth time to that "voice" tell me why I would fail in ministry because I wasn't good enough...this thought came to mind. Agree. 

So, I did. 

I replied, "you know, you're absolutely right. I'm not good enough. In fact, I'm never going to be good enough. That's why I need Jesus. He is more than good enough for every area of my life. He is more than sufficient to cover all of my sins, all of my insufficiencies, all of the failures not only for today, but for all of my tomorrows too."

Do you know what I heard next?

Absolutely nothing!

When the accuser starts doing his thing, allow Jesus to do His. He is more than enough!

©Terri Milton 2016

Detour!

During a recent weekend, I was confronted with nine detours. Count them! NINE! I would start out going one way and then have to either turn around or make a small change in my plans. I am so glad I usually am running early or I would have been majorly late. 

It wasn't until Monday when I was talking to my husband Doug about how ridiculous the weekend was that this thought hit my mind: "God, are you trying to teach me something? Is there something I need to learn from this?" Do you know what I heard? Nada...zip...absolutely nothing. So I waited. 

On Wednesday, I went to Freedom class at my church. Awesome teaching by Pastor Kristen, by the way. Freedom in Parenting. 

While listening to her teach, she said something that answered my earlier question. Your plans may change but God's promises never do. Let me repeat that and add a word. Your plans may change but God's promises and purpose never changes. 

I cannot count the number of times in my life that my plans...my big plans...have had to be placed aside. Some of life's detours have been sweet and wonderful...meeting and marrying Doug...having my kids...becoming a Grammy. Others have been bittersweet and yet others...I don't want to ever see that path again. 

But through them all...the good and the bad...God remains the same. He tells me that He knows the plans He has for me...that He is faithful to complete the work He started...that He loves me with an everlasting love. He whispers in my ear and gives me strength to soar...provides manna from heaven and water from the rock. He promises that He will never leave me...that He is with me always. And when I have no words...He understands the groans of my heart and sends comfort. 

My plans will change. There will be detours that will take me to new adventures...and at times down hard roads...and there will be a day that my final detour in this life will take me directly to the Throne of the One who sacrificed His life for me...my Jesus. 

God's promises are perfect. His purpose is pure. Someday when I stand before Him, it will be complete.