Call It What It Is by Kerry Cramton
We as humans have many things in common and one common characteristic that is across the board for every human regardless of where you live, your gender, race, or personality type is that we all deal with fear. Fear is something that debilitates, stops us in our tracks and leaves us questioning the God who created us and many times His goodness altogether.
When we start calling a spade a spade and recognize that fear is from the enemy, the feelings, the “figuring out," the “how’s” in life, the “frustration," is all a tactic the enemy is using to get us off track and confused. He wants us to live irrationally. The enemy wants us to lose sight of our purpose in the distraction and be so focused on our problems that we forget our destiny. FEAR IS A LIAR!! And his name is the enemy.
Through meditating on the word, prayer time, journaling, listening to worship music, positive affirmations, speaking truth, reading the Bible, christian book studies, fellowship, christian podcasts, spending time with Jesus your inner spirit man will be a bubbling well. This will be a storehouse for you when the storms rage.
The enemy is plotting to make you question your faith and where Jesus is calling you. He uses a powerful weapon called condemnation. Let’s shed some light on condemnation. There is a big difference between two words, conviction and condemnation. Condemnation is the shameful feeling we feel, one that says, “God will never accept me for…I am useless because…I will never be perfect enough to be used by God," and thoughts like, “I don’t have what it takes.” Let me tell you a secret, Jesus just needs a vessel, He never intended for you to do the great things on your own. It is His power through you! There is enough grace for every past failure, disobedience, and mistake; yes, even the intentional ones. Our hearts and mind can be tricky, manipulative, and sin can feel like second nature at times. In these moments, we can easily justify anything we want to in the flesh. However, let's take a look at the other word I mentioned “conviction." Conviction is a gift to us from Jesus. When the Holy Spirit convicts us, believe that it comes from a place of love, a place that wants to redeem every part of us. A place that says I want greater for you and I want you to live in peace and freedom from the bondage of the gates of hell (the sin) and the demons that oppress you. The Lord has conquered death (Romans 8:2; Acts 2:24) and “death is no longer a master over Him” (Romans 6:9) it is no longer a master over those who belong to Him.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12 KJV) The enemy is attacking your mind, because if he can get inside your head that is the only power he has to control and manipulate every situation, He will find the weak areas and attack at the most opportune time, and often the least expected moments. In these moments, it is critical that we search for the truth and what Jesus says. This is our true identity! Not what Satan says is our identity, we are no longer of this world, but we are children of God. Let the scripture take root in your heart, pray that Jesus’s words will be inscribed on your heart. You will then have spiritual armour to defeat the enemy’s schemes.
“I am chosen, not forsaken, I am who You say I am.” When we start striving for our destiny it can be intimidating. Humble beginnings never seem as appealing as the final outcome. Yet, it is a starting place, it is the place we put one foot in front of the other. We trust, have hope, and faith that every action we take towards growing our relationship with Christ is not forgotten. We take these steps to glorify Him. He is watching our heart, our motives, our character. He is offering grace for every single day and He knows just what we need to fulfill the life He has called us to. We are powerless without Him. He will be our source of strength, He will redeem those weak spots in our soul and fill them up with His power, love, and self-control. He is looking for an obedient heart that is willing to surrender to Him. One who says “Lord I’m done trying to be the captain of my own ship, use me as you see fit." One who seeks to be more like Jesus. Servant-minded, full of grace, love, and disciplined to live a life for Jesus. He never expected you to be qualified for where he is calling you, he just wants a willing heart so that He can qualify you for more than you ever imagined possible. He wants the glory for the amazing work in your life. Jesus is not looking for perfection, if He was there would be no need for a Savior. He works through the imperfections and calls us “fearfully and wonderfully made.”(Psalm 139:14) These testimonies give others hope. Hope to keep going, that greater things are ahead, and eternity is worth the struggle. After all what would a miracle be without the struggle.
Don’t be the death of a movement that starts with you being responsible for you. Our lives affect more people than we realize, when we step into our destiny others step into their destiny. It is contagious, when you see the good in people they see it in themselves. When we speak life over our situations and ourselves the miraculous starts happening. The dormant tree starts to bloom and produce fruit. When we offer grace to others and to ourselves, evil cannot take root, offenses can no longer thrive, our hearts become clean and purified by the grace and love of Jesus. Then His light shines through us and others see the Jesus that did a work in us. Hope makes others wonder, could this Jesus, who did a work in them, do a work in me? Belief starts to spread and that this is exactly the living water that my soul so deeply craves. Not the approval of others, not the likes, and thousands of friends on social media; but the love of Jesus that covers all sin, that sees my weakness and says “but let me show you what I can do through you."
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) Spiritual resilience takes root and what Jesus put deep inside us can never be smothered. It is flame that once fanned can turn into a wildfire. When we realize Jesus’s love for us, even through our faults and everything that He knows about us, and He still calls us HIS, what a beautiful gift.. He says he will leave the 99 for 1 lost sheep. (Luke 15:4) He sees our faults and welcome us with open arms, loves us completely and unconditionally, I don't know about you, but that brings my soul and spirit peace. He collects every tear and numbers the hair on your head. (Psalm 56:8, Matthew 10:30) This tells me that our God is a God of details and He cares about you. Step out in faith and trust Him to carry you through the storms in your life. He cares for you!
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you” declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Make sure to check out Kerry's podcast called "Latter Reign," where she shares the Word of God in a fresh, simplistic style that will encourage, challenge and inspire you to go deeper in your walk with God. Her podcast can be found on iTunes.