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Gladys Childs

Overcoming Self-Doubt: Shifting from 'I Am' to the Great 'I AM'


Pencil with word "faith" erasing the word "doubt

I felt as if I was standing on the edge of a cliff. Not sure where to go or how to get the job done. I was struggling to overcome self-doubt. Have you ever felt like the weight of a task was too heavy for your shoulders? Like you weren't strong enough, smart enough, or equipped enough to carry it? In these moments, we often focus on our inadequacies, and self-doubt looms large -- forgetting that the One who calls us is more than enough. When you focus on the storm within, you lose sight of the Savior who calms the storm. Moses, the man chosen by God to lead an entire nation out of slavery, found himself in this very position. His story teaches us a powerful lesson about where our focus should lie.


In Exodus 4:10-18, Moses faces a big decision. God has asked him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, but Moses feels unsure about this leadership position. He tells God, "Oh, my Lord, I am not good with words... I am not a good speaker" (v. 10). Instead of accepting the task, Moses keeps thinking about his own limitations, always saying, "I am." When we focus on our 'I am,' we forget about the Great 'I AM' who is with us.


Many of us can relate to Moses' situation. When we're up against a challenge, our first reaction is often to doubt ourselves. We start thinking, "I'm not skilled enough. I'm not confident enough. I'm not the right person for this." Our fears and insecurities take over, making us feel like the mission's success depends entirely on us.


But here's a transformative truth: The weight of your calling isn't meant to rest on your shoulders; it's meant to rest in God's hands. God's response to Moses shifts the focus: "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?" (v. 11). God is reminding Moses—and us—that He is the Creator, the one who shapes our abilities and equips us for His purposes. It's not about what you can do; it's about what God can do through you.


God doesn't just remind Moses of His power; He also makes a promise: "Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak" (v. 12). When God calls you, He doesn't just point the way; He walks with you, and His presence is your greatest qualification. Moses derived strength from his abilities and the God who promised to be with him.


Yet, despite this assurance, Moses continues to focus on his inadequacies, pleading with God to send someone else (v. 13). This plea reveals a deep-seated fear—a fear that many of us know all too well. Even when God reassures us of His presence, we often cling to our insecurities as if they have the final say. When you say, 'I am not enough,' God whispers back, 'But I AM.' 


In these moments of doubt, we need to lift our eyes from ourselves and fix them on the truly capable One. Moses eventually obeys, but with the help of Aaron as his spokesperson, a reminder that God's plan will unfold, even when our faith wavers.


This passage challenges us to evaluate where our focus lies. Are we more concerned with our limitations, or are we trusting in the Great I AM, who promises to be with us and empower us for every task He calls us to?


Reflection:

  • What tasks or callings in your life feel too big for you? Are you focusing on your limitations instead of God's power?

  • How can you shift your focus from self-doubt ("I am") to trusting God -- the Great "I AM" today?


Prayer:

Lord, I admit that I often let my doubts overshadow Your promises. Help me to see beyond my limitations and trust fully in Your strength. May I shift my focus from my "I am" to Your great "I AM," and walk confidently in the path You have set before me. Amen.


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Are you struggling to live into the fullness of love, joy, peace, and patience? Learn how to overcome the barriers holding you back from living out the fruit of the spirit and grow in your relationship with God. Check out my book Busting Barriers: Overcome Emptiness & Unleash Fruitful Living.

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