Devotional

In Touch Daily Devotional—by Dr. Charles Stanley
January 17, 2007
Failing to Accomplish God’s Plan
Matthew 10:17-31
Through the Holy Spirit’s guidance and wisdom, we are capable of achieving the work that the Lord desires for us to accomplish.
But fear can cause us to stumble and fail. For example, fear of criticism will often make us drag our feet and cause us to worry about others’ opinions. Instead, we should be placing a priority on pleasing God.
Fear of making mistakes may prevent us from either starting a project or changing our behavior. As believers, we must remember that we live the Christian life by depending on God, who promises to provide us with our needs as we obediently follow Him.
Fear of having our weaknesses exposed causes us to worry about our appearance, which leads to disobedience. It’s important to stay in God’s Word so we can gain a biblical perspective on our fears and think accurately and positively about the future.
Doubt is another reason for failure. Many of us have trouble believing in our God-given abilities, or we question whether we deserve the Lord’s plans for our lives. The antidote to doubt is increased trust in God, which we can gain by meditating on His characteristics and His promises.
God expects us to operate according to His timetable, not our own. So watch out for procrastination, which can derail success. It may be the result of a rebellious spirit which does not want to be told what to do, even by the Lord.
God promises victory through Jesus Christ. What’s holding you back?