Believing in People: Inspire
Believers...those wonderful "someones" who not only inspire us to dream but also ignite the courage to turn those dreams into realities. We have to appreciate the special folks who say "Why not?" instead of "Why?" and "Have fun!" instead of "Be careful!"
We all have ideas that for various reasons we may hesitate to act upon. Those people who come alongside us and prompt us to take a chance, to dream a little bigger, to take that first step out of our comfort zone... are priceless.
There are always things that make new goals or challenges look daunting; there are always reasons "not to," always obstacles that could defeat us if we "listen to reason," to the negative, the fearful (or the jealous) voices around us or, worse, to the critical ones within.
Who hasn't tried and failed before? We're so quick to remember those failures, to focus on our weaknesses and shortcomings. We have a willing accomplice in this negative task, as Satan's big goal is to keep us reminded of our failures so that we stay defeated and discouraged.
God, on the other hand, is so ready and quick to forget the failures of the past and inspire us to focus on the possibilities of the future.
Jesus did that with the woman at the well in John 4, the woman who had five failed marriages and was now living with a guy to whom she wan't married.
He did it with the woman in John 8 who had been caught in adultery. The religious leaders were ready to stone her but Jesus reminded them that they weren't perfect either. Instead of condemning her for the "sin" in her life, He simply called her to put it behind her. In lieu of judgment, a fresh start....how inspiring!
He did it with Peter in John 21. Imagine how unworthy and ashamed Peter had to have been feeling after those dark moments where, when push came to shove, he'd failed at loyalty, friendship, and even the courage of conviction as he denied and abandoned the Lord to whom he'd sworn such devotion.
Thankfully, just as failure is something everyone has experienced, so is success. Everyone has done something right before and remembering our victories is one of the best confidence boosters there is.
In 1 Samuel 17, while the Israelite army fled in fear of Goliath, a young shepherd had the courage to take him on. Remembering former victories, David was fearless instead of terrified about confronting this formidable enemy.
Sometimes we just need to be reminded... by someone who knows, someone who was there (or maybe by a new friend who cares enough ask to the right questions) ... of who we have been and what we have done. We need to be reminded of our strengths and of the victories we have already won. Just the reminder often gives us the very thing we need to move forward with renewed hope, courage and confidence.
Courtesy of one of my mother's old (as in December 1986 OLD!) Redbook magazines, here's a sweet little poem that so perfectly illustrates what I've been trying to say.
Another way to inspire courage, particularly in a person whose confidence has been crushed by some mistake or failure, is to share some of our own less than stellar moments. We like others to see us at our best, but sometimes being authentic enough to allow a peek at our worst is a lot more inspirational. Our "success stories" may cause people to admire us, but if our goal is to inspire, the ones about how we messed up much more likely to help someone who feels like a lost cause realize maybe they aren't so hopeless after all.
We can also inspire others to try... or try again... just by letting them know we are on their team, that we will stay by their side and cheer them on along the way. I remember growing up with my sister, playing a game in which Dad would hide behind some door along the hallway and we would tremble down the hall dreading, but also looking forward to, his jumping out and scaring us. (For some reason, this was fun!)
In those childhood hallway adventures, I was always a little braver if Karen was by my side versus going down that hall alone. As adults, in the "hallway adventures" and experiences that are exciting and a little scary at the same time, it's the same way. We are always stronger with an ally at our side.
More than anything, when it comes to inspiring confidence and courage, nothing beats knowing that God is in the picture.
David remembered his victories but more importantly remembered the unfailing strength behind those victories.
If the successes in my past were all about me, I'd be in trouble! What if the "me" of the past was stronger, more capable, or luckier than the "me" of today?
We change, but God never does. So, while I can't necessarily count on MY being, today, up to a challenge for which I might have been well equipped yesterday, I CAN count on God's capabilities being the same.
Knowing the power behind his past victories was the very same power present in his current challenge worked for David.
It's also the strategy Moses used for inspiring confidence and courage to God's people who were about to move in and conquer their promised land.
Feeling the presence of God gives us courage beyond any that we can find within ourselves.
Whether to encourage the daunted to dream for the first time or the disappointed to dream again, giving
a recollection of past successes
a revelation of struggles overcome
a ready alliance
a reminder of the presence of God
are all great ways that Believers INSPIRE…. what a gift!
Blessings until next time, Kim