Several years ago, I purchased tickets to a circus traveling through town. I imagined prancing horses and graceful women. Tightrope walkers and fragile towers of rope and wire. Gymnastic feats and side-splitting laughter.
Excited to share the experience with my two young children, I filled their minds with tales of daring stunts and amazing animals. When the day finally arrived, I shuffled my children through the narrow hallway of a second-rate performance venue. The nonexistent crowd barely filled the auditorium as the ring master marched confidently toward the middle of the arena.
His accent false and thick, the young man announced one act after another–each a poor imitation of those I’d seen as a girl during an awe inspiring Barnum and Bailey performance.

[bbctt tweet="Sometimes I feel like an imitation circus performer; an imposter trying to be more than I am or ever could be.#identityinChrist#ourhopeissecure."]

Sometimes I, too, feel like an imitation circus performer; an imposter trying to be more than I am or ever could be. Unsure of myself, I stumble along convinced that what God is asking of me extends beyond my own abilities.
Loving my husband well? I make mistakes. I grumble. I speak words that hurt his heart.
Parenting perfectly? I’m gentle when I need to be stern. I lose my temper when I need patience. Forgetting to release my children to His care, I fret and worry.

[bbctt tweet="I doubt myself, placing too much emphasis on my inability and not enough on His capability.#heisable#strenghtinChrist ."]

Stepping boldly into a new calling? I doubt myself, placing too much emphasis on my inability and not enough on His capability. I envision people scoffing at my debacle of a self-created circus.
Who does she think she is?
What can she possibly do in her small life for the kingdom?
She can’t even manage the simple things. 
Maybe you struggle with the words of the inner critic or the enemy has initiated an abusive assault. These destructive thoughts are lies designed to keep God’s daughters from doing our kingdom assignments. Instead of great pretenders, we are partaker’s of the promise and participants in heaven-appointed work.

[bbctt tweet="Preoccupation with sin,failure,and doubt creates a roadblock to the joy of experiencing God's best in our lives.#joystealers#midweekmotivation."]

Preoccupation with sin, failure, and doubt creates a roadblock to the joy of truly experiencing God’s best in our lives and limits our willingness to allow Him to work through us.
How are we to move beyond the comfort zone and lean into that which we are called? We reclaim our identity, assert holy authority, and pray for Christ to use us according to His will.
The following verses have been helpful to me during some of those times when I’ve most doubted I could fulfill the calling He’s placed in my life and heart. I pray they encourage you, as well.

 

                                           Reclaim Your Identity                                                                                                     

As a child of Christ, your calling flows from and through Him.  Where there is purpose, there is provision.

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Assert Holy Authority

Kingdom work isn’t done out of personal ambition, it’s done for His glory.

Luke 10:19-20 (MSG) “See what I’ve given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—that’s the agenda for rejoicing.”
James 4:7 (MSG) “So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time.”

Pray 

Our strength comes through words uttered on our knees.
Psalm 57:2 “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.”
2 Timothy 1:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

Peace and grace,
Tammy
 
I often link up with the following: LMMLinkup, Porch Stories, Tea and Word Tuesday, Grace and Truth Blogger Voices Network, Anchored Abode, Worth Beyond Rubies Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, Soaring With Him, Purposeful Faith, Encouraging Word Wednesday, Sitting Among Friends, Imparting Grace, Destination Inspiration, Tune in Thursday, Heart Encouragement, Faith and Friends, Faith on Fire, Dance with Jesus   Anchored Abode