Learn how phrases like “I can’t” create mental blocks. Together, let’s explore Biblical wisdom that encourages us to trust in God’s strength, embrace our challenges, and transform our mindset from limitations to possibilities. We must recognize that, with God, we can achieve all things.
I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me
Have you ever spoken these task-stopping words into existence? “I can’t do it.”
This is where we found ourselves this past 4th of July weekend. Trapped to move physically. My husband and son found themselves on our neighbor’s roof after a tree from our yard hit their house. Not ideal, I know, and it made for a weekend adventure we would not have chosen.
After successfully removing the tree, came what I thought was the easiest part. Getting down from the roof. I steadied the ladder as my husband came down first, then my son.
But as soon as my son saw the small drop (the distance between the ladder and the roof), I saw the anxiety on his face, and he spoke out loud those words. “I can’t do it!” From this point on, he tried to move closer to the ladder and failed. Three times he tried.
Finally, I said to him, “Stop overthinking it and just do it.”
He then mustered the courage to take another step forward and found that he could indeed do it. When he got down, he said I don’t know why I made that so difficult.
I know why; he quickly saw this exit as a challenge he didn’t feel comfortable with, and anxiety set in. Then he decided it wasn’t a task he was willing to take on. Even though he tried, he still couldn’t trust his ability to get down. As soon as he spoke those words, “I can’t do it”, he created a mental block.
Reflecting on Self-Doubt
This got me thinking, how often do I find myself doing the same thing? Instead of saying, I can’t. I have said words like,
-I am just not up to it today. I just want to relax.
-This is not in my wheelhouse. I lack the ability to understand.
-I am not in the position or mentally prepared to do this.
Have you ever found yourself saying similar catch phrases – “I can’t”, “I am not up to it”, “I lack the ability”, or “I am not in the position mentally to do this”?
God Equips Us for Our Challenges
Let me tell you a little secret from Jesus. He tells us life is hard. Not in those exact words, but close. In John 16:33, Jesus says, In the world you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.
Then again, He speaks in James 1:2-4 and tells us to, Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Faithfully following God can pull us out of our comfort zone and can lead us to say those mentally blocking words. We want to trust God, but our willpower to do it inhibits us from moving. Here is the pretty amazing thing: He doesn’t leave us alone to do it on our own. Nope! He equips us for the task, and most importantly, we already recognize this is something we can’t do on our own.
We need Jesus!
Let me ask you something: what is the one thing you know you can’t do on your own? So instead of saying, “I can’t”. Let’s turn that around and say, with God, I can do all things, who strengthens me.
Let’s Pray Together
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for always being present in our lives, even when we can’t see you. Sometimes it is hard for us to understand that we must walk by faith and not by sight. Help us to seek you in all circumstances. Lord, today we ask that you remind us of your ever-working power. Thank you for your faithfulness, even when we fall short in our faithfulness to you. We love you.
In this, we ask in your precious name, Jesus. Amen!
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