Do you tell yourself there’s a thing you can’t do? What is it, and why is it an issue?

There’s a concept out there called “self-limiting beliefs.” You can take a look at what that’s about here. The term crops up in personal growth or self-help literature. Basically, self-limiting beliefs are assumptions or perceptions that you’ve got about yourself and about the way the world works. These assumptions are “self-limiting” because in some way they’re holding you back from achieving what you are capable of. It’s that thing you can’t do. Or “things,” perhaps.

I tend to be mildly skeptical of too much motivational rah-rah stuff. Usually it’s because I’m seldom served steak with the sizzle. There are some folks out there who have done a great job of giving me good content. I’m a huge Zig Ziglar fan … if I look out my office window, I can see the old YWCA where he met his wife. Zig’s teachings are sound, and I’ve come to believe over the years he’s the real deal. I am also fond of Brian Tracy and Jim Rohn.

I’ve listened to and read these guys. They’ve often been helpful. Still, there is sometimes a gap between what I should be capable of and what I’m actually doing. I, in Christ, want to be the very best I can be.

How do I explain that thing I can’t do?

You’ve most likely heard me say that the reason I’m still alive – and the reason you’re still alive – is that you haven’t accomplished what God put you here to do.

I’m 65. I should know that by now, don’t you think?

I never thought of “building a career.” I’m not interested in climbing some ladder. Whatever assignment the Lord had me in, then that’s what I wanted to be about.

But that thing I can’t do? It’s always out there.

I might be talking to myself here, but I also hope I’m talking to you. I’m wondering if, in your own life, there is a thing you can’t do. That one thing – or maybe things – that are just out of your reach.

If I were giving out assignments, I’d have you name just one thing you can’t do, and then why you can’t do it. That could be very revealing.

I thought about sharing mine. I decided it’s none of your business. *snort*.

With all that as background, let me give you something to ponder.

Ancient script says, in Ephesians 3:20-21, ”Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

I mean. Dad-GUM.

Unpack that.

• Imagine the future God has for you.
• Chances are your God is too small.
• There is infinitely more that He wants to give you than you could even ask for.
• God knows your motives and desires. But even those deepest desires don’t meet the depths of that “immeasurably more.”

Don’t misunderstand. This isn’t some genie-in-a-bottle, name-it-and-claim-it bogus teaching. But there’s a lot going on here, and it should encourage us greatly.

What’s the call for us to do to deal with that thing you can’t do? Here are six.

1. Ask God to show you the bigger plan. Not just what’s happening now, or what has you bogged down. Go big.
2. Acknowledge He does have a plan. He isn’t sitting around, scratching His head, trying to figure out what to do with you.
3. Ask, seek, find. Duh.
4. Is there anything keeping you from experiencing God’s joy? Here’s what’ll fix that: your imagination can’t comprehend what He is capable of doing. That’s some joy giving right there.
5. Look at that scripture again. Your two key words? Able and accomplish. Most of us grasp the “able” part. Of course He’s able to do anything. But we get tangled up with the “accomplish” part. That’s where we fail. Well, pilgrim, if He’s able, He can accomplish whatever it is in our lives that will bring honor to Him.
6. This is all about “abiding.” He works within. The power of God resides in you. Measure your hopes and dreams against that.

Want some more? Check out 2 Corinthians 9:8:

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

That thing you can’t do? Check this out:

He does great things in us so that He can be glorified. How do your plans bring Him glory? Because if they are of Him, then that thing you can’t do has already been done. You just have to embrace it and live it.

This sounds sort of preachy, and that’s not my intent. Bottom line: Don’t talk yourself out of doing something you should do. In Him, you are good enough.

As God sent Jesus, ask Him to send you. That thing you can’t do will be conquered. Don’t be held back by small dreams. Ask God to give you a glimpse of His plans for you.

Talk later!

Waiting is hard work. Right now, I’m waiting to emerge from a food coma from yesterday. Happy day after Thanksgiving, y’all!

I’ll be brief today.

No one should know me better than me, right?

I mean, I’ve lived with myself for 64 years. Have mercy.

Lately, though, in those rare lucid moments of self-awareness, I’ve been struck with realizing just how little I do know. Do you ever surprise yourself by your own thoughts or actions? Do you wonder, dang, where did that come from? Part of that surprise might also include being overcome with unexpected feelings.

This isn’t to say that you are at the whim of your emotions, It might mean, though, that your emotions are gripping you, and not in a good way. Especially when they cloud your judgment, or cause you to behave in a way that feels alien to you. I’ll wager that this is nothing new. Few of us are totally stoic. Waiting is hard work, and waiting on your emotions to settle is especially challenging.

Our decisions are made with a combination of logic and feelings. Neither is bad, in and of itself.

It’s just when we get out of balance that we have problems. Or, perhaps we act on bad information, or our gut feeling misleads us horribly. When that happens – and it will – our tendency is to think we failed. Failed at a decision, failed at an attitude, or maybe even failed at life (as in, “I’m a failure,” which is totally bogus. As Zig Ziglar said, “Failure is an event, not a person.”)

So you find yourself treading water, waiting for something. Waiting is hard work. You just want some direction, some relief.

Fortunately, God knows the exact place where you are in life. He understands intimately what you are going through. That may be a hard truth to internalize, but that’s where faith comes in. He not only knows what you’re going through, but he understands why you’re going through it. He blesses you with patience, love, and stamina to handle everything coming your way.

Your job is to stand fast. You don’t have to really do anything.

You may have to wait to see what he’s up to, but that’s part of the package. Make no mistake – waiting is hard work. He doesn’t expect you to know “how” you’re going to get through whatever it is you’re facing, even if you’d classify it as pain and suffering. The best counsel I’ve heard is to just keep moving in the direction that seems best to you. Do the next right thing.

Wherever you go, God’s there. If it doesn’t feel like it’s over, it’s not.