I Won't Let Them Hold Me Back!

We all have goals we want to accomplish, but what happens when God gives us an assignment. Maybe something you don’t even know how you’re going to achieve? What happens when God wants you to quit your well paying job or leave your BFF? When he asks you to move or give someone money? Will you do it? You want to follow God and be obedient and sometimes that causes some “radical” decisions. Jesus was far from normal, he was radical! Do not expect for your walk to be super chill all of the time.

About a year and a half ago God told me I had to start saving money. Six months later he told me I needed to quit my job. I had no other direction. I ended up just putting in my two weeks, when God gave me the go ahead. It was a relief because it was a toxic job, but it scared me because I had to leave my well paying job that had amazing benefits. I was in love with it. How was I going to pay my bills and what about my health insurance? I didn’t have a full time job waiting. There were so many questions! The only answer I had was “ok God, I will obey. I don’t know what you have for me but I trust you.” Some people were happy because I was leaving, but on the other hand many were asking “well what are you going to do about this? Why don’t you wait? Do you have another job? That isn’t wise” etc.

I didn’t have any other answers, but I knew God would take care of it. In that time I met myself, a more healed version of me; physically & mentally. I was able to develop myself to a spiritual level I have never been at before. I met some of the most amazing people that helped me grow and love myself again. They were able to pull the hidden amazing Stephanie back out.

In that time there were bills being paid from what I saved and some medical bills cancelled. WHAT?! Praise the Lord. I had an incurable disease that was CURED [by a miracle of God and the doctors could not understand it] ! I was a vessel, for God, to help keep a few people on this earth. I would have never met them or understood the promptings to call or show up for them. If I would have listened to some people and their doubts, I would have gotten sicker and other things could have happened.

Let me tell you, your obedience comes with so much more than just the initial action. The breakthroughs of others and yours come with it. We do things to advance his Kingdom. We won’t understand in the moment, but sometimes God allows us to see the outcome of those choices.

Stop constantly telling your dreams to people that have positivity and faith the size of a speck of dust. It may be time to change your circle, if they constantly want you to settle. We are not here to be complacent. We have to take an audit of who is around us and who we can tell stuff to. When your dream is in the beginning stages, you want to keep it to 1-3 people max. Pray about who they should be! The best way for your dream to get squandered is when you’re just starting.

When you hear from God you should make sure that what you hear matches with the Bible, you can fast, and take some time to get confirmation on it. This does not mean go out to everybody and their momma... “Hey did God tell you if I should do this?” You are manipulating the situation. Praying for God to send you confirmation. You will see people bringing things up that you prayed about. The pastor will talk about it in church and your Bible readings will align with it. There are so many ways you can get confirmation. You can also seek wise counsel (from someone that has been through this, a counselor, a pastor, or a mentor).

If your faith is not at where you want it to be to make this move, then this is the perfect time to start strengthening your relationship with God. Spend more time with him and people that can teach you how to grow your faith. When I made that initial decision it wasn’t where my faith is now! I needed that leap of faith to be able to build the foundation of what my faith is now. I am able to trust God a lot more in things, because I know that he has a better plan than I could ever imagine.

God gives us all different assignments. Your faith may be stronger than others and that's why he needs you to do it or this is an opportunity for you to grow your faith. There will be teachers, pastors, family, friends, and co-workers that can have good or bad intentions on why they may deter you from accomplishing the task God is giving you. At the end of the day who are you trying to please them or God? HEART CHECK: If you’re always pleasing humans, that means you are idolizing them before God.

Check your motives on why you are wanting to fulfill whatever is on your mind. "Is it to prosper the Kingdom or only prosper your pockets?" (said by Anne Juliette) God will give you assignments that may not make sense to others, but you have to be willing to trust him.

I’m closing this out with a bit of Bible to give you some perspective. Even Jesus, had his family trying to slow him down or stop him from fulfilling his assignment. He had to continue to do what God told him. Obedience is thicker than blood!!

Matthew 12:46-50

46-47 While he was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers showed up. They were outside trying to get a message to him. Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are out here, wanting to speak with you.”

48-50 Jesus didn’t respond directly, but said, “Who do you think my mother and brothers are?” He then stretched out his hand toward his disciples. “Look closely. These are my mother and brothers. Obedience is thicker than blood. The person who obeys my heavenly Father’s will is my brother and sister and mother.