Can I Really Do This? Leadership can be overwhelming at times. It seems like everything that was going smoothly suddenly falls apart and we, who love to serve others, are unable to offer another thing!
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31). As we read this, faint seems like an understatement for how we feel! Doubt creeps in. It’s subtle at first; then we miss a deadline or forget an appointment, and the ground beneath us quickly crumbles.
I had a tough day a few weeks ago. First, I discovered I had misread a statement and short paid a bill by a trivial amount, which resulted in a late fee. Then, I realized I’d forgotten an important ingredient I needed for dinner after returning from the store, with no time to run back. I had multiple events coming up, phone calls to make, and emails to send. A misunderstanding occurred between family members because each didn’t realize what the other actually said. Finally, an innocent request for a puppy by my daughter tipped the scales. I became upset and over-reacted. Then disappointment in myself took over, and I was convinced I was worthless as a mother, no longer attractive as a wife, and not competent in my job. I went straight to my husband, expecting him to say what I needed to hear. Can you guess what happened?
Of course, he couldn’t possibly say the right thing. I needed to stop listening to the deceiver as he whispered in my ear. Late that night, as I whined away to God, He brought to mind a scene in C.S. Lewis’s book The Screwtape Letters. In this book, a senior demon mentoring his nephew helps him to “worm” his way into the mind of the “patient” in order to derail the man’s faith. I realized that was happening to me! What a comfort to know that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26). And while this is happening, our Father is responding to us. “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24). [bctt tweet=”Stop listening to the deceiver. You were made with a purpose. #KeepTXFamiliesFree #homeschool”]
What about those doubts and disappointments I permitted into my heart? James tells us to ask for help in faith: “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6). Feelings of insignificance come easily for me; how do I overcome doubt? The answer is in Ephesians, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). I need to be reminded of this, often. God has designed me for a purpose and has given me the talents to fulfill that purpose. [bctt tweet=”Feeling insignificant? Overcome doubt: You are designed for a purpose. #KeepTXFamiliesFree #homeschool”]
If God has called me to lead, I will sometimes be led out of my comfort zone, but He will be right there with me. I can’t let doubt and discouragement blindside me. “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one” (Ezekiel 22:30). He has prepared the way for me to do the job, I just have to answer His call. [bctt tweet=”He has prepared the way for me to do the job, I just have to answer His call. #KeepTXFAmiliesFree #homeschool”]
Home School Group Leaders, do you need encouragement to continue doing the job He has asked you to do? THSC is preparing a special event just for you! As part of the conventions in Arlington and The Woodlands, the Texas Leader’s Conference is a special event, set aside for leaders to help you continue to have Faith in the Trenches! Tickets are only $10, and the presenters will speak to your heart as you lead your home school groups. Additionally, we will announce the 2016 Leader of the Year for North and South Texas, in May and July. [bctt tweet=”A special event for leaders! #KeepTXFamiliesFree #homeschool”]
Our brand new Leader’s Voice session opens the floor for questions from leaders across Texas. Submit your questions today to have them considered for both conventions. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn and engage with other home school group leaders, just like you!
If you know someone else who may be interested, please share with a quick email or on social media.
Can I Really Do This? Leadership can be overwhelming at times. It seems like everything that was going smoothly suddenly falls apart and we, who love to serve others, are unable to offer another thing!
“Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:30-31). As we read this, faint seems like an understatement for how we feel! Doubt creeps in. It’s subtle at first; then we miss a deadline or forget an appointment, and the ground beneath us quickly crumbles.
I had a tough day a few weeks ago. First, I discovered I had misread a statement and short paid a bill by a trivial amount, which resulted in a late fee. Then, I realized I’d forgotten an important ingredient I needed for dinner after returning from the store, with no time to run back. I had multiple events coming up, phone calls to make, and emails to send. A misunderstanding occurred between family members because each didn’t realize what the other actually said. Finally, an innocent request for a puppy by my daughter tipped the scales. I became upset and over-reacted. Then disappointment in myself took over, and I was convinced I was worthless as a mother, no longer attractive as a wife, and not competent in my job. I went straight to my husband, expecting him to say what I needed to hear. Can you guess what happened?
Of course, he couldn’t possibly say the right thing. I needed to stop listening to the deceiver as he whispered in my ear. Late that night, as I whined away to God, He brought to mind a scene in C.S. Lewis’s book The Screwtape Letters. In this book, a senior demon mentoring his nephew helps him to “worm” his way into the mind of the “patient” in order to derail the man’s faith. I realized that was happening to me! What a comfort to know that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. “We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (Romans 8:26). And while this is happening, our Father is responding to us. “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear” (Isaiah 65:24). [bctt tweet=”Stop listening to the deceiver. You were made with a purpose. #KeepTXFamiliesFree #homeschool”]
What about those doubts and disappointments I permitted into my heart? James tells us to ask for help in faith: “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:6). Feelings of insignificance come easily for me; how do I overcome doubt? The answer is in Ephesians, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). I need to be reminded of this, often. God has designed me for a purpose and has given me the talents to fulfill that purpose. [bctt tweet=”Feeling insignificant? Overcome doubt: You are designed for a purpose. #KeepTXFamiliesFree #homeschool”]
If God has called me to lead, I will sometimes be led out of my comfort zone, but He will be right there with me. I can’t let doubt and discouragement blindside me. “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one” (Ezekiel 22:30). He has prepared the way for me to do the job, I just have to answer His call. [bctt tweet=”He has prepared the way for me to do the job, I just have to answer His call. #KeepTXFAmiliesFree #homeschool”]
Home School Group Leaders, do you need encouragement to continue doing the job He has asked you to do? THSC is preparing a special event just for you! As part of the conventions in Arlington and The Woodlands, the Texas Leader’s Conference is a special event, set aside for leaders to help you continue to have Faith in the Trenches! Tickets are only $10, and the presenters will speak to your heart as you lead your home school groups. Additionally, we will announce the 2016 Leader of the Year for North and South Texas, in May and July. [bctt tweet=”A special event for leaders! #KeepTXFamiliesFree #homeschool”]
Our brand new Leader’s Voice session opens the floor for questions from leaders across Texas. Submit your questions today to have them considered for both conventions. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn and engage with other home school group leaders, just like you!
If you know someone else who may be interested, please share with a quick email or on social media.
