How to Have Hope When the Lies of the Enemy Threaten Your Purpose

As the mother to Isaac, who became one of three Patriarchs to the Israelites, Sara had once been an elderly barren woman grappling with desperation.

As the Vizier, the second most powerful man in Egypt next to Pharaoh, Joseph had once been unloved, despised, and thrown into a pit.

Known as the man most after God’s own heart, King David spent years on the run in the wilderness waiting for the day he would be crowned King.

Each spent years in preparation for a God-given purpose that didn’t come easy. A purpose still impacting our world today.

I wonder, over time, did Sara feel shame for being unable to bear children? Did Joseph question his worth when his own brothers inflicted evil upon him? Did David doubt whether he’d really ever assume the role as King?

I think most of us have been in this place at least once in our lifetime. A place where the season of waiting doesn’t make sense anymore. A place where our flesh is pushed to the edge of our emotions.
It’s in these times, when the dream is detoured, we hear the whispers of the enemy calling us unworthy.

But, sweet sister, if this is where you are, can I look into your eyes, and say, “Stop?”
Friend, you are in a season of preparation often ladled with mountains and valleys of emotion. Celebration, disappointment, success and failure.

But all perfectly aligned in preparation for life’s next chapter. The chapter God uniquely designed for you.

However, when we fail to lean into Jesus and grow in our knowledge of His Truths, we tend to allow the lies of the enemy past the doorways of our hearts.

Because, failure, rejection, secrecy, and sin without the cross lead us straight to an identity of shame. Instead of receiving the valleys as preparation, we wear them as labels of shame. Our worth becomes attached to our accomplishments and timelines.

But wearing shame is not what God has for us. He has so much more.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. –James 1:12

Waiting is downright brutal at times, but God sees the whole picture and knows what we need.
He knows we must:

• Go through the hard to claim victory in our purpose.

• Embrace our God-given identity before He opens doors bearing judgement and rejection.
• Lay down our idols before He gives us a platform to glorify His name.
• Feel the pain of grief before we minister to the hearts of the broken.
• Suffer the chains of confinement before we point to freedom.

Shame lurks everywhere. It lurks in the person who has never heard the name of Jesus and it lurks in those following hard after Him. You see, the enemy is a master of disguise. He’s cloaked in deception. He fools us into thinking our falling short is failure. And our failure proves we are unworthy and worthless.

So friends, the next time you are waiting on God remember you are in a season of preparation. God equips the called and right now is your time of that equipping.
Fight while you wait. Embrace the equipping and fight the enemy’s darts of shame with the Truth of your identity and with the Word of God.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness! –Psalm 57:1-3
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About Lori

As a wife, mom, teacher, friend, and writer, Lori believes her purpose is to encourage others to seek hope. Pointing others to Jesus brings her joy. Writing about the hope of Jesus is her focus. It’s because of this that she is excited to welcome you as a friend as you struggle through brokenness, celebrate life’s joys, and grow to know Jesus more and more. You can find her Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. Or on her blog, Searching for Moments, at www.lorischumaker.com. ​​

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