Yesterday, November 1, 2019 I picked up my book Praying Our Way Through Stress, and looked at page 53. I mulled it over for the day, slept on it (not literally) and sorted through my thoughts this morning. The Chapter opens with a reference to something written in Matthew 4: “First Satan attempted to induce doubt (If you are who you say you are… “)

This is an encounter Jesus is experiencing in the wilderness.  And, I think it’s one that many of God’s people experience in the world today.

IF you think you are someone special . . .

IF you think you are a child of God . . .

IF you think you are worthy of love . . .

If you think you are called by God . . .

Make some bread out of rocks and stones.

Isn’t Satan just a sarcastic creep?  The Spirit of the Lord would never talk to you like that and here is some evil Spirit speaking to God’s Holy Son.   Jesus didn’t give him the time of day.  Because he knew who he was and what plans he had.

In our lifetimes we struggle with doubt all the time – we even struggle with things like self-doubt.  I just posted the other day on facebook something that expressed my self-doubt -Who did I think I was to hope that one day I could be published by a traditional publishing company instead of self-publishing?   I think that is the attitude that caused me to look at self-publishing before looking at a traditional publisher.  After self-publishing my second book, a local person came to me and said that his daughter had been published by a traditional company and she said the entire experience was very stressful and he didn’t recommend it.  Another person jumped in and said she’d like to help me re-edit because she thought the book was out of order.  And then I discovered that I had spent money on advertising in out of area places and that my book, indeed was never promoted at the places it was suppose to be. (The second book was not self-published through Westbow Press)

I suppose another reason I took the self-publishing route was because I had been told by certain health care professionals that my life was headed downhill fast.  So while I still had life and breath in me I wanted to get something published that would express my love and appreciation of my life in Christ, his teachings and relevance in the world today.  Since I had earned a degree in Religious Studies, similar to one in Theology, I did feel somewhat qualified – even though I knew I wasn’t and I still know I am not – a perfect person or a perfect Christian.  What’s important is that I do know I am loved – not by everybody – but by some and especially by God.

I can’t make bread out of stones or rocks – I don’t even want to attempt to do that.  But if we consider the Word of God to be grains of wheat that become bread to us and other people – then I can share that and hope that people will come to believe that their life does have meaning, purpose and significance in this world.  That their life matters to some and they need to cling onto that instead of listening to the few people who mock them and induce life and try to make them prove themselves by doing some ridiculous thing that cannot be accomplished by anyone.

At a crucial time in my life, when I felt called by God to share the good news of his love, I prayed, and asked him to give me a simple way to share what needs to be shared in my generation.

The fist simple thing was a beautiful and simple melody to a verse in Scripture that many people are familiar with “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.”  Found in Mark 12 and also found in Deuteronomy 6  in the NIV version.  I thought I copied the melody into this book with the title (Love – The Two Greatest Commandments)  – but I think I had failed to mention the Scripture reference.  When the book came out, and the song was included, some people questioned me because the song had been sung in various times and churches because I had shared it and different people who know how to write music and notes on paper did their renditions of it.  We sang it as a round a few times and it was very nice – it sinks deep into your soul.  I had also sent a copy of it to some group that sang T’zaie music because it seemed to be that kind of a repeitition and those people harmonize so well.

I guess what I want to convey the most is that  Overcoming Doubt is a common struggle for many people in this world – and the best way to overcome it – is to learn to love yourself with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.  And if you ever feel that there is no one in this world who loves you or believes in you, I hope you begin to feed yourself with the Bread of Life, the words, that come from the Lord and tell you how much God loves you, believes in you, and his hopes for you.  Overcoming doubt, helps to overcome depression and build up confidence in yourself and other people.  There are enough problems in this world with bullies and naysayers and people telling people they aren’t worth your time of day.  But you are worth all the Time in the World to God and God’s family.  Please believe that, because it’s true.  God’s love for people like you and me is unfailing and eternal.

Let us pray,

Lord God, help us to know and be people who truly learn to love with our hearts, ninds, souls and strength.  Help to come to know what love truly is and how we can express true love to others wherever we may be.  Help us to forgive ourselves and other people when we fall short in this task. Grant us the Spirit of Love that our souls, hearts and minds, and strength to love is restored.  AMEN