Breaking Intimidation

Do you have a God-given call on your life that you're afraid to explore? Are you allowing intimidation to keep you from fulfilling your God-given mission? Is it hard for you to say "no" without feeling guilty? If so, you're a lot like me. I have felt God's calling in my life for a while now, but I have shied away because of fear; fear of what others would think, fear of rejection, fear of isolation and resentment from others.

As long as I can remember, I have wanted to fit in. This desire has often led me to do things I wouldn't normally do. It has caused me a lot of regret in my life. And it has also kept me from pursuing the mission that God has had planned for me.

For some time now, I have felt God's calling (never stronger than now) to speak up about the dangers of being "wise in our own eyes". The dangers of listening to the devils lies about health. The over-use and abuse of medication. For years, I have felt God's nudging and have shied away. I have given excuses for not speaking up when I've needed to. I have denied my calling and have clammed up in order to please those around me.
Outwardly, I feel I'm doing what it takes to fit in. Inwardly, I'm crumbling. Today, I am choosing to do something about this.

At a seminar a couple of months ago, a doctor recommended the book, "Breaking Intimidation" by John Bevere to Channing and me. She said it really helped her to push through her fear of rejection and enabled her to share truths with those around her. She had nothing but great things to say about the book, so Channing and I ordered it.

We've had the book for a month or so and haven't looked at it. Then tonight, while I was cooking dinner, I saw that Joyce Meyer was on. I turned her show on and saw that her special guest was John Bevere. I watched the show, was enlightened (as usual) and was stirred to begin reading the book we ordered. After reading the introduction, I SO wish I had began this book sooner. It is AWESOME!

I read the beginning and reread it. I enjoyed it so much, I had to pull Channing into the kitchen so we could read it together. The introduction of the book captured me. He gives a great analogy that really shows how so many of us are allowing intimidation to rule over us and defeat us. He explains that if we don't get to the root of the problem, we will never overcome it. He shares how the Spirit of the Lord came upon him to prophesy.

In the first chapter, Bevere lists a great quote, "Walk in your God-given authority, or someone will take it and use it against you." This was a warning that a man from one of Bevere's previous churches gave to his (Bevere's) wife before they left that church. The quote took my breath away. In this chapter, he goes on to share a personal testimony of allowing himself to be intimated by people and thus his being cut off from the blessings of God. He shares how he allowed thoughts to "assault his mind". He stopped focusing on God's call on his life and started worrying about what was going to happen to him. He says that this is how intimidation changes your focus. "The reason: The root of intimidation is fear, and fear causes people to focus on themselves. Perfect love casts out fear because love puts the focus on God and others and denies itself (1 John 4:18)." WOW!

How true that statement has been in my life!!! I have been so fearful and have been nothing but focused on myself. When I hear stories from others and sense God's nudging to share what I know, I usually clam up and keep quiet, even though everything inside of me is screaming. I love these people that are telling me about the 10th antibiotic they've given their baby for ear infections, yet I don't open my mouth to let them know that there is a better way. SELFISH! That is not perfect love at all. I am putting all of the focus on myself.

Bevere closes the chapter by sharing the fact that so many Christians battle intimidation. He goes on to point out that these Christians often are unaware of the battle they are up against. He says, "As with most of Satan's devices, intimidation is camouflaged and subtle. We feel its effects-depression, confusion, lack of faith- without knowing its root.... In frustration most of us deal with the aftermath, or fruit of intimidation, rather than with the intimidation itself-and with its root. Therefore, we may experience temporary relief, but our struggles do not end. You can pick all the fruit off the tree, but as long as its roots are intact, the fruit eventually grows back." Bevere then shares that this becomes a cycle, and that "we begin to feel hopeless and settle for a place far below where God has called us."

I have seen this in my life, and I am so ready to make a change. I am ready to start living for God rather than living to please man...which is SO hard! If this is something you struggle with, I highly recommend picking up this book. I have only read the introduction and first chapter, but I am already sensing a HUGE change coming in my life. This is a study Channing and I are doing together, and I can hardly wait to see where God takes us. If you decide to get the book too, or if you've already read it, let me know what you think!