It’s another step here along our shared path. Sure we need to continue gaining wisdom and inspiration however the fact is that for many there is a significant amount of things we were taught that need to be released.
Now we’ll take a look at how we go about “UnLearning: Doubt” on this edition of “Becoming Today”.
As we begin a new month, it seems a perfect time to undertake fresh actions. This week our focus on “UnLearning” has so far looked at the idea of how to eliminate fear.
The Scriptures are also full of testimony of individuals who also had to go through the “UnLearning” of fear.
These statements of truth include, Psalm 46:1-3, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.”
Also from Psalm 55:22, Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”
And the words of David in Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
These songs of praise instruct that everyday people like you and I were able to overcome this false notion of fear and become who they were truly intended to be.
How?
Well first they had to take action. That action?
To make a choice. They had to choose to commit to making a decision.
Decisions are something that apparently more than a few people have trouble with. As I often have shared, I belong to the schools of thought that teach,….
What happens when you make a decision?
Either it works. Or it doesn’t
Every decision we make. Every action we take are all investments in our “Becoming”. Conversely every action delayed or decision not made have their consequences and those costs can and will compound greatly.
“UnLearning is the process of releasing prior restrictions. Letting go of false, misleading or incorrect information we acquired over time. It is the deliberate process of relearning the principles involved in a specific scenario, skill or talent.
It requires a willingness to truly learn, grow and become. It is a developed skill, that like all of life must be adaptive, flexible and open to revision at any moment. UnLearning can give us alternate attitudes, better vision, deeper insights, more concise and developed understandings.
The process puts us on the path to knowledge and wisdom that when received, is intended to be shared, freely and for the betterment of not only the individual, but also the whole.”
-Rochelle Jeanette
The same is true for those who opt to hold on tightly to their doubts.
A key element of being “Becoming” is living a righteous life. To do so requires we cast all of our cares upon God.
Doubts certainly qualify for inclusion as a “care”, as does fear, anxiety , worry and troubles.
By handing them off to the Lord we are demonstrating trust in God that He is able and willing to deal with our concerns.
Inasmuch as Scripture Instructs us to cast our cares, and Jesus himself told people not to worry. Not to show obedience in this matter, would be the opposite of righteous living. It shows not only a lack of obedience but can be described as being dishonorable to God.
Why? Because if we do not release the anxieties for Him to handle and try to battle them alone, we are trying to do His job. Attempting to take His burdens upon our shoulders will crush us. However if we follow the advice of the Apostle Peter that weight can be immediately lifted.
Peter’s advice is to cast all our cares upon God.
None of us need to weigh ourselves down with emotional baggage. We don’t have to carry the burden of our worries. Nor must we submit to the bondage of fear, self doubt or loathing.
God is willing to release us from all of it. By taking all of our anxiety and concerns upon Himself.
By now you’re saying something similar to ( if not exactly as) ‘easier said than done’. True but “Becoming” as we have well established by now involves work. Sometimes arduous labor. Making deep commitments and then elevating that dedication to the level of covenants.
You need to make a sincere commitment to “UnLearning Doubt”.
Why?
For one thing and do you no good. For another God says not to do it. Here’s a few inspirational passages you can reflect on when you feel doubt nagging you:
“Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:6)
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled” (John 14:1),
“Don’t worry” (Matthew 6:31).
And maybe even “Dont’ Worry Be Happy”?
To begin the process of “UnLearning Doubt” by casting your cares upon God is truly an accountable measurable leap of faith. I have never said it would be easy nonetheless it is required for our shared paths.
Let’s get started. The first step to releasing your anxiety is stopping it before it starts.
As Joyce Meyer has taught for so many years ( so many in fact she began in the last century, much of our troubles are a result of the Battlefield of the Mind.
“One thing the Lord spoke to my heart when He began to teach me about the battlefield of the mind became a major turning point for me.
He said, ‘Think about what you’re thinking about.‘
As I began to do so, it was not long before I began to see why I was having so much trouble in my life.”
-Joyce Meyer in “Battlefield of the Mind”
The mind is where doubt takes place as the battle between worry and peace, fear and faith, you and the enemy takes place.
Whatever you allow to hold your thoughts, will rule your life. That’s why, in order to cast your cares, you must stop worrying before those concerns can start to take control.
When you first try to change this behavior it will seem like you’re having troublesome thoughts every minute. Acknowledge them. Then to help you let go, replace them with some encouraging words. Memorize or read scriptures that reinforce the messages you want to be striving for. Put them on index cards, in your journal, on the refrigerator, keep a file on your phone, have them always at the ready for your times of need.
Replacing your worry with the Word, shows your obedience. It glorifies God that you are taking a decisive corrective action. You are empowering yourself to learn, grow, develop and be “Becoming”.
You are the only one who can take charge to control your mind, however help is never far away. Go within and ask for guidance, support and direction. Then listen and act upon the wisdom and inspiration you are receiving.
As we’ve established, the first step is quite simply to stop worrying.
Well have you? Why not? We’ve all heard the scripture from 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT), “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
Give it all to God. So easy that’s what causes all the confusion.
How do you simply just give up your concerns? Just stop worrying ?
Ask God and then have the patience to wait for His answer.
This is a big part of “UnLearning Doubt”. Trusting in faith and earnestly believing that ‘through Him who strengthens you” you can do it!
Over time, with trial and error, momentum gained, backsliding a bit and then catapulting ahead; I’ve developed a four step plan to cast my cares, and I’m sharing it with you.
How you too can cast your cares on the Lord…
1 – Call on Him.
He will always hear your prayers.
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” Jeremiah 33:3
Not only does He want to answer your prayers but also He wants to reveal to you great things you may not have ever imagined
2 – Trust Him. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 37:5
We can trust a God. He does not lie. He is always steadfast and faithful. He will deliver on all His promises. If He doesn’t for you, it would be the first time in history.
3 – Give it to Him.
Come to me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
Jesus commands us to cast all our anxieties on Him.
4 – Rest in Him.
Instead of continuing to try and burdens alone, He wants us to let it go! When we “let go, let God”, He gives us His rest, calm, a state of peace and serenity.
Simple enough? No well in that case I’ve also developed a worksheet for you to develop your own casting plan.
Let’s do the work. Answer the following questions, truthfully and we will then formulate your own individual prayer to lighten your load, your mind, your heart and your Spirit.
- How will you Call on Him? When will you Call on Him? Where will you Call on Him?
- Do you Trust Him? Why? How will you show that you Trust Him?
- When will you Give it to Him? How will you Give it to Him? Why will you Give it to Him?
- When will you Rest in Him? Why aren’t you already?
Take time to reflect, pray and meditate on these questions. I’ve included the blank lines so you can print this out as a worksheet if you like.
Once you have answered truthfully, begin to notice the commonalities in some of your responses. Combine, revise, edit and in the space below formulate your own “Casting Plan”.
Heavenly Father,
_____________________________… in Jesus’ name. Amen.
You have your lessons. You have your prayer. Now put your testament into action. Affirm yourself, your belief, your Faith, your Hope, your Trust and your God, by signing and dating this oath:
I, ________________________, do hereby affirm my above stated intentions as boldly made declarations of my Faith, Belief in and Love for the Lord. This pledge is respectfully submitted for your and mine consideration; however those thought processes defer to and are secondary to the blind obedience I submit to God. I consider this a binding agreement between the Lord and myself, fully accepting all responsibility for co-creating Truth from this covenant.
Signature Date
Yes I did turn it into a contractual agreement, not between us, though we’ll all reap the benefits when you successfully complete your commitment, rather it’s a relationship between you and the Creator to help you see a strong return on your investment to Always Being Becoming.
Lightening our load, releasing our burdens, freeing ourselves to seek our destiny is all a part of being “Becoming”.
Realizing you no longer need to be ruled by doubts is something that can only produce many benefits. Continue “Unlearning Doubts”, no longer be imprisoned by them and then tomorrow we’ll shift our focus to the next area of “UnLearning” that far too many seem content not to release.
I’ll explain on our next edition of “Becoming Today”.
Becoming Today with Rochelle Jeanette 