The struggle is real
Surrender to the process to become who you were meant to be. An apple does not struggle to become an apple it just becomes. When you were conceived in your mother’s womb, you didn’t struggle to become the fetus, or the body you had has a baby you just become. To become your authentic self, you do not need to struggle. You need to stay connected to your source, God, follow His commands, and you will become.
Do you feel like you are struggling to become who you were meant to be? I know the feeling the struggle is real. I had all these dreams and goals, yet deep down I heard something else calling to me. It was unfamiliar, I did not understand it, I felt scared, and even sad at times.
Be strong and courageous
In Joshua 1, God told Joshua to lead the Israelites to the promised land now that Moses, the previous leader, was dead. Over and over throughout this chapter, God told Joshua that He will be with him, that he should be strong, and courageous, and not be afraid.
Could it be that God already knows that at the brink of becoming who you are meant to be you will experience many struggles and intense fear? In Joshua 1:9, God says, have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
God commanded Joshua; it was not a request. For God to command something, it must be there. You already have the strength and courage to become that leader God wants you to be. Although you have all the necessary ingredients to become your authentic self, there are some conditions necessary.
God told Joshua “Be strong and courageous.” To do this, you need to know who God is. God knows you before you were born, He made you, He knows the end from the beginning, He is all-knowing, all-powerful, and He is in control. You can trust what He says because He knows what He is saying. If He commands you to be strong and courageous, go deep and find that strength. You have it.
Sometimes you may need to take the step afraid, knowing that God is with you. As you move, you will find strength.
Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me
God told Joshua, “Be careful to obey all the law Moses gave you.” Now, at the time when God gave this instruction to Joshua, Jesus had not walked the earth as a human being. We are disciples of Christ, not Moses. To be a disciple of Christ, he says, “if any man wants to follow me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me,” Luke 9:23.
Today God will tell us to obey all that Jesus tells us to do. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. What did Jesus tell us to do? Love one another. This command doesn’t replace the law but rather enforces and covers all the law Moses gave.
And lastly, Jesus says, deny yourselves, and take up your cross daily, and follow me. This instruction contrasts with our culture today. The world our culture says “be who you want to be”. Sure, you are passionate about it, and you can learn to do it, but not because you can do it means you should do it. Is it what God wants you to do? Denying yourself means that what God wants you to do may not look like what you want to do. We will experience fear, self-doubt, and discouragement because it requires complete surrender to follow God.
Surrender
Surrendering to God and the call on your life is a daily habit you will need to adapt until it is natural – it is a lifestyle. It involves sacrifice; this will look like trials or suffering do not run from it (have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous?). “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you,” 1 Peter 5:10.
You do not need to be afraid or struggle – surrender to the process, God’s process. It may take a while, do not try to rush it, worry, or complain. Another passage that sums this up is “For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it, but if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it,” Luke 9:24 GNT. God knows what you need. Surrender to the process and at the right time, you will become the authentic you.