"Don't Give Them Too Much Power"

Why do we allow other's opinions of us to sidetrack us from the call. When we allow what others say to sidetrack us, we are giving them way too much power. God chooses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, the base things, elementary things...

The enemies job is to create scenarios that are contrary to the call that you have received. What God has said to you is not a lie, it is what they say of you that is a lie. Jesus taught the disciples that there will always be some say (Mtt. 16), but what do you say? God never called you to win the popular vote, to fit in, to be accepted. If he was ostracized, criticized, ridiculed, talked about what makes you think you will receive any less. Let me encourage you with something that helps me to persevere. If all hell is fighting against you, then you are soing something right. If you are living in heaven now, then you are probably complacent and out of the will of God. Paul said through much tribulation... Persecution awaits me in every city... Jesus said in this world you will have much tribulation but be of good chear I have overcome the world. He has overcome your critics.

Let me use an example that is real to me. If God told you that you are to go to Africa. The moment you receive the word God has given you the permission, provision, and power to fulfill the word. The word you received comes prepackaged with everything you need. The battle that you face is over the word you received.

The seed eater comes immediately after the seed is sown (Mark 4). He doesn't come until God gives you the permission to do something. The enemies job is to surround you with people that say you are not able. It was the 10 spies who said we be not able that kept 2 million plus people out of the promise land (Numbers 13). Why? Because the enemy knew the only way he could keep them out was to get them to believe the lie.

Lastly, there are two facts about God and the devil we need to know. First, God is incapable of lying, it is impossible. That means if God says something that is totally impossible and ridiculous, it doesn't matter if all hell fights it, the lie would become the truth. Whatever He calls it, it will become.

Satan is the father of lies, meaning it is impossible for him to tell the truth. This means that whatever he whispers in your ear in the morning, the opposite is true. If he tells you that you won't have the money to go to Africa, get ready the money is on the way. If he tells you that you will die from that disease, get ready your miracle is on the way.

Which ever one you agree with will become your reality.

What do I do to keep the power:

1) Realize Your Critics are criticizing in you what they dream for themselves, they wouldn't know the truth if it hit them in the face. I have noticed that when someone wasn't willing to pay the price to become great, they become armchair quarterbacks, movie starts, politicians, pastors... Wherever they failed, they become a expert. They are obsessed with your demise. Only listen to those who have succeeded and are willing to help you. Why? Because critics operate out of the bitterness of their unfuliflled dreams.

2) Never allow others opinion of you to be your source of Confidence. If God said, it doesn't matter who likes it or not. God doesn't operate by Nelson ratings, or popular votes. He will choose to do the most impossible things, just to prove that He can. Great people have great enemies.

3) Keep speaking what God told you, no matter what. When you agree with the critics, you will see what they say. If you agree with God, you will see what He says. Say what you see (spiritual eyes) and you see what you say. The more impossible it is, the more credit God gets. He is going to show up and show off.

4) Realize those who verbally attack you are accusers of the brethren, they have not been sent by God. The sons of God are always peacemakers.

Lastly, how do you know that you are in the right place, doing the right thing? If you find a man of peace (people that need what is inside of you), then your blessing will rest upon that place. If there is no man of peace, then shake the dust off your feet... (Luke 10)

Blessings,
Craig

PS - Never give your emotions or feelings to critical people, in fact all people. If your confidence is in them, they will fail you. God is your confidence.