As a child, I suffered from a speech impediment. I started stuttering at the age of three and struggled with the problem until adulthood.
Stuttering became something I could not hide or change within myself. I struggled to formulate words and became very frustrated with myself. An act that most people saw as natural as breathing was a daily struggle for me. I would sit in private horror worrying the teacher might call on me to speak. In college, I avoided small classes to hide my private shame. My whole life was conditioned to accommodate my great insecurity. Fear controlled my daily thoughts. I was a prisoner of fear, and my weakness controlled every step I took in the world.
When I felt the call of ministry on my young life, I naturally ran with great fear. In my mind, I was not anybody God could use for anything great. My life was destined to be controlled by my weakness. In my attempt to disqualify myself, I actually proved myself worthy to be called of the Lord. In my weakness, the power of God could be seen. Through my dependence on Him, He could speak through me. I could not find one person in the Bible apart from Christ who was perfect.
God uses the weak to prove Himself in an unbelieving world. He uses the discarded to prove His love, and He uses the meek to conquer the world. His love is greater than our fear, and His power is only revealed in our weakness.
In my weakness, I stepped out from my fear and found God’s power. I now speak to hundreds and write inspirational articles to encourage many. The one thing in my life I thought was useless, God transformed into something amazing.
You may be at the same place I was many years ago. You may be trapped in a cocoon of fear watching the world pass you. God can use your weakness for greatness, and He can take your fear and turn it into passion. There is not one thing that can limit you in the Lord today.
Take that first step out of your fear and simply trust God with your future. He will turn your shame into greatness for all to see!
(Photo courtesy of morguefile and LittleJack.)
(For more devotions, visit us at www.christiandevotions.us.)
Josh Clevenger is the pastor of Cory Zion Church in Cory, Indiana. He is a husband, father, pastor, author, and evangelist. Josh has numerous books in publication, along with an active outreach ministry. He wants people to feel connected to God’s grace and experience the comfort of His mercies. Follow Josh Clevenger Ministries to get daily encouragement from the Lord.