The Stare Down

June 2021

“Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’” Mark 5:6

God is a promise keeper and He has never failed me yet—not once. His ways are always good, loving, and kind. He is a good Father that gives good gifts to His children. We can each look over our lives and see how He has lovingly brought us through past seasons and held our hand along the journey as we have crossed over to the other side.

“You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.” Joshua 23:14

I, as many others, have been feeling God's heart about this season being a “crossing over into the promised land” season. I have observed as many are now receiving long awaited promises as they have crossed over in obedience and purity. Some have now found themselves standing and looking at their promise from God dead in the face. It may feel surreal and like a dream in and of itself as they look in the eye of promises fulfilled. It’s like they are having a stare down competition and they're afraid to look away for fear they might lose the game. Eye to eye, unsure of what to do next—in need of Heaven’s strategy to know how to move forward.

“So that the Lord may fulfill His promise concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons are careful regarding their way [of life], to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and mind and with all their soul, you shall not fail…’” 1 Kings 2:4

If this is you, I am here to tell you that in this stare down, you will not lose. It is not a competition. For you are staring into the eyes of Jesus’ grand gifts for your lives—His loving promise for you. This stare down is one you will not have to forfeit, it will not disappear, and you will not be rejected. It is here to stay. His promises are yes and amen and are for you to now enjoy. Many are going from crossing over, to receiving, to enjoying His gifts. I feel that because of many “called and chosen” one’s obedience to the commissions from Heaven and their level of purity, they will now receive their reward. His rewards are here to stay!

“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding ‘Yes!’ And through Christ, our ‘Amen’ (which means ‘Yes’) ascends to God for His glory.” 2 Corinthians 1:20

I do, however, feel that many are now eye to eye with God’s beautifully wrapped gifts for them, but feel unworthy and undeserving of such grand love and desire. As some are face-to-face with their blessings, they are seeing themselves and their promise out of a view of being unworthy—like looking through a foggy windowpane of lack of self-esteem. Some may just be feeling extremely overwhelmed by such lavish love suddenly being poured upon them from the Father that they are having to adjust. Either way, the Lord showed me how this is a type of “poverty” mentality that He is wanting to remove from many in the body of Christ. It’s a poverty of lack of love. Kristin Lohr said that, “The only thing between you and big love is your belief in your worthiness of it.” Lisa Osteen Comes said, “Your worth is based on the inward person of the heart.” On the outside you may not seem capable, but it’s what’s on the inside that counts. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, “. . .man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” For God sees your heart and is the only who can determine your worth and value.

“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich.”

2 Corinthians 8:9

“Love is holy because it is like grace––the worthiness of its object is never really what matters.” – Marilynne Robinson

Dr. Brené Brown said, “You’re imperfect, and you’re wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” It is important in the days ahead for the ones who feel undeserving of the call and grand love of God to remove any wiring in the mind of any form of struggle and unworthiness so they can recover from a lack of love that holds them captive, unable to move forward. Unless the poverty of love is removed, we will not be able to receive the fullness of all He has in store for us. It is vital we break free and see from Heaven's vantage point as we receive instructions to advance. Dr. Brené Brown also said, “You are worthy now. Not if. Not when. You are worthy of love and belonging now. Right this minute. As is.” It’s time for many to break out of the prison of unworthiness. It's time for widows to see themselves as desired brides, orphans as lavishly loved children of the King, and men and women who feel unworthy to see themselves as royalty in Christ. Since many are in a stare down with all God has promised, we must see ourselves as God sees us. I encourage you not to back down, feel overwhelmed or unworthy, but keep your eyes locked on the prize––the lavish supply of gifts from the Father.

“Because I know that the lavish supply of the Spirit of Jesus, the Anointed One, and your intercession for me will bring about my deliverance.”

Philippians 1:19

“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.” Isaiah 54:4

“Just being born makes you worthy.” – Oprah Winfrey

We must completely trust in the Lord's plans for our lives and know that we are worthy, lavishly loved, and adored by the King of the world. He desires to give His best to us—not hand-me-downs, but the absolute top of the line best. God wants us to have His all in this life now and for eternity. Out of many’s obedience and yieldedness through surrender, I feel they have been placed in a position to now receive. If you are reading this, I encourage you to open your arms wide and fall into the very best He has in store for you as you see yourself worthy of His lush love and attention. Don’t look away out of past hurts, fear, unworthiness, insecurity, or run away out of a lack of trust. Rise up and fall deeper into His goodness. Stare eye to eye and face your promises fulfilled with courage.

“I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13

“Be strong and courageous and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you…”

1 Chronicles 28:20

A dear friend recently sent me a video of her free falling from a cliff. It was on her bucket list of dreams she desired to fulfill. As I watched the video of the scary and overwhelming free fall to fulfill the deepest desire of her heart, I became overwhelmed. I felt the Father’s heart as I watched the brave jump. I was so proud of her courage to do such a daring feat. Then, I began thinking of all the scary, courageous, and impossible things the Lord has told me to do in my past and shown for me to do in the future. They seemed just as intimidating as that giant cliff looked as my friend freely fell into her fulfilled promise––her dreams and desires fulfilled. By her courage, we can all learn that what seems like a scary desire or call on our lives is not only possible, but exhilarating. So today, I want to encourage you, if you find yourself eye to eye with a gift and desire from the Lord, don’t run from it, but free fall and enjoy the ride. They are His lavish love and gifts for you. That is what the promise of restoration feels like. Stare down that promise, open the gift, and free fall as you enjoy the longing desires of your dreams being fulfilled.

“The lovers of God who chase after righteousness will find all their dreams come true: an abundant life drenched with favor and a fountain that overflows with satisfaction.” Proverbs 21:21

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, My great army, which I sent among you. ‘You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And My people shall never again be put to shame.’” Joel 2:25-26

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9