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Being Confident Of This

Grace for the work-in-progress woman

The One Time You Want to Be a Fool

March 14, 2016 by jstults 10 Comments

I have a little confession to make:  I am afraid to fail, to look a fool.

Recently I realized I’ve been afraid to get excited about our church plant opening in less than two weeks.  Yes, me, a church planter’s wife. Afraid.

It all sounded so exciting back in the beginning and even leading up to the planning for our opening Sunday. But as the time draws nearer, I feel that familiar fear creeping up on me. What if we fail?

You know that fear, don’t you, friend?

Often we fear to take important steps forward in God’s plan for our lives because we might end up looking foolish if things don’t work out the way we think they will.

So we remain paralyzed, stuck.

I believe it’s the enemy’s favorite tactic when God’s people set out to serve and obey Him.  If he can overwhelm us with fear, then maybe we’ll freeze in place or start stepping backwards instead of forwards. Maybe we’ll even turn around, tuck tail, and run like Jonah in the opposite direction.

Maybe we won’t want to be fools for Christ.

But what the enemy doesn’t want you to know is that no effort is wasted when it is done in the name of the Lord. There is no such thing as failure in God’s economy when we walk forward in obedience!

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Gal. 6:9 NASB

Often the Lord asks us to do things that just don't make sense to the world or even fellow believers.  Throughout the Bible we see the evidence of such "fools for Christ." Are we willing to risk that label? And if so, what are the consequences? The One Time You Want to be a Fool. fool for Christ, fool for Christ quote, willing to follow Christ, Christian encouragement, followers of Christ

Consider these biblical “fools for Christ”:

Abraham sacrificed security and uprooted his entire family with no final destination in mind, then became the father of nations.

While building the ark, Noah preached for 100 years with zero converts, but his family was saved.

Daniel spent the night in the lions’ den, risking death rather than giving up prayer and changed the law of the land. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked into a fiery furnace rather than bow to an idol and influenced the heart of the King of Babylon.

Mary faced a world of scorn for the miraculous conception of the child within her, yet she gave birth to the Son of God.

And consider Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who had every right to strike his enemies dead rather than suffer on the cross for us.  Even as he strained for breath, those around him taunted:

And the people stood by, looking on. And even the rulers were sneering at Him, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is the Christ of God, His Chosen One.”  Luke 23:35 NASB

If Christ Himself was willing to look the fool for laying down His own life, why are we so hesitant to do so when laying down ours?

Why am I afraid to look a fool for the sake of His call?

Pride.

My own stinkin’ pride.

I’m learning that I’ve got to get over that silly pride issue if I want to be an effective servant of the Lord.  And you need to, also, friend.

This quote from recently departed Justice Scalia really speaks to me:

“God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools … and he has not been disappointed. … If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world.”

You've heard the phrase "being a fool for Christ," but what does that really mean? See how these 5 biblical fools teach us to have faith! fools for Christ, Christ followers, Christian encouragement, the cost of following Christ

Pride is the enemy of Courage.

If we want to be courageous, we must be willing to put our pride at risk, yes?

Listen, friends, maybe we can’t all have the influence of men like Abraham or Justice Scalia, or women like Mary, but we can all be everyday fools for Christ.

We can be fools for Christ by…

  • choosing forgiveness when the world would hold onto anger
  • raising children God’s way even if those around us scoff
  • remaining in a wounded marriage when friends advise divorce
  • sacrificing time to live on mission right where we are
  • following Christ into ministry even though we feel inadequate
  • packing up and moving when He says to go
  • writing when God says write or speaking when led to speak even if we’ve never done it before

We can be fools for Christ in a million other ways by simply following Him moment by moment, day by day.

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot

Don't let naysayers keep you from God's plan for your life! Being a Christ-follower requires sacrifice, but you'll find yourself in good company with these other "fools."  fools for Christ, Christian encouragement, following Christ, trusting God's plan, jim elliot quote

We can leave jobs, and homes, and families, and possessions, all for the sake of Christ and count it as gain! We can look naysayers in the eye and say with confidence, “I aim to follow the Lord – that’s the best I can do.”

“But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ…” Phil. 3:7-8 NASB

Don’t be afraid to lay down your life like a fool no matter what anyone else has to say about it because the rewards are both now and for eternity.

What is it that the Lord wants you to do for Him?

Will you follow no matter the cost?

Be fools for Christ!

Jen 🙂

Sharing with: Tell It To Me Tuesdays, Wholehearted Wednesdays, A Little R & R Wednesdays, Grace and Truth

Filed Under: Christianity Tagged With: Christian living, Courage, Devotional Thought, Encouragement, fools for Christ, Heroes of the faith, Jesus, Jim Elliot, Justice Scalia, pride

Comments

  1. Amy Christensen says

    March 15, 2016 at 16:53

    Great post, Jen. So often our thoughts revolve around our flesh rather than His Spirit, so things like pride, fear, envy and so on often drive our actions. But a mind set on the Spirit is life and peace…thus it is so important to be taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ Jesus.
    Thank you for sharing. – Amy

    Reply
    • jstults says

      March 17, 2016 at 08:10

      So true, Amy! Thank you for taking the time to leave some encouragement here.
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  2. Leah Adams says

    March 17, 2016 at 04:16

    This is good, good stuff, Jen. We all have those moments of fear when God is asking us to step out into the waters. Just like the ancient Israelite priests, we must, in faith, step into the rolling, raging waters simply because God said so. When we do, God will roll back those waters and we will walk through on dry ground. On the other side our shoes will be clean…no mud, no mess.

    Reply
    • jstults says

      March 17, 2016 at 08:11

      I love this picture, Leah! Thanks for this encouragement.
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  3. Kim Burnett says

    March 17, 2016 at 16:55

    Hi! I just discovered you today and this is your very first blog I have read. I heard you on wbcl this morning. I enjoyed reading this and look forward to reading your other blogs also. Blessings!

    Reply
    • jstults says

      March 20, 2016 at 23:32

      Hi, Kim! I’m so happy to have you here. I pray you find plenty of encouragement as you “look” around.
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  4. Jennifer says

    March 20, 2016 at 21:23

    “Pride is the enemy of courage.” What an interesting thought! I think it’s more obvious to say that fear is the enemy of courage, or maybe cowardice. But what’s at the root of fear and cowardice? PRIDE! Thanks for faithfully encouraging us to think deeply and biblically!

    Reply
    • jstults says

      March 20, 2016 at 23:31

      Thank you, Jennifer! I appreciate your encouragement!
      Jen 🙂

      Reply
  5. Darcie says

    January 28, 2019 at 15:02

    I needed to read this. I feel like writing about my story can be really embarassing or just insignificant at times, but nevertheless it is what I feel God is asking of me. This made me realize that seemingly insignificant people always play the lead for God’s requests even as strange as they may seem. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
    • jstults says

      February 27, 2019 at 10:18

      Hi, Darcie! 🙂 Yes, writing is scary work and sometimes it requires a vulnerability that really can be embarrassing. But…when we obey Him, it’s always worth it! Even if we only write for an audience of One, it’s worth it. Praying for you this morning.
      Jen 🙂

      Reply

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Hi, I'm Jen: a work in progress. I'm imperfect - a mom of four, pastor's wife, discipler, and sinner saved only by grace. I like to sing, read, write, teach, and smile. I have a heart for encouraging women everywhere to understand God's limitless love for them and what His grace means for everyday living. Welcome! :) Read More…

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New devotional release from Jen Stults - Being Confident of This: 30 Days to Discovering Your Identity in Christ. This book is for every Christian woman who wants to walk in confident faith instead of struggling with doubt, fear, and insecurity! self-esteem | self-confidence | self-help | motivational | personal growth | spiritual growth | how to be more confident | Christian women | devotional | Bible study | identity in Christ | superwoman myth | being like Mary

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