Doubt.

It plagues many of us each day.

I talked about this topic a few weeks ago before I headed out to the SCORRE conference in Orlando, Florida, where I had the privilege of coaching speakers from around the country in effective communication and the SCORRE method. (Next conference in Vail, CO, October 14-17, 2013!)

Coaching speakers isn’t a job for the faint at heart. Giving positive feedback is easy, but giving people constructive criticism about something that most people in the world feel completely vulnerable and self-conscious about is another story.

Honestly, I had my doubts.

Would I be successful the first time I flew solo with my own group? Would I measure up to the expectations? Would anyone ask for their money back because I was their coach? (Just being real!)

So, I armed myself with three swords to defend against the nagging doubts, and wielded them bravely each day.

photo courtesy of sxc.hu @sardinelly

“Blessed is he who trusts in the Lord; whose confidence is in Him.” Jeremiah 17:7

Whenever I heard the lie in my head saying, “What are you thinking, you can’t do this! You’re not good enough,” I repeated that Jeremiah verse to allay the fear. Amazingly, it worked every time.

It was He who had equipped me and would continue helping me with anything I couldn’t handle myself. I trusted him and placed all my confidence in HIM, not myself. What a relief.

Sword 2: Prayer.

Before I left for the conference, I asked a group of people to pray for me the whole time I was gone. I knew it would be arduous and tiring to say the least (working 15 hours a day) and that I would succumb to many things, not the least of which was doubt, especially when I was tired.

I also asked these warriors to pray for my students; that they would be open and ready to learn and God would do a powerful thing in their lives.

I felt the prayers all week. I had an indescribable peace each day – even when I faced challenges.

Sword 3: Gideon

The day before I left for SCORRE, I was reading Gideon’s story in the Book of Judges. Read the passage yourself here, or what I wrote on the blog.

It was a hugely appropriate lesson that I clung to each day I was gone. The gist of it is this:

Even when we don’t think we have what it takes, God does.

When Gideon expresses doubts, God answers with confidence:
1. Go in the strength you have
2. I am (I AM) sending you.
3. I will be with you.

My swords helped me ward off those nagging doubts, and I emerged after one of the hardest weeks of the year with pure joy and gratitude. I felt God’s power, and I witnessed his ability to change lives.

Is doubt holding you back? What swords can you wield to step out in faith toward where God is leading?

Sarah Beckman is the owner of Salt and clay ministries, a Christian speaking ministry based in Albuquerque, NM. Sarah speaks and writes on topics related to living a Salty Christian Life, including loving your neighbor, sharing your faith, using your talents and safeguarding your marriage.

I’m reading the Bible through in a year for the first time ever. I’m using YouVersion.com. And the reading is only about 15-20 minutes each day.

Photo courtesy of sxc.hu @bluehor

This morning, I was reading in Judges. If you’ve ever read that book, you know, the Israelites are in a heap of trouble during those days. You see, they keep revolting against God, and then they flip flop from times of peace (when they are obeying and following God’s laws) and times of despair, (when they disobey, worship other gods and build altars to Baal etc). Each time they are persecuted, they cry out to God. And what does he do? He sends a new “judge” to be God’s spokesperson and lead them, and then they have a time of prosperity and peace.

Today, it’s Gideon’s turn. You might know his story, but in case you don’t here’s what I learned from him today:

Even when we don’t think we have what it takes, God does.

Here’s how it goes down in God’s word:

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”

“Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.”

The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”
Judges 6:12-16 NIV

Gideon has excuses:
1. My clan is the weakest.
2. I am the least in my family.

God has answers:
1. Go in the strength you have.
2. I am (I AM) sending you.
3. I will be with you.

In fifteen minutes this morning I learned a powerful lesson that applies to most anything I’m called to do where I don’t feel capable:

Even when we don’t think we have what it takes, God does.

Translate: GOD HAS what it takes, and God thinks WE HAVE what it takes.

So what’s stopping you? Where can you step out in God’s power today and let go of the excuses?

Sarah Beckman is the owner of Salt and clay ministries, a Christian speaking ministry based in Albuquerque, NM. Sarah speaks and writes on topics related to living a Salty Christian Life, including loving your neighbor, sharing your faith, using your talents and safeguarding your marriage.

I have the opportunity to meet lots of women and hear many of their stories. Sometimes they are stories of joy and victory, but many times they are stories of heartbreak and brokenness. Especially in the area of marriage.

That’s one reason my husband and I speak together on “SAFEguarding Your Marriage”.

But not only that, after 20 years, I am continually learning how beautiful marriage is, when it’s done God’s way.

photo courtesy of sxc.hu @marceloto

I love how God created woman to be our husband’s HELPER. This is to say, we are to support, complement and come alongside our husband. For many years, I missed this key element, and its resultant blessings, because I was so busy meeting my own needs, worrying about my agenda, and fighting against true Biblical submission to my husband.

As God would have it, it took in large part, moving away from all that was familiar for me to start to fully embrace this facet of God’s great plan for my marriage.

And was I ever missing something.

There are many translations of the fabled verse Genesis 2:18, but a few of my favorites are the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) and the Amplified Bible (AMP) versions. (Pick your favorite at Bible Gateway.com)

Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper as his complement.” Gen 2:18 HCSB

Now the Lord God said, It is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper (suitable, adapted, complementary) for him.” Gen 2:18 AMP

When we develop the virtues of a Godly Helpmate, we become complementary, suitable and helpful wives. As God intended.

A Godly helpmate PRAYS wholeheartedly.

Never underestimate the power of prayer. Not only should you pray WITH your husband as often as possible, you should pray FOR your husband, interceding on his behalf, in his presence and when you are praying alone. When we present our requests to God, he intercedes in our marriage and we not only share deeper intimacy with our husband, we experience unified dependence on the Lord. One friend I know prays with her husband every morning before he leaves for work. What a profound example of helping the one we love.

Not sure where to start praying together? Try a familiar prayer like The Lord’s Prayer, or take a short scripture passage and read it out loud together. Just start somewhere, and God will honor your obedience.

A Godly helpmate EMULATES others.

I’ve had the privilege of witnessing some amazing women who beautifully embody the word “helpmate” in action. Diane Davis and Gail Hyatt, are two such women. Their husbands have powerful public lives in professional ministry and business. Each woman in her own right is intelligent, talented and wonderful. But when I spent 4 days with them at the SCORRE conference last fall, what I saw in them was a beautiful display of coming alongside their husbands as Godly helpmates. Not only do they love their husbands well, but they also fully support them and complement them.

I want to be like them. And by watching them, and applying what I see, I can “fake it till I make it.” Pay attention to the women you respect in this area, ask questions and emulate what they do.

A Godly helpmate INVESTS in her man.

Simple fact: many women cannot describe in detail what their husband does for a living. Understanding with proficiency the work he does and the people he works with requires effort and investment. But think about it – this is where he spends 80-90% of his time. Maybe he doesn’t feel like talking about work today? Ask tomorrow. And keep asking.

When you show interest (and the more you know, the more genuinely interested you become), you let him know you care about and respect his vocation. Which translates to “you care about, and respect me.”

No matter where you start, it’s never too late to begin adopting the virtues of a Godly Helpmate. When you are in God’s will in this area you will experience the greatest privilege available in marriage. Remember, God created YOU to be the perfect complement to your man. And when you embrace it, it will bless your man, and your marriage, abundantly.

Struggles? Successes? Feel free to comment here, or message Sarah direct.

Want to make an impact in marriages around you? Craig and Sarah Beckman are available to speak to your church or group on “SAFEguarding Your Marriage.”Inquire today!

It seems hard to believe Easter has come and gone. Because we were on vacation, I didn’t get to savor Easter like I normally do.

Then I had a thought: Shouldn’t we celebrate Christ’s resurrection more than just one day a year? What if we looked for the every day stones that are rolled away as cause for celebration?

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.” Mark 16:4

Photo courtesy of sxc.hu @Ayla87

Miraculous events happen each day. And even though it’s not quite comparable to looking upon Jesus’ empty tomb, we can find the same great joy as we watch God move boulders in our life and the lives of others. There is cause for celebration each day, when we look for it.

The stone of despair is rolled away

Recently, I had the privilege of spending time with a friend who had lost her job and was on the verge of losing her home. We engaged in prayer and many spiritual conversations, and slowly she began to find the hope she had pushed to the deep, dark recesses of her heart. She and her family attended church together, and I could see the change in their spirits as they heard God’s promise of hope and mercy as if it was the very first time.

After a few months, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read this message from her:

“This may sound different, but I can literally feel the grace of prayer…The feelings are overwhelming but beautiful…I finally understand what a natural high is…I’ve had them before, like falling in love and the birth of my child. I feel this in a different way, I don’t know, it’s like the faith I’ve struggled with for so long is finally becoming clear, the fog is lifting. Incredible!!!!!”

Even though her struggles have not ended, she is seeing life differently. The Stone is Rolled Away!

And that is cause for celebration – Easter-like, victorious, ground-shaking celebration! Even when it’s just an “ordinary day.”

Share with us. Has God rolled a stone away in your life?

Sarah Beckman is the owner of Salt and clay ministries, a Christian speaking ministry based in Albuquerque, NM. Sarah speaks and blogs on topics related to living a Salty Christian Life, including loving your neighbor, sharing your faith, using your talents and safeguarding your marriage.

Recently, we launched a new movement and Facebook page for our “Plant a Grant – The Fifty Buck Challenge.” Since its inception, we’ve been blessed by the stories of different people taking the challenge, and the creative ways they made it personal.

We’ve already shared stories of 2 women on the blog who’ve taken the challenge.

Here’s how Woman #3 took the Challenge:

Photo courtesy of blogs.starbucks.com

With 5 kids it would be difficult to give each of her brood a “Grant” to share, so this Mom gave each child a $10 Starbucks card (10 x 5 = 50!) and a deadline. (as a lover of all things coffee and Starbucks, you can see how this one grabbed my attention!) She asked them to pray and consider over 10 days who was deserving of this blessing and to give their card away.

Ranging in ages from 8-18, the children each chose differently as you can imagine. From a Para (special needs assistant) at school, to a hard working, under-appreciated speech coach, to a not-so-favorite teacher, each went beyond their comfort zone and stepped out in obedience to bless someone else.

I love the creativity of dividing a “Grant” into parts. As you can see, there are many ways to get out there and start making a difference.

Won’t you give it a try?

Take a moment to share your story with us if you have already taken the Challenge.

Sarah Beckman is owner of Salt and clay ministries, a Christian speaking ministry based in Albuquerque, NM. Sarah speaks and blogs on topics related to living a Salty Christian Life, including loving your neighbor, sharing your faith, using your gifts, safeguarding your marriage and developing a closer walk with God.