The Imposter Syndrome

In a blog by Steve Backlund he says …… Imposter syndrome is a psychological occurrence in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent, internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud. 

One of the things my wife, Wendy, often shares is this: “You can only receive what you believe you are worth.” Whether it’s finances, favor, or power, once we get blessed beyond what we believe we are worth, we tend to self-sabotage our lives back down to the level at which we believe we deserve to be.

I have certainly experienced this in my own life. When I’ve gone to a higher level, it has put pressure on the strongholds in me that want to limit me and tell me I am not worthy or capable. The “accuser of the brethren” (the devil) works with those strongholds and often uses negative comparison to focus on what we’re not rather than what we are.  Continue reading “The Imposter Syndrome”

Romans 8:28

 We are convinced that every detail of our lives
is continually woven together for good,
for we are his lovers
who have been called
to fulfill his designed purpose.
The Passion Translation

Keys to overcoming fear

[A blog by Leif Hetland 3rd June 2023]

Without doubt, the greatest hindrance to our ability to step into our destiny is fear. Fear, which is rooted in unbelief, holds us back from the purposes of God. Unbelief thrives in a heart that is not in alignment with God’s nature, purpose, power, and presence. Because of this, every believer must confront unbelief and come face to face with fear. There is no way around it. To step into freedom, we need to deal with unbelief and fear—first within us and then around us.

Thankfully, our heavenly Father has given us everything we need to defeat fear (2 Tim. 1:7). These three gifts—power, love, and a sound mind—are the keys to saying no to fear in our lives. 

1. The first key to overcoming fear is learning to walk in the power of God. When we face overwhelming circumstances, we can respond to them in one of three ways—we can run from them, we can ignore them, or we can face them. The first two options are rooted in fear. The third option, facing our circumstances, is the choice to step into God’s gift of power in our lives.  Continue reading “Keys to overcoming fear”

Shaped by history, or shaping history?

Kris Vallotton in a blog 14th September 2022 quotes a comment his son Jason made while they were have a conversation about ‘Becoming a man that shapes History’. Jason says …

“Your purpose in life comes out of your identity, so if you never really figure out who you are and how you were made then you spend the rest of your life chasing things you were never supposed to be chasing.”

Kris goes on to add something I believe is very important …
                      The truth is there is a big difference between
                            working from love and working for love. 

If you are working so that you have an identity, you will never be able to work hard enough, long enough, or well enough to find fulfilment in yourself.

I’d propose that, if you want your life’s actions to produce a legacy that nourishes the future generations, you need to consider your internal motivator – are you working from a place of performance or a place of love? This will be the fruit that feeds the future generations.

Imagine the church unrestrained

I was reading some comments by contemporary theologian Walter Brueggemann regarding the season of Pentecost.  He makes these comments firstly of the church ….    “It is not an institution, but rather a community of folk who are propelled by God’s own spirit, situated in Jesus’ own narrative, and alive in the world in alternative ways.” 

In making these comments Brueggemann is not only making comment on the nature of the early church situated around Jesus human incarnation some 2020 years ago but also and as importantly he is making comment on the nature of the church we need to live in today. Where are a community that stands over against institution – where we are propelled not by regulation or fear but by God’s own Spirit.  Continue reading “Imagine the church unrestrained”