Assertiveness/boldness in Christ

[Dreamer]

Hi Saints.  :HeartThrob:

There is a job that I really, really want in the field that I believe God wants me to be in.   

I've spoken to the decision maker and before I knew Christ I was bold and assertive and really went after the things I wanted.  Is assertiveness and boldness in Christ borderline worldly or sinful?  Is my going after this job not showing trust that God will do it?

And to be bluntly honest, I don't trust God as I did when I first got saved five years ago.  It seems like every time I needed Him to DO something, nothing happened and so I think if I don't DO something nothing will happen.  I feel like I'm sitting on the sidelines and feel somewhat silly thinking that somehow God will whisper in this man's ear to hire me.  I just don't feel that God will show me favor as I haven't experienced much of it lately.

I need some help sorting out all this my action versus God's work.  I think both work together but am not exactly sure how and to what degree.

Humbly,

Dreamer

[SeekerSA]

Assertiveness is not the same as arrogance.

Be bold, be strong.

Blessings

[CHB]

And to be bluntly honest, I don't trust God as I did when I first got saved five years ago.  It seems like every time I needed Him to DO something, nothing happened and so I think if I don't DO something nothing will happen.  I feel like I'm sitting on the sidelines and feel somewhat silly thinking that somehow God will whisper in this man's ear to hire me.  I just don't feel that God will show me favor as I haven't experienced much of it lately.

You know, I had this same problem and at times still do, I wonder if everybody is plagued with this at one time or another? I think it is the flesh of our self righteousness at work. Actually I have to remind myself every now and then that God IS IN CONTROL OF ALL THINGS. Trust me, it will work out the way God intends no matter what you say or do.

CHB

[Nancy]

Hi ya Dreamer,

I know exactly what you mean!
I used to think that you had to sit in a chair and wait for God to tell you what to do! That you virtually had to live like a hermit.  The last time I did just that, i had a breakdown!
We have to live our lives and God will direct our course, i believe.  If you ask God to give you a wage but don't go out to work, how will that happen?  I read a brilliant article stating that God doesn't play hide and seek with His will for us to search out. We live our lifes and Gods' will is incorporated into it.
Obviously motives are always the key. If we want money for greeds' sake, maybe God puts obstacles in our way. I know He does in my life.
My mother always says 'God helps those who help themselves' which is not strictly true but i get the gist.
Hope this helps
Godbless
Nancy

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Yes, I think we've all struggled with this. Early on in my walk (at this moment I can't remember who even) I read in the OT of someone God granted the man's prayer for and it was not God's perfect will for his life. The man got what he prayed for, but the results were anything but what he wanted.

My eyes opened wide at the thought God would grant prayers like that. So I told Him I always wanted only His perfect will for my life, even IF I should ever be really upset, crying, begging or whatever, not to grant me anything out of His perfect will. That was 21 years ago. I had forgotten about it, until He reminded me about 2 years ago, when I asked, in tears, amiss. It was a hard pill to swallow, I admit, but I still want His perfect will, not the "good" or the "acceptable" one.

As far as jobs, I've learned to do the same thing, in a slightly different way. I tell Him I want Him to shut whatever doors He wants shut, and open whatever doors He wants open. It works for me. I've known by the Spirit, after applying if I was going to get the job, whether or not they told me they were hiring or not. One time He told me to go put my application in at a certain place, and do it NOW. I was in my car to go there, and someone I knew that worked there, flagged me down to tell me to go put my application in there now, because someone had just that moment quit, and this person was out looking for me to tell me! God is good. We cannot outdo God in our choices even if it's sometime not what we think we want on the surface. Blessings to you in your walk.......

[Dreamer]

Thank you, Seeker.

CHB, thanks.  I'm still vetting out the part we play in our lives and our part vs. God's part.  I know our ideas about free-will play a part but I'm really struggling with this.  Now that the religiosity is out of me I'm finding that it was easier reading about God and having head knowledge of Him than actually living and walking with Him in everything.  It's a journey and I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Hi Nancy.  God has beat a lot of the impure motives out of me lately.  I guess that's the reason why it seemed to me that He'd been MIA when I prayed.  I do believe that He will direct our steps.  I just hope I have my ear pressed enough to hear what He's telling me.

[Dreamer]

Thank you, Cardinal. 

For a long time I stopped praying because I wasn't exactly sure what to pray for. 

The troubles in my life still exist after all these years and I've learned to cope with them because God hasn't yet intervened no matter how many tears I've shed or hard I've prayed.  To me, this job would be the answer to all those prayers and would affect my entire life so I'm nervous and cautious and still trying to remain hopeful.  It's actually a miracle in itself that I am even being considered for this position so that's a reminder to me that God just may be orchestrating things.

I just hope and now I'm back again praying.

Blessings to you as well.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: I know this sounds simplistic, but have you asked Him to show you what you are to learn from the circumstances in your life? I had to do that to overcome a lot of things, and once I started doing that, instead of reacting to the circumstances, if the trial didn't disappear almost overnight, at least I had understanding on what I was to glean from walking it out, so it was not so painful.

Most of the time I found He would reveal what it was. Sometimes we have to pass the test before He will show us what just happened. ALL things work together for good for those that love the Lord, and it is hard to have this made life in us. I know, firsthand. Blessings to you...... :HeartThrob:

[Dreamer]

Yes, and He has showed me. I don't travail anymore, I'm just numb and continue to exist as stuff piles on.  That sounds bad, maybe it is, but I'm constantly learning to remain calm in the storms which IS a good thing.

It's either that or die and give up on Him and on me.  I don't choose to do the latter so I guess I'm just struggling to survive and find hope.

Staying at zero or going backward has become my life and I'm just ready to move on and forward.

Man, ain't life grand????  :HeartThrob:

[Kratos]

Dreamer,

The whole creation is groaning waiting for the manifestation of the Sons of God. We who have received the firstfruits of the Spirit also groan waiting for the redemption of our bodies.

It may not help, but you are not alone. I even speak to atheists who are groaning and mad at the church because she seems so powerless in this day.

Thank you for adding your "groan" to the rest of humanities choir. It is right on time with where we all are. God will one day respond to judge all disobedience when our obedience is fulfilled.

John

[Dreamer]

John, I like how you put that.   :HeartThrob:

So I'll be me and continue to do what I do until further notice from Him.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Believe me Dreamer, I hear you. The weight of the tribulations I have endured has all but crushed me, to where I couldn't hardly hold my head up, many times. My prayers are with you..... :HeartThrob:

[Dreamer]

Thank you, Cardinal.  :HeartThrob:

[Sarah]

So I'll be me and continue to do what I do until further notice from Him.

I like this... :thumbsup:

[Redkora]

Thank you, Dreamer, for this thread. It opened up a discussion in which I gained understanding of something going on in my life. It's amazing how God leads us to where we need to be at the right moment.

[Loveroftruth]

I believe men are welcomed to be bold but when a woman is she is quickly labeled (verbally or no-verbally)..... why is this :dontknow:

[Dreamer]

Sarah, that's all I know to do.  Thank you.

Redkora, God is awesome and we get to see just how much when He orchestrates stuff like that.

Lovetruth, I've been bold at times and it was not received well and I've been so bold other times that I'm sure I've come across as arrogant but I was respected and received as "just one of the guys." I could never do the latter anymore because I'd feel like such a little jerk.

I just want to let this man know that I'm the best person for the job -- male or female -- and if my speaking up, being assertive and bold is the answer then so be it.  I can be that and a lady at the same time.