I’ve been watching you.
You were moving with confidence and assurance.
You had a steady pace and a steady gaze
You walked forward with firm footing and focused energy.
And then I noticed your stride got shorter.
Your gait changed.
Your steps slowed.
You started questioning why you had set out on your journey in the first place.
You doubted.
And now you stand – still…
Insecure.
You doubt because I am quiet.
You doubt because the landscape is flat and uneventful – even hard and dull.
You doubt because you see nothing on the horizon in front of you that looks any different from the terrain behind you.
Your doubt leads to wonder.
You wonder if you really are strong enough for the journey.
You wonder if you really have what it takes to finish and finish well.
You wonder if you there is some defect, some imperfection that precludes you from fulfilling your dreams.
Beloved, when you doubt, you lose footing.
You waste time.
You hesitate and with each shorter step, pause in the path, or look over your shoulder you delay yourself from the place I’m calling you to.
You are unsteady.
You are uncertain, unsure, and unbelieving.
Let me tell you exactly where your problem lies.
You are seeking security within.
So of course you will experience bouts of insecurity.
That makes perfect sense.
This is your first rodeo.
You’ve never been this way before and you’ve not yet seen the end that I have in mind.
You don’t know how far you can bend without breaking.
You don’t know exactly how far you can stretch without snapping in two.
But I do.
I made you and I know exactly what I’m doing.
I know exactly what you are capable of.
And it is My pleasure to take you out of your comfort zone and see you flourish beyond your self-perceived abilities.
{It is My pleasure to take you out of your comfort zone…}
That means you will feel uncomfortable at times.
You will feel insecure.
You will feel that you don’t know what you are doing
You will have misgivings about your worthiness to continue.
But you are worthy.
Not because you feel it.
But because I said so.
Here’s the rub my love.
Don’t attempt to find security in or of yourself.
You don’t have it.
And even when you think you have it.
You probably won’t be able to hold on to it.
Find your security in Me.
{Find your security in Me. Because I AM.}
I AM everything that you could ever want to be, need to know, or desire to have.
I AM every answer to any question that you could ever ask.
I AM your sufficiency. I AM enough.
I AM the One who believes in you even when you feel like you are a day late or a dollar short.
I AM the One who knows what it feels like to be overlooked, disregarded, or ignored.
I AM the One who understands not enough support, not enough money, not enough help.
I get it.
I get you.
I AM the One who sees who you really are – the form and shape of something beautiful that still needs to be carved out of hard surfaces and rough edges.
And because I see you… be secure.
{I AM every answer to any question that you could ever ask.
I AM your sufficiency. I AM enough.}
Be secure in knowing that what I start I have the power to finish (Philippians 1:6).
Be secure in knowing that I’ve seen the end of all things (Revelation 21:6) and am still completely in the present to guide you in the way that you should go.
Be secure in knowing that I am all you need (Philippians 4:19) to be exactly who you are supposed to be and to do exactly what you are supposed to do.
So stop looking too far ahead or turning to stare too long at what’s behind.
You won’t find your security in the scenery.
Stop looking for an audience to applaud you as you travel.
You won’t find security in the crowds. They are fickle. Trust Me. I know.
Stop looking at yourself – your clothes, your shoes, your size.
You won’t find real security in how you cover yourself – literally and figuratively.
You won’t find real lasting security in how much or how little of you there is to cover up either.
But you can find security in a place that you may be overlooking or simply looking to last.
You will find security in Me.
Keep moving in My confidence and assurance.
Hold your steady pace and steadily gaze on Me
Walk forward with firm footing and focused energy because of My love and confidence in the plan I have for you.
If you have Me, depend on Me, love Me, seek to please Me, you have everything you need beloved to be and do exactly what you were created to be and do.
I’m all you need.
Be SECURE… in Me.
“Such confidence we have through Christ toward God. Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God…” 2 Corinthians 3:4-5
Notes from my Morning Meeting with Jesus – February 20th
Thank you so much I needed this because I have taken my sight off God! Facing losing my home, single mom, no job, I have a Masters degree I was feeling hopeless because I feel I should be further along but God said I have you where you need to be, counting on Me not yourself! I will be 40 in March and was measuring my age as to where I needed to be in life. But God, this Word OMG! Was on time. Thank You!
So welcome 🙂
Thank you Chrystal! I have lost my footing from doubting and wondering. I also see where my trust is not where it should be. I.m getting back in His word right now. God bless you!
Whew! No words…just in awe of my Creator, my Saviour, my God. Chrystal, thanks for being His vessel.
Oh Chrystal-That is so awesome!! It is very encouraging and oh so true!!
Thank you !
good stuff! He is enough! Now and forever!!!
The right words at just the right moment. I am a single mom of 2 and 1st year grad student. Talk about feeling the pressure of balancing a demanding full time job, homework (mine & my children’s), activities, family time and personal time…i am def feeling it. I even started to doubt my decision of continuing in school because some weeks the load is too much. But then I remind myself that God is allowing me to be stretched and I am growing immensely during this time. It is truly the peace of God that keeps you planted. Being molested at a young age, being in abusive, controlling or empty relationships, experiencing the death of a child and signing myself up for an empty marriage that only ended in divorce. To finally be at a place o peace and see God as my more than enough…I never thought I’d be here. Im 32 and have spent most of my life looking for love and validation. But I’m finally getting it. I’m experiencing the truth that God is more than enough. He truly is the All Sufficient One. It may have taken me years to get here but thank God for His grace and restoration that has afforded me another opportunity (ok…opportunities) to get myself in line and follow Him and where He is at THIS moment. He said it’s a time of healing & restoration in my life. Indeed He’s doing just that. Thank you Chrystal for your words because it reminds me that I have so many more experiences in Him that I get to look forward.
So glad that today’s post was encouraging to you. Your hands are full. Stuff will spill out. Good thing his hands are cupped under ours and catch everything that we cannot hold. Right there with you girl.
[…] I’ve been watching you. You were moving with confidence and assurance. You had a steady pace and a steady gaze …read more […]
This word spoke to me in such a powerful way this morning. It gave me the reassurance I needed to keep pressing on. I had been feeling so insecure in my thoughts, decisions, and emotions. You articulated everything I had been feeling. Thank you Jesus for your grace and mercy. Thank you for your guidance and direction. Thank you for your love and wisdom. Thank you for your protection. Everything we need is in Him.
Hello Angela,
I hope you don’t mind, but you just spoke on everything I was feeling also. Like you took the words right out of my mouth. I could have not expressed this any better. Thoughts, feelings and emotions …Then God’s grace and Mercy, guidance, direction. Love, Wisdom and Protection. The thing for us is to listen to the Holy Spirit, God has given it to us for a reason and a time such as this. Thinks Spiritually. Then we have more power of controling our thoughts, which carry over to our emotions which is in the mind which weighs on the Heart. Surrender it all to God and wait and be still. If you listen carefully you will hear him speak. Talk to him, pray, fast, get in his word, worship and Praise him. Get you an accountability partner… I could use one myself. I guess God will provide that too. 🙂 Mrs Chrystal…God bless you andI truly thank you for all you are doing and the sincerity I feel from you in your work and the inspirational messages I have read of yours. You arw AWESOME. THANK YOU and may God continue to use you and BLESS you in a mighty powerful way and sow back to you all you have poured out to others on behalf of his Kingdom. You are Truly a KINGDOM WOMAN and some…..To God be all the GLORY, allow you and us the Victory, In the name of Jesus.
God Bless
Lo
Chrystal,
Thank you! Well said and right on time!
I am in tears because this is exactly what I needed. I just started seminary and I just feel overwhelmed and have been doubting everything. I have placed my security in my strength and abilities and have failed to find it in Christ. This was such a lovely reminder where my security should be and a great encourager. I praise God for you and your ministry. I’m grateful!
I’m in seminary too. I know EXACTLY what you are talking about as far as the doubt that can eat you alive 🙂
Oh My Gosh, I needed this so much today. As I read each sentence, it felt as if you were reading the pages of my heart. Thanks for the encouragement. Love the blog and the podcast is Outstading!!
Thanks for the encouragement.
boy, are these words meant for me this morning and for another that I am going to share with! They struck a very deep chord within. Thank you so much for “speaking” God’s Wisdom. You are a Blessing for me. God bless you!
This is perfect for today and days ahead! I just love you!!
Love you too 🙂
This was just what I needed!!! Thank you for sharing.
This is beautiful. ..and so encouraging. It describes perfectly where i am in my thoughts and my walk as a new Christian. I cant wait for your message at Crossroads next weekend!
Looking forward to being there!
Chrystal,
These words are beautiful. I can just picture God speaking them to me and they are falling like sweet raindrops on my dried out soul. I am so grateful you speak God’s words to us!
I just prayed to this effect last night…..reminding myself that alone I don’t have a THANG! I’m comforted that The Spirit led you to post this at such a time as this Chrystal. May God continue to bless and richly anoint you. 🙂
YES! YES! YES! YES! No words to describe how beautiful, powerful, and relevant this ALL was for me! I love it!!
Chrystal, since I began listening after your sixth podcast then went back and listened to the others that same day, I have felt so connected to you. Today’s word was just what I needed as I prepare to minister on Sunday. Thank you because God has me where I am for a great purpose and though I feel incapable and uncertain I can find my confidence and security in Him. Thank you for always reminding me of that in such practical ways. Be encouraged in what you’re doing my sister you are helping to propel many of us forward.
(Wiping tears) You just don’t know how much these beautiful words mean to me. I’m dealing with arthritis in my spine, can’t work right now, I’m in school getting my Bachelor’s degree in HR Mgmt, and trying to keep up with my household and a 13 year old pursuing track….and still feel inadequate and not enough.
Thank you for this..right in time. I’m going to record this and play it back to myself when I feel a depression moment coming on. Again thank you…
God is so good. He knew how I woke up feeling. Thanks for being led to post this.
So timely. Thank you, Chrystal.
Loved this! Thank you for serving Him!
Just what I needed!
That was just absolutely and positively right on time and exactly what I needed. Thank you for letting God use you and sharing this with all of us. Continue please ! Be Blessed 🙂
Dear Chrystal,
I am glad you have this blog post. I am really thankful for someone like you. I truly needed this encouragement today. I needed the reminder that Christ is my EVERYTHING!!! He is my source of confidence and ultimate security. I cannot express my gratitude right now. Thank you again and may the Lord God continue to use you for His glory and honor! Blessings to you!
Crystal,
I want to thank you for having an ear to hear the Lord and then sharing with us. He knew exactly what I needed and how to get it to me. Again I thank God for using you as a vessel in my healing. Blessings!
Thank you so much. I needed this today. Right time and right place.
I have been so scared about moving forward in my life. My best friend and partner in my life left and I really do not understand why. We were going to start a business together. I feel as if I do not have that encourager or spiritual pusher with me anymore and it hurts.
I have been asking God to speak to me and show me the way. I was going to quit my job in faith and let God lead me and know I have become fearful and all the things that come with it. I know He will provide the contracts, the contacts, and the success.
It is just hard doing this “alone”.
I have heard nothing but “wait” and “I am with you” all day today. I will be listening for His voice and again thank you.
God Bless You
Thank you so much I felt God speaking to me, I am in a difficult place at this moment in my life and I feel sometimes that God is not or will talk to me, but I heard him through this letter, I can’t say thank you enough for letting God speak through you.
Chrystal, thank you for allowing Holy Spirit to use you as His vessel to birth/bring forth messages such as this to inspire & encourage us. I needed this so much. I have said it once and many times before, I truly thank God for YOU.
From GOD’s heart to mine… I absolutely LOVE it!
Chrystal, God is speaking through you and blessing His people with your words. I’ve been blessed by reading them.
Thank you so very much!
Chrystal,
I really enjoyed this, it was so encouraging and up lifting
keep listening to God and continue to let him use you.
Be Blessed
Thank you for this because I had lost sight of how God looks at me. I have given too much attention on how I look to others, my family and friends, that Ive led myself into doubt. I really need God right now and sometimes I pray but feel as though he is not listening . But I know they he is. I ask that he just refreshens my soul and helps me have confidence in him.
I’m so thankful and eternally grateful to God for your refreshing and inspiring words of real talk about a real God that sees us as we are and streches His hands to lift us up from our despair to elevate us to His purpose and plan. Blessings to you and the entire Evans family for all you do in bringing us closer to God.
God is always on time….even when we think He is running late. What a sweet comfort to know that He KNOWS us, and He knows all about everything going on in our hearts, even when we can’t begin to put it into words….He’s got this. What a divine word from Him this morning. Faith means taking the first step and the step after that…even when we can’t see the whole staircase, and holding onto the Lord’s hand and “letting” Him lead us on the most amazing Journey of our lifetime…wherever that may take us. He will always equip us with everything we need to do what He has called us to do….always….but maybe not in the way we expect, so we have to watch for those “God moments” that can’t be explained away by human knowledge, because His ways are not are ways and His thought are not our thoughts.
I thank the Lord for using you to speak words of challenge, conviction, love, honesty–and so much more! I needed that! I”ve been stuck for awhile. Doubt and fears had locked me in–secure in self yet not moving. He knows all! And its not all about me!
Chrystal
This was truly inspiring and motivating as well. Love every word of it. I am encouraged. How often do we tend to forget who God is when situations and circumstances plague our lives and sends us into a whirl wind of doubt. He is truly our security. Thank you for allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to used you to speak, write and encourage others who need to know the awesome power and love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Be Bless My Sister
Thanks a lot for sharing this!!!!
Thats exactly how I feel today, but it encourages me to keep moving ahead and to remember Im not alone.
This took my breath away. What a beautiful reminder that when we are not, he is always I AM. So often I forget this. Father, forgive me for trying to find security in myself. Show me how to find security only in YOU.
I love this!!! thank you
This is something I will save and read over and over
Thank you Jesus I needed this