I’ve said “I can’t do this” to myself thousands of times, in various situations, but they all seem to have this in common: they push me outside my comfort zone (especially as an introvert).
Just this morning I pictured a goal for my future and instantly heard that phrase again: “I can’t do this.” But this time I paused and asked, “Why not?” I have the God who spoke the universe into being dwelling within me. He created me for a specific purpose and has promised to provide all I need. I am loved, worthy, and capable. I prayed, “God, free me from self-imposed limits.”
Dr. Susan Jeffers, author of Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway, says, “At the bottom of every one of your fears is simply the fear that you can’t handle whatever life may bring you.”
We tell ourselves things like . . .
I can’t handle pressure.
I can’t handle conflict.
I can’t handle rejection.
But the reality is, we can. Paul said, “I have learned the secret of living in every situation. . . I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (Phil. 4:12–13).
This doesn’t mean everything will be easy, comfortable, or come naturally to us. It also doesn’t mean we should try to do everything; we still need to use wisdom in choosing God’s best for us. But it does mean we don’t have to live with self-imposed limits anymore.
Instead of saying, “I can’t do this,” we can learn to say, “Yes, this will be uncomfortable and challenging, but with Jesus I can handle anything today.”
This is an excerpt from my new book that released this week, Introvert by Design: A Guided Journal for Living with New Confidence in Who You’re Created to Be. Find out more and read a free excerpt at HolleyGerth.com/Introverts!
