Embracing God's Call: Overcoming Doubts and Shadow Beliefs

Each day is a gift from God, and the only way to truly receive it is to be present—letting go of past regrets and future anxieties. God meets us in the present, no matter our circumstances or our past. The story of Gideon in Judges 6-8 offers a powerful example of how God calls ordinary people, even those with messy backgrounds and doubts, to extraordinary purposes. Gideon was hiding, fearful, and full of self-doubt, yet God called him a “mighty warrior.” This shows that God sees us not as we are, but as we can be in Him.

Our lives are often shaped by “shadow beliefs”—deep-seated, often subconscious convictions formed by past wounds, family experiences, or repeated failures. These beliefs can act like faulty lines of code in our minds, distorting our spiritual “attitude indicator” and causing us to doubt God’s promises and our own worth. Like Gideon, we may respond to God’s calling with a list of “buts”—excuses rooted in these shadow beliefs. Yet God is not intimidated by our doubts or our history. He patiently works with us, offering opportunities for healing and transformation.

The process of overcoming these shadow beliefs involves honest self-examination, prayer, and sometimes seeking help through counseling or community. It also requires feeding our souls with God’s promises rather than magnifying our problems. For every problem, God has a promise and provision. As we meditate on His Word and embrace gratitude, our thinking is renewed, and we begin to see ourselves and our circumstances from God’s perspective.

God delights in using small beginnings and surrendered hearts. Gideon’s victory came not through numbers or strength, but through obedience and reliance on God’s power. Success, whether large or small, is an opportunity to give glory to God and to testify to His faithfulness. The journey from fear to faith is marked by small steps of obedience, a willingness to let God rewrite our internal code, and a commitment to magnify His promises over our problems. In doing so, we become the mighty warriors God declares us to be, equipped to impact our world with courage and hope.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Calling Is Based on His Perspective, Not Ours God calls us according to His vision for our lives, not our current circumstances or our family history. Gideon was hiding in fear, yet God addressed him as a “mighty warrior.” This reminds us that God sees our potential and invites us to step into His purposes, even when we feel inadequate or unqualified. [30:02]
• 2. Shadow Beliefs Distort Our Spiritual Vision Deep-seated beliefs formed by past wounds or family dynamics can act like faulty code, causing “spiritual disorientation.” These shadow beliefs often surface under pressure, leading us to doubt God’s promises and our own worth. Recognizing and confronting these beliefs is essential for spiritual growth and for seeing ourselves as God sees us. [38:28]
• 3. God Is Not Afraid of Our Doubts or Our Past God patiently engages with our questions, doubts, and even repeated requests for reassurance, as He did with Gideon and the fleece. Our struggles do not disqualify us from His calling; rather, they become opportunities for God to demonstrate His faithfulness and to rewrite our internal narratives. [46:59]
• 4. Feeding on God’s Promises Renews Our Minds What we meditate on shapes our responses to life’s challenges. If we focus on our problems, they grow larger; if we focus on God’s promises and provision, our faith is strengthened. Regularly feeding our souls with Scripture and gratitude dissipates spiritual disorientation and aligns our thinking with God’s horizon for our lives. [50:33]
• 5. Small Steps of Obedience Lead to Greater Impact God values faithfulness in small beginnings and surrendered hearts over outward strength or numbers. Like Gideon’s 300 men, our small acts of obedience, humility, and gratitude can lead to victories that bring glory to God and become testimonies of His power. Success is a test of character—will we point to ourselves or to God as the source of our strength? [49:13]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [23:30] - Introduction to The Bridge Petoskey Ministry
• [26:25] - Setting the Stage: The Story of Gideon
• [28:16] - Israel’s Crisis and Cry for Help
• [28:58] - The Consequences of Sin and God’s Response
• [30:02] - God’s Unlikely Choice: Gideon’s Background
• [37:13] - The Attitude Indicator: Spiritual Disorientation
• [38:28] - Shadow Beliefs and Faulty Code
• [39:56] - Personal Story: Family Wounds and Shadow Beliefs
• [43:18] - Letting Jesus Rewrite Our Code
• [44:15] - Gideon’s First Steps and Ongoing Doubts
• [46:06] - The Fleece Test: Wrestling with Doubt
• [46:59] - God’s Patience and Gideon’s Breakthrough
• [47:35] - God’s Perspective and Our Calling
• [48:04] - Hearing God’s Voice: “Who Do You Say I Am?”
• [49:13] - Small Beginnings, Big Victories
• [50:33] - Feeding Your Soul: The Power of Meditation
• [56:40] - Cultivating Gratitude and Speaking Life
• [58:33] - Testimonies and Final Encouragement
• [59:23] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Reading

Judges 6–8** (Story of Gideon)<br>- **Psalm 118:24 — “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
- Romans 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Observation Questions

1. In Judges 6, what was Gideon doing when the angel of the Lord appeared to him, and how did the angel address him?
2. According to the sermon, what are “shadow beliefs,” and how do they show up in our lives?
3. What was the purpose of Gideon’s “fleece test” with God, and how did God respond to Gideon’s doubts?
4. In Romans 12:2, what does Paul say is the result of having a renewed mind?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God chose to call Gideon a “mighty warrior” even though Gideon was hiding and full of self-doubt? What does this reveal about how God sees us?
2. The sermon compares “shadow beliefs” to faulty lines of code in a computer. How can these hidden beliefs affect our relationship with God and our ability to trust His promises?
3. How does God’s patience with Gideon’s repeated doubts and requests for reassurance encourage us in our own struggles with faith?
4. According to Romans 12:2 and the sermon, what role does meditating on God’s promises play in renewing our minds and changing our perspective?

Application Questions

1. The sermon says, “Each day is a gift from God.” Are there specific regrets from your past or anxieties about the future that keep you from being present today? What is one step you can take this week to let go and be more present?
2. Think about your own “shadow beliefs”—those deep-down thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “I always mess up.” Can you identify one shadow belief that might be holding you back? What would it look like to bring this to God in prayer or talk about it with someone you trust?
3. Gideon needed repeated reassurance from God before he acted. When you sense God calling you to something, do you tend to hesitate or make excuses? What is one area where you feel God nudging you, and what’s your “but…”?
4. The sermon encourages us to “feed on God’s promises” instead of our problems. What is one promise from Scripture you can focus on this week when you feel overwhelmed or discouraged?
5. Gideon’s victory came through small steps of obedience, not big displays of strength. Is there a “small beginning” or act of obedience God is inviting you to take right now? How can you take that step this week, even if it feels insignificant?
6. The pastor shared about the importance of gratitude and speaking life. What are five things you can thank God for today? How might starting your day with gratitude change your outlook?
7. When you experience success, big or small, do you tend to take the credit or point to God? How can you make it a habit to give God the glory and share your testimony with others?