Talk Yourself Into Trying

February 6, 2008

By James Fields

Things looked really hopeless for Israel’s army. Many thousands of Philistines marched against King Saul, whose army numbered only about 3,000. Saul hesitated to attack his vastly superior adversary; day after day he talked himself out of trying to defeat the enemy. His defeatist attitude affected his men. Many deserted, and Saul ended up with a mere force of 600.

As Christians, we must refuse to talk ourselves out of trying the impossible. Are you talking yourself out of trying to witness? Have you convinced yourself there’s no need to try for a job promotion? Has life convinced you you’re unqualified to attempt anything worthwhile?

When we exercise our faith in God, the Holy Spirit will prod us toward tasks that call for more than our own resources of strength, wisdom or finances. That’s fine. God waits to do the miraculous through us.

Saul continued talking himself out of trying to attack, but his son Jonathan talked himself into striking the Philistine forces. In spite of his father’s cowardice, the army’s smallness and the lack of weapons, Jonathan talked himself into attacking a superior foe.

“Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, ‘Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few’ ” (1 Samuel 14:6, NIV).

Notice a word Jonathan used when he referred to the Lord. “Perhaps the Lord will act.”

Jonathan knew God would act — he just didn’t know how God would act. Jonathan’s word “perhaps” merely indicates he was willing to take a risk rather than talk himself out of attempting the impossible.

We cannot remove the element of risk whenever we move ahead with our plans, our dreams or our ambitions. People who talk themselves into trying the impossible accept the risks attached to life.

Jonathan chose to place uncertainty in God’s hands. His trust in God overcame his fear of risk-taking. He could not see the precise outcome of trying to succeed. But he could see the Lord, who controls whatever happens when we are willing to try.

When Jonathan acted on his desire to attack the enemy, God moved in his behalf. The Lord brought about a tremendous victory over the enemies of Israel.

With all the odds against him, Jonathan refused to talk himself out of trying. Where did he acquire such faith? He considered God his Partner. Faith in God propelled Jonathan to take action.

What about you, dear friend? God is your Partner on the job, in leading the family, in living the Christian life, in performing Christian service and in facing both pleasant and unpleasant times. Why not try achieving your dreams? Spend time talking yourself into trying … and relying on God to make the impossible possible.

— James and Delores Fields are veteran Assemblies of God pastors and former missionaries. They founded Comfort and Encouragement Ministries in 1997.