Hiding and afraid. Gideon and probably most people around him, did not see himself as a warrior. Like most people in Israel, he feared the Midianites, he was anxious as to where his family’s next meal would come. He was a weak, little man hiding in a cave, trying to thresh wheat in a winepress because of fear.
But suddenly God appeared.
He saw who he had created Gideon to be. He saw a leader. He saw a mighty warrior. He saw a slayer of Baal idols. He saw the true Gideon.
Who does God see when He looks at you? He sees a mighty warrior. A holy and blameless son or daughter. He sees you walking in your gifts, blessing others around you. He sees a fearless, strong, Satan butt kicker. He sees His glory imparted in you. He sees a masterpiece made in His image and created for good works. He sees the real you!
Gideon had trouble seeing himself as the Angel described him to be. Years of fear and anxiousness did not disappear in a moment. A lifetime of low self-esteem did not magically disappear in the morning. But as he cooperated with God, he eventually led an army and defeated Midian.
Let us, like Gideon, cooperate with the Holy Spirit and begin to believe who God says we are. As we do, fear, anxiousness, and low self-esteem will begin to dissipate. As we step out in faith and walk in obedience to what God calls us to do, we will break the chains of fear keeping us hiding in a cave.
See yourself as God sees you. You were created to make a difference. You were created to be a mighty warrior for God and lead others into freedom. You were not created to hide in a cave, with fear and anxiousness. Cooperate with Holy Spirit and allow it to lead you out of the cave and into your destiny.
“When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”
The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?”
The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.””
Judges 6:12, 14, 16 NIV