When God Speaks Identity Before He Solves the Problem.

Written By Rebecca Johnson

In Judges 6, Gideon isn’t leading or praying boldly, he’s hiding. He is threshing wheat in a winepress to protect it from the Midianites, doing his best to survive.

Yet in that fearful moment, the Angel of the Lord was already watching him.

Before Gideon knew it, God was preparing him.

And often, the same is true for us.

When the Angel speaks, He doesn’t start by fixing Gideon’s situation. Instead, He says:

“The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” (Judges 6:12)

Gideon feels afraid, but God speaks identity.

When we are struggling, we want God to focus on the problem, but God focuses on who we are becoming, because identity shapes how we face the battle.

Gideon responds honestly: “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened?”

Many of us have asked the same question. But instead of explaining everything, God gives Gideon instruction: “Go in the strength you have.” (Judges 6:14)

God doesn’t wait until Gideon feels ready. He calls him to move with what he already has.

For a long time, I thought that if God didn’t remove the struggle immediately, it meant He didn’t care. But Gideon’s story shows the opposite.

God sees the situation, but He also sees the destiny.

As Isaiah reminds us: “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways.” (Isaiah 55:8)

What feels like a setback may actually be preparation.

You may feel hidden.
You may feel unsure.
You may feel unqualified.

But God may already be preparing you.

Sometimes He doesn’t calm the storm right away, because He is calling out the warrior within you.