WHY NOT ME?

  Many of us are great cheerleaders for others: We coach…We encourage…We applaud. We are very good at assisting others with discovering and developing new skills. We will provide tools an resources to assist them. We see them achieving and becoming. Yet, we have difficulty motivating OURSELVES to fully pursue dreams and achieve goals. We coach others INTO their destiny and coach ourselves OUT of our destiny. We don’t  accept or co-sign others excuses for not pursuing dreams/ goals. Yet, we build upon the most minute excuse to talk ourselves out of pursuing our own dreams/ goals. Proverbs 23:7 tells us that what we believe in our hearts about ourselves is who we are! What do you believe about yourself?

We have to be very careful not to allow setbacks, disappointments, failures, and the opinion of others to develop our image of self. You are more than your mistakes and failures. Your skills and talent may not be perfected but take every opportunity to use them anyway. The more you use them, the more developed they become. I have talked myself out of great opportunities because I felt inadequate. My first boyfriend bought tickets for us to see a very popular play. I wanted to go but declined because I didn’t have an appropriate dress. Had I not been so ashamed and prideful, I could have asked for help. I would have at least been able to borrow a dress. I hurt two people that day: My boyfriend and MYSELF.

More recently, I had an opportunity to enter a contest showcasing my sewing skills. After I entered the contest, I began to talk myself out of it. The Holy Spirit told me that sometimes you have to bet on yourself! Philippians 4:13 tells us that we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us. As I worked on my garment, I felt defeated at points. But God surrounded me with a coaching team that did not let up on me! Did I finish? Yes! Was it a struggle? At times! But the finished garment was well received. Along the way, I had to trust the skills I have developed over the years. I had to see the garment finished before it actually was…I had to CHANGE the narrative I was creating about myself. Taking that step of faith reminded me that God has already equipped us to do great things. You have to see yourself as God sees you and WALK in it!