I’m wired in a way where I’d rather stay in what’s comfortable then drown in deep waters. I don’t like the possibility of not gliding across waters with ease. Sure, there have been moments where I’ve done things that were extremely uncomfortable for me, but that was because I lost the battle of jumping in on my own and the Lord intervened to just push me in Himself.
Those are always really amusing moments that happen more than they should because of my strong grip on controlling my own destiny that the Lord laughs upon seeing.
I’ve often found myself discouraged by my own thoughts. For example, I love to write. I would love to write for a living, but I often wonder what people will think about what I write and if they will judge me as trying to be someone I’m not when at the root of it all this is exactly who I am. I’ve always loved to write, I’ve been writing in some shape or form for as long as I can remember. I love to journal. I tend to find myself writing out my prayers in order to process them further, so in my heart of hearts I know that what I assume people will think is quite the opposite of the truth.
I assume the worst, and I’ve seen many of my friends assume the same whether that’s in finding a job, what city they’re moving to in May, dreaming too big, etc. Many have been discouraged that they’re too young to do what they want to do.
I’ve got friends afraid of sharing dreams of small businesses they want to create because they know people will discourage them from trying. Why don’t we want those around us to succeed? You cannot fail if you do not try but that’s exactly the point for some: they would rather not try and be unable to fail than try and not succeed. The pressure of having to succeed is in place not only by our own consciences but the society that we live in.
Everyone always talks about not letting fear stop you from trying and that sounds nice and all but instead of just telling people that why don’t we build up our own friends’ ideas and come along side them so they have even more resources to succeed? Failure will inevitably happen but if the Lord is calling someone to do something then we should help them in whatever way we can whether that’s through prayer, helping them fine tune their ideas, just being an encouragement, whatever they may need. Seems simple but we seem to fall short of seeing this through.
In this day and age, we live in a world where we constantly get to reinvent ourselves. We don’t have to have a career path that we’ll stick to for the rest of our lives. We just get to live each day to the fullest and know that the Lord will provide us with the rest. It’s easy to get bogged down in what we should be doing and forget that our plan has already been written.
You’re going to have to try some things and they may not work and that’s a part of growing, but it’s impossible to go through those seasons if we limit what God is capable of.
I love the song by Belonging Co. featuring Lauren Daigle called “Peace Be Still.” The lyrics are so applicable to every day:
I don’t want to be afraid
Every time I face the waves
I don’t want to be afraid
I don’t want to be afraid
I don’t want to fear the storm
Just because I hear it roar
I don’t want to fear the storm
I don’t want to fear the storm
[Chorus]
Peace be still
Say the word and I will
Set my feet upon the sea
Till I’m dancing in the deep
Oh, peace be still
You are here so it is well
Even when my eyes can’t see
I will trust the voice that speaks.
I want to truly trust that the Lord will provide, I don’t want for Him to do exactly what He says He will do for me to believe again and again that He will show up and show out. I want to dream and know that I’m capable of anything through Christ and really truly believe that.
But I also have to pause for a second and remember I may have to exchange my dreams for His. I’m pretty good at deciphering whether or not I’m following my will or His will (just not very skilled at surrendering into His will) so I also think we have to reflect and ponder whether what we’re dreaming is selfishly ours or selflessly His.
And in that moment I think we’ll see exactly what He intends for this season, regardless of whether it may end in what the world sees as failure. What the world sees as failure God sees as growth.
I’ve read/listened to some really incredible books and podcasts the past few weeks that I want to share with you in hopes they’ll help you grow and learn too!
Books:
The Road Back To You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile (It’s about the enneagram and has helped me empathize with those who don’t think like me so much more. Incredible read and based on Biblical truths!)
How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie (This book has been around for decades but I just got my hands on it and have already learned so much from it)
Podcasts:
SHE podcast by Jordan Lee Dooley (This podcast is for women ages 18-32 and talks about topics that women struggle with from decluttering their spaces to how to push past fear and navigate what the Lord has for you)
That Sounds Fun podcast by Annie F. Downs (She interviews many celebrity believers and it is incredible and so encouraging! I’m trying to become best friends with Annie F. Downs when I get to Nashville.)
Hope this encourages you today!
xo,
msv
Mary Spencer Veazey 