This past week I took a pair of handcuffs and latched my hands. Knowing there were no keys I snapped them closed confident that I could pick the locks open.....
Hours later I was still trapped, and though just my hands were bound, this affected my ability to get anything accomplished.
No I am not that idle, but I have been thinking a lot about how my own doubts affect my life; very much as though I snapped a pair of handcuffs on my hands, and tried to accomplish my purpose. I realized that self-doubt in many ways play the role of cuffing my hands without having to execute the activity in a literal sense.
IT'S HARD TO SECURELY GRASP ANYTHING
You have the ideas, and the tools but doubt prevents us from getting thing done. We come up with all the reasons why it will not work out. Consequently, the drive and aggression to see things through is non-existent. Great faith but no works- death. Doubt is a dream killer.
LOSS OF BALANCE
Self-doubt kills determination. We are not sure what we want, and so we are all over the place. You decide you want to start your own business, and just when you make your decision of coarse, someone decides to give their advice; and the advice always comes from the ones you never solicited. They always know why your idea is crazy, and before you know it your idea to open a restaurant becomes a plan to set up a pop-corn stand on the street corner, because you doubt that your purpose will materialize.
I love my Mom, but she can be very negative at times. I went to her about a side business I wanted to do, and the first thing from her mouth was "what to have all that unsold product on your hands?" I was somewhat crushed, and blamed her for the fact that I abandoned my idea, but it was my fault. If this was what I really wanted to do self-confidence should have driven me to prove all the reasons why my endeavor would succeed.
SETTLING
Try sitting up from a lying position with your hands tied. It is a bit of a challenge, and somewhat demotivating. If we had to function like that we would probably want to lie in bed a little bit longer every morning. I realize that self-doubt does the same thing. Can you think of a lot of unfinished projects that you were really excited about when they were just ideas? How about the comfort zone we sit in because we are afraid to fail at something new; settling to keep our hands cuffed. We even go further as to justify our decision to stay tied up. After all, we can still walk, and the rest of the body still works. I just need to make the best of this. Also, when self-doubt cuffs us it is really difficult to get up from a down position when things, people, or life knock us over. I have realized that confidence goes a long way when life happens.
VULNERABILITY
When we tie our hands up with self doubt we become more dependent on others than we really should be. Have you ever met someone who can't make decision on their own, and is constantly seeking validation from others. My brother is a computer wiz so I always ask him for help whenever I have technical issues. One day he told me I was using him as a crutch. I was offended at first, but it pushed me to try and figure things out myself by researching the problems. Calling my brother became a last resort. I realized I was more capable than I thought. I was able to walk without the crutches, but my vulnerability never allowed me to try.
I watch people walking their dogs, and it amuses me to see that as excited as the dog gets to chase something that catches his/her eyes, he only gets so far and then the owner snaps the leash. Self-doubt owns us, and limits our ability to reach our goals.
SS Writer
Soul Stimulation is not your average blog, its a resource of motivation for your soul (YOUR mind, YOUR will, YOUR emotions). Allow the articles, which are written by various writers, to incite your dormant places and excite your bored places. No matter your race, gender, religion, sexuality, or age...become reinvented as your soul becomes stimulated.
Revised Definitions
"Wonder if we tried a new thing
Looked inside, see what we can bring.
Forget who you're supposed to be.
Take all crazy flavors, show them off to me.
If we dare to wonder about what holds us down,
the fears, the doubts,
Could we spark something, watch it grow?
Be more wonder-filled than we know."
If you have been watching television lately, you have probably watched an Oreo cookie advertisement with a very catchy tune and the above lyrics written across the screen.
I have always thought that God doesn't speak to me, because I never had a "Burning Bush" experience. Also, I never had a prophet point me out at church to tell me God's great plans for my life. I never even had the messenger experience; you know when someone comes up to you and says that the Lord told them to tell you..... Come to think about it, I don't aspire to have the kind of relationship with a god who sits in a circle, and plays "pass the message". As a matter of fact from experience I have learned that in those scenarios a piece of the message always gets twisted.
I am realizing that if I have a close relationship with God He does not have to start a fire to get my attention. I am learning to embrace His simple but powerful "ah hah" moments.
This Oreo song struck a cord for me. Thousands, probably millions spent to get consumers to embrace the Oreo cookie as much more than two dark chocolate discs with a white cream filling in the middle. The makers of the ad drew the viewer in because we can all identify.
We struggle to show our own "crazy flavors" because we are often boxed in by the fear of not being who others perceive us to be. We place our own suffocating definitions on our lives. The mention of just a few words instantly bring just one image to mind for most of us;
Beauty- be honest, most of us think of some model airbrushed or spanxed into existence.
How about the word "Educated"-Harvard right?
How about Beauty- size 12, pleasantly plump, and the wash board stomach got washed away?
Educated- couldn't afford college but I learned on the job and worked my way up.
Come on admit it. If you are on an online dating site and you have a university degree, you probably cringe when you realize that a suitor's education description is listed as "high school".
In December 2013 Oxford Dictionary was updated to include 500 new words, and more than 1000 revisions of words and phrase because of usage.
What aspect of your life do you need to redefine? What skills are lying dormant that you need to put to use?
The only peace you need, you'll get from your one on ones with God. Get off the phone. You have Googled enough testimonials about using a parachute. Now jump!
SS Writer
Looked inside, see what we can bring.
Forget who you're supposed to be.
Take all crazy flavors, show them off to me.
If we dare to wonder about what holds us down,
the fears, the doubts,
Could we spark something, watch it grow?
Be more wonder-filled than we know."
If you have been watching television lately, you have probably watched an Oreo cookie advertisement with a very catchy tune and the above lyrics written across the screen.
I have always thought that God doesn't speak to me, because I never had a "Burning Bush" experience. Also, I never had a prophet point me out at church to tell me God's great plans for my life. I never even had the messenger experience; you know when someone comes up to you and says that the Lord told them to tell you..... Come to think about it, I don't aspire to have the kind of relationship with a god who sits in a circle, and plays "pass the message". As a matter of fact from experience I have learned that in those scenarios a piece of the message always gets twisted.
I am realizing that if I have a close relationship with God He does not have to start a fire to get my attention. I am learning to embrace His simple but powerful "ah hah" moments.
This Oreo song struck a cord for me. Thousands, probably millions spent to get consumers to embrace the Oreo cookie as much more than two dark chocolate discs with a white cream filling in the middle. The makers of the ad drew the viewer in because we can all identify.
We struggle to show our own "crazy flavors" because we are often boxed in by the fear of not being who others perceive us to be. We place our own suffocating definitions on our lives. The mention of just a few words instantly bring just one image to mind for most of us;
Beauty- be honest, most of us think of some model airbrushed or spanxed into existence.
How about the word "Educated"-Harvard right?
How about Beauty- size 12, pleasantly plump, and the wash board stomach got washed away?
Educated- couldn't afford college but I learned on the job and worked my way up.
Come on admit it. If you are on an online dating site and you have a university degree, you probably cringe when you realize that a suitor's education description is listed as "high school".
In December 2013 Oxford Dictionary was updated to include 500 new words, and more than 1000 revisions of words and phrase because of usage.
What aspect of your life do you need to redefine? What skills are lying dormant that you need to put to use?
The only peace you need, you'll get from your one on ones with God. Get off the phone. You have Googled enough testimonials about using a parachute. Now jump!
SS Writer
Go To Your Room God
You probably have done this yourself before, or watched someone cover a child's ears up, or instruct them to do it, so something out of line can be said. I am probably not the only one who has done this to God, but I'll speak for myself.
There have been times when that sin is soooo sweet I have said "Lord, if you could just excuse me for a bit. Better yet Lord, go to your room for a while because this stuff is too adult for your eyes and ears.There are some things that just don't seem to be as effective when done the Christian way Lord. There are some people that I can't give a piece of my mind in the PG 13 way.
Lord I know I have been keeping my body, but another birthday just passed. It's raining on the tin roof, and Barry White just set the stage. Lord I am sorry but I have to make a phone call. So Lord I need you to just cover your ears and eyes for a bit. But Lord when I say Hallelujah that will be your queue to take center stage again."
"Ok Lord, I'm ready for you to come out of Your room now. It's your time now Lord. Lord why aren't you answering when I call You. I am sorry I got myself into this mess. Lord please You can stop covering your ears now. I need you. I promise, if you get me out of this one you can be a part of every aspect of my life again."
In the theatre production of life there is only one center stage spotlight. It means I have to exit for him to play the lead role in my life. That's hard though- everyone wants the lead part. But think about it- the Oscar for SUPPORTING actor or actress goes to the one who best enhances the role of the one who takes the center stage of a production.
Lord I know I have been keeping my body, but another birthday just passed. It's raining on the tin roof, and Barry White just set the stage. Lord I am sorry but I have to make a phone call. So Lord I need you to just cover your ears and eyes for a bit. But Lord when I say Hallelujah that will be your queue to take center stage again."
"Ok Lord, I'm ready for you to come out of Your room now. It's your time now Lord. Lord why aren't you answering when I call You. I am sorry I got myself into this mess. Lord please You can stop covering your ears now. I need you. I promise, if you get me out of this one you can be a part of every aspect of my life again."
In the theatre production of life there is only one center stage spotlight. It means I have to exit for him to play the lead role in my life. That's hard though- everyone wants the lead part. But think about it- the Oscar for SUPPORTING actor or actress goes to the one who best enhances the role of the one who takes the center stage of a production.
Support- give assistance to; enable to function or act.
So we have to enable/allow God to take over. God will not push Himself into the leading role. We want to play our role, run our mouths, do things our way because the attention feels good. Mean while God waits patiently in the back stage area of our life. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in soothing ourselves with false success, soon we are attempting to run God's lines as well. I don't care how stellar we feel we've performed, but we are often forced to realize that life is not the appropriate stage for a monologue. If I never shut up and allow God to lead, my own success is short lived. God has a way of making me look good, so I am learning to allow Him to gain the praise, loop my arm through His, work it, and execute the princess wave.
SS Writer
SS Writer
Robotics
For most, if not all of us we become a bit peeved when someone belts out a command at us without those magic words ("Please/Thank you"). It doesn't matter how meek or humble you are. If someone walks up to you and demands that you execute a specific behavior, it tends to wake up that sleeping beast inside of you. Your hair stands on end, the veins in your forehead pulse, and the body goes into pounce mode. The boss, the spouse, the best friend- they all feel the wrath if anyone is to command you to do anything, especially if they cherry top their sentence with the word "NOW".
Ironically though, as defensive as I get when I think someone is trying to control me, I give people the remote to my life more often than I think. When I allow someone's statement to activate my hot button, and disrupt my peace or contentment I forfeit the authority God has given me.
For example, I know that I am wonderfully made. I know I am special, and because of this I love and accept me for who I am. This view did not come naturally. I had to program myself to believe this, and consequently I have a peace within me.
Now here comes Sally who unfortunately has not learned the practice of closing the mouth if there is nothing good to say, " Hey girl, where are you going with all that weight?"
Operation Shut down
In a matter of minutes she now holds the remote, and has pressed a hot button that disrupts the peace I had about loving me. My mode of thinking changes, and the clothes in which I once felt like a Diva, now make me feel like a dumpling. Overnight, everything is suddenly too tight, and I start seeing every other female as more beautiful or sexier than I am.
For me it was a physical appearance, for others it may be a comment about an inability to land a promotion, or achieve a goal. We are at peace, then we hand over the remote allowing someone to activate that hot button.
Often we say that something or someone gets on our last nerve, but that is an occurrence that we allow.
Although we cannot control the actions of others, we choose the extent to which these circumstance rob us of our peace.
Anonymous Writer
Ironically though, as defensive as I get when I think someone is trying to control me, I give people the remote to my life more often than I think. When I allow someone's statement to activate my hot button, and disrupt my peace or contentment I forfeit the authority God has given me.
For example, I know that I am wonderfully made. I know I am special, and because of this I love and accept me for who I am. This view did not come naturally. I had to program myself to believe this, and consequently I have a peace within me.
Now here comes Sally who unfortunately has not learned the practice of closing the mouth if there is nothing good to say, " Hey girl, where are you going with all that weight?"
Operation Shut down
In a matter of minutes she now holds the remote, and has pressed a hot button that disrupts the peace I had about loving me. My mode of thinking changes, and the clothes in which I once felt like a Diva, now make me feel like a dumpling. Overnight, everything is suddenly too tight, and I start seeing every other female as more beautiful or sexier than I am.
For me it was a physical appearance, for others it may be a comment about an inability to land a promotion, or achieve a goal. We are at peace, then we hand over the remote allowing someone to activate that hot button.
Often we say that something or someone gets on our last nerve, but that is an occurrence that we allow.
Although we cannot control the actions of others, we choose the extent to which these circumstance rob us of our peace.
Anonymous Writer
No Condemnation
For a very long time I held in my mind a very warped image of God. Someone with a big stick waiting to whack me when I did wrong. After the whack, it meant that He would not want to have anything to do with me for the next few days. I felt that if I was guilty of a sin, I had no business trying to help anyone with their struggles; as if God's voice was saying, " Who are you to talk to someone else when you are guilty of the same thing. I was afraid to embrace marriage, because I felt that because I was in an adulterous relationship before, God was going to wait till I was married to make my husband cheat on me. I did not understand that God was not a God of Karma.
Of all the majestic names of God my favorite is Abba Father, even simpler- Daddy.
I have been reprimanded for wrong doing several times by my earthly father, but he never turned his back on me because of what I did. It always amazes me that when a young girl becomes pregnant under controversial circumstances, all the hoopla is over when the baby is born, it is as though the drama never happened.
Isn't our God an even greater parent. Most of the time the only one pointing the finger is the person we see in the mirror.
I read the story of Jonah several times, but it recently dawned on me that even after Jonah blatantly ran the other way in disobedience to God, God still chose him to witness to the people of Nineveh. Jonah had just finished demonstrating his own waywardness. Who was he to tell others about their behavior? Jonah embraced his second chance.
Though God's mercy is not our ticket to "sin splurge" and then ask for forgiveness. We disqualify ourselves by not receiving the second, third, and fourth chances God presents to us daily. Live again...there's no condemnation.
Work it! Accentuate the Positive...
Fashionista or not, when it comes to style we all have a particular outfit(s) or suit(s) that we have worn more than others because it tends to showcase what we deem to be our greatest physical assets; our complexion, eyes, height, front- load, back load etc. When we prepare our resume for a job interview we don't boast about the times that we were documented for tardiness, or the fact that there are some instances at our previous jobs where we struggled to perform. Instead, the fact that you spoke a few sentences at a team meeting, translates in resume language as "Motivate team members to exceed departmental goals".
My own self esteem started to increase when I started to take steps to actively identify the positive things about me, once I knew what they were, I started focusing on those skills instead of the things I don't do very well. I always wished I could sing. News Flash - my voice is better when blended in with others. I love art and I am very creative. I realized it would be more beneficial to me to invest the time into researching and learning about techniques and tools that would enhance my creativity instead of trying to see how many glasses my voice could shatter.
"Confidence is all about being positive about what you can do- and not worrying about what you can't do."- Joyce Meyer
As much as I love Sushi, I would not buy it from KFC if they started selling it. Chicken is what they do best, and the company's focus is to improve the taste of chicken- not fish, and not burgers like several of their competing fast food outlets.
Confidence increases when you know what your chicken is, and you market it with your head held high. You find yourself not being threatened by what others view as success because you are secure that what you offer is "Finger Lickin' Good".
SS Writer
My own self esteem started to increase when I started to take steps to actively identify the positive things about me, once I knew what they were, I started focusing on those skills instead of the things I don't do very well. I always wished I could sing. News Flash - my voice is better when blended in with others. I love art and I am very creative. I realized it would be more beneficial to me to invest the time into researching and learning about techniques and tools that would enhance my creativity instead of trying to see how many glasses my voice could shatter.
"Confidence is all about being positive about what you can do- and not worrying about what you can't do."- Joyce Meyer
As much as I love Sushi, I would not buy it from KFC if they started selling it. Chicken is what they do best, and the company's focus is to improve the taste of chicken- not fish, and not burgers like several of their competing fast food outlets.
Confidence increases when you know what your chicken is, and you market it with your head held high. You find yourself not being threatened by what others view as success because you are secure that what you offer is "Finger Lickin' Good".
SS Writer
Faithful
FAITHFUL...
Strict or thorough in the performance of duty
True to one's word, promises, vows, etc.
Steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: faithful friends.
Reliable, trusted, or believed.
Adhering or true to fact, a standard, or an original;
Accurate: a faithful account
"Lord you told me that I have the ability to ride this bike so I am going to start pedaling. I know that it might appear scary at first, and I might get a few scratches in the process, but everything will be fine because You have my back. You are FAITHFUL so You will always be by my side to ensure that all is well. But Lord it's not that I am doubting Your capabilities, I'm just saying that in case Your hand gets tired when holding the back of the seat, or You get distracted, I am just going to keep my training wheels on as extra support."
The word faithful describes one of the many characteristics of God, and has become almost cliched in the life of many of us. It's in a million songs, and it is a staple part of any word of encouragement we share with each other. Yet, I realize that when it is time to apply what we have learned about God's faithfulness to real life situations, we haven't really captured the meaning in terms of our relationship with God.
Though I say my God is faithful, I have to sign a prenup just in case He lets me down.
Yes, I know God told me that He would provide the right job for me but, while He is providing, I'll just settle for a half-opportunity down the street. He told me that He would provide the right one for me, but I am almost 40. Paul seems to be an Ok guy. He has no ambition, a whole lot of baggage, and he doesn't treat me the way I deserve to be treated but the clock is ticking.
I recently realized what it meant to have a true understanding of God's faithfulness.
It means that I will not stress over stuff. I have always been grateful for the magnificent relationship I have with my Dad. When he says he will do something I always have a peace, knowing that its done. God's faithfulness surpasses that of any human so why do I stress?
God's faithfulness eliminates "what if".
If I believe that God is faithful then I will trust Him. I will be confident in myself because God has my back. I will not allow the words of others to sway me from my purpose.
Because I know God is faithful, it means He will come through.
I can boldly give birth to any promise He has for me. If He says that He will always provide, and I don't pay my tithe because things are tight, I am telling God that I don't really trust that He is faithful to provide.
Trusting in God's faithfulness means that I know He holds the blue print for my life. He already knows the successful completion, therefore during construction period when things don't look attractive at all I can take a " chill pill" because it has to turn out right.
My God is- Strict or thorough in the performance of duty
My God is-True to one's word, promises, vows, etc.
My God is- Steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: faithful friends.
My God is- Reliable, trusted, or believed.
My God is- Adhering or true to fact, a standard, or an original;
My God is-Accurate: a faithful account.
Strict or thorough in the performance of duty
True to one's word, promises, vows, etc.
Steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: faithful friends.
Reliable, trusted, or believed.
Adhering or true to fact, a standard, or an original;
Accurate: a faithful account
"Lord you told me that I have the ability to ride this bike so I am going to start pedaling. I know that it might appear scary at first, and I might get a few scratches in the process, but everything will be fine because You have my back. You are FAITHFUL so You will always be by my side to ensure that all is well. But Lord it's not that I am doubting Your capabilities, I'm just saying that in case Your hand gets tired when holding the back of the seat, or You get distracted, I am just going to keep my training wheels on as extra support."
The word faithful describes one of the many characteristics of God, and has become almost cliched in the life of many of us. It's in a million songs, and it is a staple part of any word of encouragement we share with each other. Yet, I realize that when it is time to apply what we have learned about God's faithfulness to real life situations, we haven't really captured the meaning in terms of our relationship with God.
Though I say my God is faithful, I have to sign a prenup just in case He lets me down.
Yes, I know God told me that He would provide the right job for me but, while He is providing, I'll just settle for a half-opportunity down the street. He told me that He would provide the right one for me, but I am almost 40. Paul seems to be an Ok guy. He has no ambition, a whole lot of baggage, and he doesn't treat me the way I deserve to be treated but the clock is ticking.
I recently realized what it meant to have a true understanding of God's faithfulness.
It means that I will not stress over stuff. I have always been grateful for the magnificent relationship I have with my Dad. When he says he will do something I always have a peace, knowing that its done. God's faithfulness surpasses that of any human so why do I stress?
God's faithfulness eliminates "what if".
If I believe that God is faithful then I will trust Him. I will be confident in myself because God has my back. I will not allow the words of others to sway me from my purpose.
Because I know God is faithful, it means He will come through.
I can boldly give birth to any promise He has for me. If He says that He will always provide, and I don't pay my tithe because things are tight, I am telling God that I don't really trust that He is faithful to provide.
Trusting in God's faithfulness means that I know He holds the blue print for my life. He already knows the successful completion, therefore during construction period when things don't look attractive at all I can take a " chill pill" because it has to turn out right.
My God is- Strict or thorough in the performance of duty
My God is-True to one's word, promises, vows, etc.
My God is- Steady in allegiance or affection; loyal; constant: faithful friends.
My God is- Reliable, trusted, or believed.
My God is- Adhering or true to fact, a standard, or an original;
My God is-Accurate: a faithful account.
Anonymous Writer
House of Cards
As the new year is upon us we automatically get into planning mode, mapping out what we want to achieve for the year; get a promotion, buy a house, relocate, get married, get a degree.... and the list goes on. When we have finally completed stacking our plans, here comes God to blow our house of cards down. We get upset because after all God is not a liar and He said He would grant us the desires of our heart.
Sometimes when reading the Bible I am guilty of only focusing on the juicy scriptures that seem to benefit me, while skimming over the not so exciting parts. I understand that He will give me the desires of my heart, but there is a catch- only if I seek Him first.
This means that I need to have a sit down session with the head of my corporation/ life (God) to ensure that my plan is in line with the one He has in mind for me. If this is not so then my plan becomes obsolete. Don't you just hate it when you put everything into accomplishing something just to find out that you wasted your time?
It helped a lot when I realized that with God It was best to have an open mind. Some of God's plans I must admit can be a bit loony ( in my eyes). Sometimes my perception of good, and His perception of good are totally off. I have had to trade logic for loony several times, and just trust that He already knows that the end result will be great.
For my high school prom, my greatest wish was to walk in on the arms of a heart throb with whom I'd give anything to be his princess and gallop off into the sunset. The man was "the bomb dot com".
I got my wish- at least the prom part. I entered the ballroom as though Cinderella had coined her night, but I spent the duration of the night playing dodge-date. After the first dance where he loudly counted out the steps in between taking in how cute he thought he was, this Cinderella's midnight could not have come sooner. This scenario brings to mind the fact that sometimes what we think is great for us based on outward appearances, or advice from others becomes the total opposite.
I have learned that when God's shows me a way that may not be all that attractive the journey is successful when I spend the time seeking out the blessings that are wrapped up in each detour. Just like a Word Find puzzle that starts off being a bunch of scrambled up letters I begin to get the message, and it always make sense in the end.
Anonymous Writer
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