Hey, guys !

I apologise for the lack of posts, it’s been a while, and writers block, once again. Although I do think that sometimes I do have the things in my mind to write, however, doubt creeps in and (I don’t know if anyone has ever felt like this, or heard this in their head) “It’s not good enough”.

Then it spirals from, that’s not good enough, to I’m not good enough, I’m just a…

So, that’s where this inspiration came from. Now, I can’t speak for everyone and there may be people reading who never doubt, and never feel like they aren’t enough, and that’s amazing. (And most likely a lie!). We probably all have been in a time where we just doubt. We limit ourselves based on our shortcomings. Or the things we see as shortcomings.

I saw this campaign for women’s sports “#LikeAGirl”. And as it is the women’s world cup, I’ve been hearing a lot of interviews and how people have been inspired to stop looking at themselves as “Just A Girl”.

How we perceive is often  the limitor to how far we can go. How we see ourselves is how we also see the world around us, and others too. Our mentality controls our mind, if we let it.

I remember when I was applying to do Psychology at University, and I was told “As a black girl, you shouldn’t do that, you won’t get a job, that sector isn’t for you.” And for a while I labelled myself with “I’m just a black girl, maybe I can’t”. Until I realised that there must be something within those people, which caused them to limit themselves, because they saw themselves as “Just a…”, which caused them to look at the world around them, and me who stood in front of them, and said she can’t also do something because she’s “just a…”.

And when I was praying once I got a revelation that how we speak of ourselves, and how we view ourselves limits what we accepts from the opportunities that are presented to us. If you feel that you’re not good enough to reach the top, you’ll never do something crazy, like the job you think you’re not good enough for. You’ll limit yourself, and apply your own glass ceiling, where you can see the opportunities but feel you can’t reach it. That’s also not diminishing the fact that often our backgrounds, our ethnicities, our gender can be things which get us set back from others, however, if we accept those and take them as ‘setbacks’ and apply them, they only limit how far we can go. If Serena saw herself as “Just a girl, or just a black girl”, would she have won so many championships? No, she would’ve stayed playing tennis at a local tennis place. What more of you, you have gifts within you, but if you’re perceiving yourself in a negative way, rather than looking at your potential for greatness, it’s sad.

God wants to use you, and those things that you use to look down on yourself. What we think we can’t do and can do is not the same thing as what God says.

A couple of months back I started reading Exodus and looked at Moses, and his story. When God called him, he used everything that he wasn’t in order to refuse where God wanted to take him. God called him, and he responded with “But I don’t speak good”. And a lot of us can relate to Moses.  “But I’m a…” “But I’m only a….” “But I’m just a…”. It’s almost the natural automatic response. When something good comes our way, our mind looks at the negative “But I’m not..”. However, God told Moses “I am”.

Instead of looking at what you can’t do, try looking at how that gives God the opportunity to do something you didn’t expect, through you. Don’t look at yourself as a product of the things you think limit you. But instead look at how God looks you. Look at yourself as working towards the greatest version of yourself! And the best person you can be.

Who is your mirror? 

We can’t see our ourselves, unless we look at a reflection or are described by someone else. If you’re walking out of the house with toothpaste on the side of your mouth, you won’t notice it, until you look in a reflection of something. Often, we may look to others to describe who we are, and hence why we get peoples’ own insecurities being portrayed onto us. Instead, take time to find out what the Word say about you? Who best to ask about yourself than the one who made you?

If God has called you to do something, don’t look down on yourself, limiting yourself. Instead, know that the one who has called you, is the one who will give you the strength to do it. Philippians 2:13 [NIV] ^{13 “}for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose”, and the [NKJV] ¹³ for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”

God is the one who works in you, and He gives you the will and the ability to do, what HE has called you and what He wants you to do! What does His word say about you?

Practical tip:  When your doubts kick in, fight them, with the word. Find a scripture which counteracts the negative words we say to ourselves, or what the devil may whisper. I’ll list a few:

• Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”

• Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

• Romans 8:37 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

• Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,”Says the Lord.” 

• 1 Corinthians 15:10 “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all, yet not I but the grace of God which was with me”

• Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

• Exodus 14:14 “The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace”

• Psalms 139:14 “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.”

• Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

• Psalms 37:23-24“The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the LORD upholds his hand”

Read more: https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/21-empowering-bible-verses-to-read-today/#ixzz5rxJ6AKFy   https://www.theodysseyonline.com/empowering-verses-women

Therefore, my encouragement on this wonderful wednesday is don’t limit yourself, according to what you perceive to be a limiter. Allow God to use what you have, and allow yourself to become the best that you can be! And more!

Don’t look at yourself as “Just a”. Don’t put yourself down. Believe that you can do all things through Christ! All. Things.

Have a blessed day!

I’m gonna put a sermon down here, which really blessed me!

taken from the message: My Maker is My Mirror – Elevation Church.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHYcKWHcDEE

God bless you, once again

~ Peace, Joy and Love

TK x