As I prepare to launch I’m wrestling with the beast of doubt. He attacks most often in the morning as I sit down in our sunroom to write. He whispers, “Not today. You don’t have anything to say. Nobody is going to read this anyway.”
Photo by DLR/ Thilo Kratz
I’ve spent a year strategizing the blog. Thrilled and excited at times. Frustrated at others. But always moving forward into what I feel God has called me to.
I’ve fought this beast for the whole time. Sometimes he slips away only to spring out when I least expect him.
But I know if I let him win today he wins forever.
So I change my tactics because I can’t beat him.
Instead I remember that no matter what happens with this writing, success or failure, I am fine. God has been with me through more critical times and always blessed me. I’m giving this back as a gift to him for all he has already given me. So it is his to do with as he wants.
He will bless me no matter the outcome.
Suddenly the beast slinks out. I discover peace again. Set free once more.
The ideas flow. My fingers stumble to keep up.
My future and success don’t depend on this so I’m free to launch. Take a chance. Try something new. Have fun with it.
I’m in the zone again. Joy has returned. I’m where I am supposed to be right now. And that is good.
I know the beast will creep back. But for now he’s banished.
Jeremiah, the prophet, relayed God’s promise, “I have great plans for you. Plans to prosper you not to harm you. Plans of an amazing future filled with hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
God promises a life filled with hope not harm.
Perhaps the beast of fear has snuck up on you. He’s whispering in your ear, “You can’t do this. Who do you think you are?”
So those dreams you’ve carried inside continue to be put off. And the frustration mounts.
You wonder, “How do I break free to follow my dream? How do I overcome these doubts?”
Because if you don’t at least try there’s an emptiness that haunts you.
You’ve not lived out all you could. And deep inside you feel it.
Yet, when we focus on the promise that as God’s child he loves and has great plans for us no matter our circumstances it takes off the pressure. When we rest in his love and grace, given to us simply because we asked, it sets us free.
And then our outlook changes.
We discover a peace that replaces fear.
We can focus on our goals rather than just react to our circumstances.
Enough love to launch our calling begins to fill us. We concentrate on the good we can do for others instead of our own insecurities. And that releases us to step out.
We gain confidence that no matter what happens with this venture we cannot fail in life because our father will not let us.
We have excitement that God is leading us into a new chapter of our lives. One he created us for from our beginning.
And that chains up the beast and gives us breathing room to launch.
The beast will return. He always does. But once we launch we win.
How have you overcome the beast? What happened?
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