There has been a common theme running through the conversations and meetings we have been having during debrief. I have even had several conversations with people at home about this topic. So I decided it would be a good topic to write a blog about.
Let me start this by saying I have in no way mastered this. In actuality it is something I am just becoming aware that I do constantly and that others around me do constantly. It is this idea that we have to walk on eggshells around certain people and certain topics.
I do not know about you, but I do this A LOT! I have this fear of hurting people’s feelings and in turn having them reject me. In reality I cannot recall a time that that has ever happened, but in my mind I make up the worst case scenario. So I walk around not saying what I KNOW needs to be said, even if it may be an uncomfortable conversation, imagining things that may or may not really happen.
I know sounds crazy right!
Would it not just be easier, not to mention less stressful, to just say what needs to be said, to have the uncomfortable conversation so we can move past the uncomfortable into watching growth happen, not just for them, but for you too.
What I am learning is that I do this not only in conversations I need to have with friends, but in things that God is telling me to share with others. There have been times where I KNEW beyond I shadow of a doubt that I was supposed to say something to someone, to call them into greatness in God or to share an encouraging word from God with them but I kept my mouth shut. I felt like I had to walk on eggshells as to not offend them or make them upset when I knew the conversations where going to be hard. On the other side I thought “how can I share this word of encouragement with them when I don’t believe it or live it in my own life. They would call me a hypocrite and not believe me anyways.” So I kept my mouth shut.
But that cycle stops now. God has been showing me in the last few days that what I have to say matters. I have taken spiritual gift tests that tell me one of my highest spiritual gifts is wisdom. I have NEVER believed that, even though it has come up several times. I have let the lies of the enemy sink in and have thought that my voice, my thoughts, does not matter. But God is freeing me in these areas. I am slowly beginning to believe God has given me this gift. Because of that I have to start using it. I have to start following the prompting of the spirit and having those hard conversations and sharing the words of encouragement even if I am still struggling to believe them.
But this concept does not just apply to me. YOU have to do this to. You can no longer let the fear of others reactions dictate whether you obey what God is asking you to do. You can no longer shy away from the hard stuff so others will like you more. Because at the end of the day you cannot control how other people react to things. You can only control your obedience.
So I challenge you to keep an ear out for what God is asking you to do, to say, and then step out in faith and do it. I can’t promise it won’t be hard but I can promise it will be worth it because we serve a good God!
So start crushing those eggshells!
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Oh wow is God growing me! Especially these last few days during our debrief. I am so excited to see what else he has in store for me this month. But I still need your help! I am still $2,692 away from my next deadline which is on April 1st! Please prayerfully consider partnering with me in this journey! If you cannot give can you please share my blog with your friends? Either through Facebook or email. I know I am right where God wants me so I know he is going to provide! Thanks so much to all of you who have helped so far! It means so much!
