Ready or Not…

“We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.” 2 Corinthians 3:4-5

It’s been a loooooooong week! On top of it being the beginning of the month, which is always hectic for me, I had a conference for one of my organizations that took all of my attention for three and half days (forgive me for being so tardy with this entry!) But it was those activities this past week and over the weekend that have inspired the words I have for you today. In addition to being a budding therapist and a mental health activist I am also a graphic designer/brand developer. And through that talent of mine I’ve seen many doors open for me that I never dreamed possible. Some of that was brought into conversation just last night. Someone who had seen my work and never met me before was showering me with compliments and even spoke about future roles in higher places as where she could see me. I panicked. Flattering as it was and Confident as I try to be, I instantly thought of the workload having that kind of position would mean and I got stressed. Cue Anxiety attack. I was able to laugh it off but her words have been sitting with me since she uttered them and what it means for my Confidence.

Has anything like that ever happened to you? Where someone showers you with praise you don’t think you’re worthy of? Or mentioned opportunities you don’t think you’re for? What do you do? Do you let the opportunity pass you by? Or do you put on a brave face and own your skills and move forward? Now I know you know what the thing you SHOULD do is… Move forward! But I also know that that’s easier said than done and I’m here to affirm your forward motion!

Affirmation 1: You’ve got this! People can be generous with their words, but if you’ve heard something time and time again… pay attention to it. They obviously see something in you even if you don’t see it in yourself so walk in their Confidence in you while building up the Confidence in yourself!

Affirmation 2: Ready or not… here you come! There is NOTHING wrong with owning your moment to shine and shining as bright as you can! So when that door opens, walk through it with the confidence you want to have and learn to manage the stress. You don’t ever want to let the stress you’re not ready for keep you from opportunity. And you can never be fully ready for stress because it can come about unexpectedly no matter how much you prepare. My best advise: prepare for the unexpected and give yourself grace to get through it.

And Affirmation 3: God Qualified You! When you’re humble and accept God’s role in the outcome of your life you know you didn’t get where you are by yourself. You know that God made a way for you to do what you do and keeps blessing you with those gifts. So while you’re knowing that, also know that God qualified you for your success as well! “It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.” (2 Corinthians 3:5″ Paul knew he needed God to order and bless his steps because he had a lot of opposition. But he was able to help thousands of people and dozens of cities come to and stay with Christ. That’s because God qualified his work AND his success. And He’ll qualify you as well!

So take em with you: You’ve got this, ready or not… here you come, and God qualified you! If you make this your mantra for the week I just know you’ll have a more pleasant one than not! I love you, and keep conquering!