I AM EMBRACING BRILLIANCE

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

My light cannot put out darkness if I keep it hidden from sight.

How do you feel about bragging? Are you the type of person that doesn’t like when people talk a lot about what they have or what they’ve done? Do you think it’s better to be humble, and let your work speak for itself? So I’m a solid mix of the two. I don’t typically take issue with people letting you know about the good things happening in their lives… especially when they’re equally vocal about the woes. But I struggle big time with talking about my good news. I don’t even like to humble brag. Because what if someone else doesn’t think I’m as good as I think I am? What if I’m fooling myself into thinking I’m as good as I think I am. What if people are lying when they say they like my work? What if they’re saying good things to my face but laughing at me behind my back? Nope. The way my anxiety is set up… no thanks to a spiral down that rabbit hole.

And it’s easy to say it’s all in your head… until it isn’t. Once, I had a friend tell another friend that she didn’t understand why I couldn’t “wait my turn” to share something good that had happened to me when somebody else had shared that something good had happened to them (And no, it wasn’t the person who also had good news.) That definitely solidified that I need to just let other people figure out for themselves if I’m worth celebrating. And I am in a season of serious conviction for being this way. I like to think that my esteem is pretty much intact. I don’t think poorly of myself, I believe in my abilities, I like my friends and family and I’m pretty content with my life and the pace at which I’m living. But I don’t always think OTHER people see me the way I see myself, and that’s hard. That can do a number on your mental. And because I don’t always think other people value me… I can hide. But that’s not how brilliance works.

Brilliance has multiple meanings: intense brightness of light… vividness of color… exceptional talent or intelligence. Some of us have them all. And the scripture says “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). So let me ask you… how does God get the glory if you refuse to shine? You let that sink in while we get to these affirmations.

Affirmation 1: Brilliance is not a burden. Burdens way you down and light, color and exception are supposed to bring hope and joy. If you stop looking at your good things as something that is bothersome to anyone and instead look at it as something that can help others, the burden part slips away and you can begin to find joy in your brilliance again.

Affirmation 2: Light is meant to shine. The entire purpose of light is to make things visible. Light helps us to see. Without light brightening up the place, darkness can become an overwhelming space where things that require shadows to survive can thrive. You are a vessel of light for those around you, whether you think it or not. Start to look at yourself for the value you bring and know that letting your light shine is a beautiful not a burdensome thing. And you only need a little to fill an entire room. Shine!

Affirmation 3: I am embracing brilliance. From this moment forward, you are no longer hiding your light, your color, your exceptional talent or intelligence because somebody convinced you that you were too much. No ma’am. No sir. From this moment forward you are embracing what God gifted you with and showcasing it however makes you smile when you see it. Stop waiting for someone else to say you’re good enough. Stop thinking you can’t shine if someone else is shining. More shine means more light for the world.

My loves, I hope you hear me when I say that your brilliance deserves to be shared with the world. I hope you find it in you to let your little light shine and stop hiding it under a bushel. I hope today, you let your testimony save a life, especially yours. I love you, and I love your brilliance. I’m always rooting for you, friend! Keep conquering daily!