Just stop.

Stop being scared. That's the main focus point - if you don't remember anything else you read, remember those three words. I could say I got that revelation super spiritually, but it came so simply. I was leaving my car, quickly glanced in the mirror, and realized that part of my hair was all jacked up. I said, "Oh my" out loud and said what am I going to do? And literally, I heard, "Stop being scared." You're going to have to fix it.

 Now, some context- because I'm going somewhere, I promise. If you know me, you know I am incredibly particular about my hair and nails. I can count on one hand how many stylists I've had in my adult life and only 1 while living in Texas. And if I get a flyaway, I'm getting in my good sis's chair or calling her ASAP. I know my strengths, and DIY-ing isn't my style. Even as a young girl, my mom and I went to the salon on Sunday mornings before church, or I could go down the street to the hairdresser in my neighborhood or even a couple of high school classmates' homes to get my hair done. Hair, for women, anyway, is such a diverse, sensitive, and prideful topic, so see… see why I was like, oh brother when I had to fix my hair?!

This particular thing is scary for me, and for you, it could be something completely different but scary still the same. It got me thinking about how many of us haven't scratched the surface of who we are because we won't stop being afraid and take action.

Your promotion could be on the other side of a continuing education class that you've got to invest in to sharpen your skills.

The love of your life could be on the other side of your negative self-talk, bad habits, lack of awareness, and a commitment to therapy sessions.

Your dream could be on the other side of your desire to be in control and lack of discipline.

Stop being afraid of discipline.  

Our idol is time. We believe we have so much time and think we can manipulate it to fit our plans. We continue to walk around mindlessly like we can control it.

The scripture says no one knows the hour or day the Lord is coming. NO ONE. So, be alert and be on guard. (Mark 13:32-33).

So let's cast down this little time idol because we don't control anything, okay?! Okay.

Stop being afraid.

When you are in your quiet time with God and ask what your purpose is, and he reveals a portion of it to you, you will be scared at the answer because you will realize his plan isn't solely about you. The Bible says we are part of the body—each of us a body part—and with each body part, there is a purpose for it to connect with another part to make it better or function. This shouldn't scare you because whoever God calls, he also equips.

Even though the concept of being a part of something bigger than ourselves and God giving me everything I need to play my part shouldn't be scary, it is for many of us. When you have been in shallow waters for so long, depth will scare you.

Wading in deep waters isn't for everybody because it takes trust. We're still hung up on what God told us to let go of in the last season, so it's hard to fight against the current and WANT to go deeper—even when we know we should.

But who it is for, it is time to put fear in its rightful place so that we leave this earth empty because we let God use everything we had. In some seasons, we look like we're surrounded, and in others, we have the glow from basking with God on the mountaintop. But in both seasons, our focus is on Jesus. Because who wants to leave this earth with so much unaccounted for?

How do you leave this earth empty? You must do one of two things: pick up the pace or slow down.

Pick up the pace if you have been walking leisurely through life for a while. You know you need to pick up the pace if you haven't challenged yourself lately, you have yet to learn a new hobby or sharpen a skill, or your routine is so set and unmoveable that it feels like you keep living the same day over and over. You need to pick up the pace because you're letting life come right at you- and you're missing it. Something has you disengaged and in neutral, and it's time to go 5 over the speed limit. I challenge you to write out or rewrite your dream- put it in front of you, write out your why, let the answers ignite you and ask God how you can return to being engaged and on fire again.

Slow down if you don't know your Sunday from Thursday. You're moving too fast and don't feel anything at this pace because you don't slow down long enough to let yourself feel. You're a go-getter. That's amazing, but you don't want to look up and say wow, I can only tell you a handful of things I remember about this year because it was so busy. The enemy often uses busyness as a tactic to distract us. We think we're doing good things, or it's just "work" keeping us busy, so there's no harm- and we're mistaken. So often, "busyness" leaves us feeling depleted and deep in a cycle that is hard to escape. So, it's time to slow down and pay attention. Be present when you're supposed to be.

If you're moving too slowly or fast, both are signs you're afraid of something—scared of the quiet or the noise, whichever one I am telling you to stop being scared. Both are defensive tactics. You don't need to defend yourself—God will fight for you.

You have found yourself on the defensive because you put limits on who you are, what you believe, and what you can achieve. You've stopped trying. It could be because you've faced rejection, some unpaved, rocky road, or your perception is off because of the environment you're used to. You say in your mind that hardly anyone ever gets out, so let me keep playing it safe because where I am is a blessing already. And while that may be true, John 10:10 is also the truth. An abundant life is yours. 2 Timothy 1:7 is also the truth. He did not give us a spirit of timidity.

So, now that you know the truth. What are you going to do? Are you a chain and curse breaker or not?

Are you a generational wealth starter for your family or not? Are you going to be a servant or not? Are you going to live and not just exist? Are you going to live in your purpose or not?

Take action and take responsibility for your life. You do have a say and a choice. You're going to have to put in some work. The time to idly sit back and do nothing is long gone. Without vision, people perish. Change what you're looking at and what or who you're listening to—be broad. You won't go further than your belief system; your environment will reveal your beliefs. It's scary, but do it scared.

Whatever state you find yourself in, decide to let go of your limits. Whatever has happened - has happened, let it go. No one is holding you back—but you.

So, do you believe in Matthew 19:26, " With God, all things are possible?" or not?

The body is waiting for you.