Get Out of the Shadows: 5 things to stop doing if you want to break out of your shell
By Empowering Everyday Women // Inspiration
God is calling you out of the shadows because there is much work to be done. Even if you know this, that doesn’t mean breaking out of your shell is easy. In fact, it may feel scary, intimidating and anxiety-inducing.
If you’re one who prefers laying low, staying in the background and avoiding the spotlight at all times, you can use these 5 tips EEW Magazine Online is offering to say yes to God’s call, emerge from the shadows, and let others see the light of Christ in you.
#1 Stop lying to yourself: If you have told yourself that you belong in the background, and people like you should not be out front, that is a false narrative. Stop lying to yourself. There is an anointing on you, and your gifts need to be shared with others. Keeping your talents bottled up hinders your purpose and stops those you’re assigned to reach from receiving the treasures hidden within you.
#2 Stop comparing yourself. If you find yourself examining the lives of others that are already out front and comparing yourself to them, that’s a big mistake. Their strengths, talents, personality traits, and platforms, are unique, and God does not want you to be a perfect replica of anyone else. Stay in your own lane, be who you are, and you will see God bless your efforts, and build your platform exactly how He sees fit.
“ Keeping your talents bottled up hinders your purpose and stops those you’re assigned to reach from receiving the treasures hidden within you.”
#3 Stop waiting for perfection. If you look for flaws, shortcomings and weaknesses in yourself, you’ll easily find them. And if you let those perceived flaws tell you that you’re not ready and should wait for perfection, you’ll be waiting forever! Remember that God always uses imperfect vessels. Even the strongest, most confident and gifted among us are works in progress with room left to grow and improve. Stop beating yourself up and criticizing yourself for what you lack, and use what you have to bring glory to God.
#4 Stop letting fear control you. God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear (2 Timothy 1:7). He has given us the Holy Spirit who leads and guides us into all truth (John 16:13). So, be led by the Spirit of God and not by the spirit of fear. Surrender to the Lord. Submit all your plans to Him. Ask for guidance, and believe His word that promises to direct you if you seek after Him (Proverbs 3:6). As you pray for God to lead you, rebuke fear, and step out of the shadows by faith.
#5 Stop saying no. When opportunity knocks on your door, you have to be willing to answer the door, and say yes to the chance to walk through that door. Many shadow-dwellers say no to their purpose. They come up with every excuse in the book for why things won’t work out, why they should not seize the moment, and they talk themselves out of blessings. Don’t be that person. Even if you must cross the threshold with shaky knees and wobbly legs, take things one step at a time. As long as there is a yes in your spirit, God will order and secure your steps, and equip you to fulfill each assignment before you.
While the shadows may be your comfort zone, God is not interested in preserving your comfort. He is interested in you doing His will and being a light in a dark world.
