Have you ever been in a place in your life when
you felt like you just did not belong? Have you ever felt like the
odd man out because everyone around you were doing things differently and you
find yourself wanting to do those same things just to fit in with the crowd or
perhaps even just to make new friends? Well I can recall a few times
when I wanted to do what everyone else was doing. I wanted to be
accepted by everyone and I did not know how to say the magic, very important
word “NO” or even “no”. I was young, vulnerable, and oh so trusting.
I thought that other people had my best
interest in their heart but as I got older I learned that I had to look out for
my own interest and I could not expect others to do that for me. But
before that point, I wouldn't think for myself; I figured that other people had
a better plan for me than I had for myself. I remember it like it
was yesterday. When I was twelve years old, I told a family friend
that I wanted to be a Social Worker when I grow up. She quickly
told me I would never make any money as a Social Worker. So she
suggested that I “do hair” like her daughter and from that time, that stick
with me. Not long after that encounter I found myself doing
hair. I continued doing hair for several years limiting myself and
deferring my dreams. I made a critical decision about my
career, my life to be a hairstyle for over 20 years, because someone else
thought that was the best thing for me. It wasn’t until a few years ago I
realized I had the potential to be and to do so much more!
God says we are uniquely
crafted individuals and whatever we put in our mind, we will be able to
conquer. There is no reason to have any reservations or
fears. For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,
and of love, and of a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7). See there are some times, we do not
realize our exceptional make-up! It is
ssssoooo amazing what can happen with the power of knowing.
Remember in Jeremiah 29:11 it says God knows the thoughts He thinks
toward us, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give us an expected
end. So in the moments when we are not sure of ourselves, we ought
to seek God because it is He that created us. Remember to always
believe in yourself! Reject anyone negative opinion about who you
are or what you cannot do. No matter what someone has said
about you in the past be sure to know we have been fearfully and wonderfully
made; fearfully made with caution, great reverence and a heartfelt interest for
each of us. God does things intentionally; he designed each of us to
have our own creative, unique looks and aspirations. We are all
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made; having our own strategic design not made by man
(Psalm 139:14)!
Author Karron Griffin
Co-author Jill Bulluck
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