The Confidence Test

Mornin’ ladies! 2013 has inspired me to really focus on what the purpose of my blog is all about; it may seem redundant, but I can’t say it enough…do YOU WELL! I was looking back at my archives of post and came across one I decided to get off the shelf, dust off and re-post. Even though I wrote it last summer, it goes perfectly with what I'll be sharing today. But, before we get into that, I have to give our oldest son Joel a BIG shout-out for helping me out with this. We were talking the other day *yes, my 21 year old son and I have “talks” quite often*. I do love how our “grown” kids don't think it's
the worst thing in the world to have deep “convos” with mom and dad. Personally, I think it shows a great sign of maturity...they're natural leaders you know. :-) The perfect mother response, right. ;-) Anyway, back to his brilliant idea. He calls it the "Pulliam Confidence Test"...IKR! We were discussing how so many people are miserable about what they’re doing in their lives. They go about life just existing, or at worse; hate what they’re doing all together.  

For those of you out there who can’t quite put your finger on that “thing” that makes you tick, that thing that puts a spring in your step and makes you want to get up in the morning...this is for you! 

It’s very simple, yet so revelatory! All you do is pair up with someone who knows you pretty well. Both of you take a sheet of paper…you write on your paper 5 great qualities about yourself or 5 things you do well. Have the other person do the same. After writing them, you compare notes. I asked my son why couldn't you just do it by yourself and he said often times we all have an exaggerated view of ourselves and we sometimes need others to balance us out and if it's something that we're really good at...someone else other than yourself should know it. Wow, that’s enlightening coming from a 21 year old. Not only is he a handsome dude, but he’s quite wise also. Mind you, he already has his life mapped out until he’s… let’s say retired! It’s a very impressive list might I add. 

It’s amazing how affirming this exercise is. You’d be surprised at the many things you are good at(if you'd only take the time to find out). After discovering what your niche is, start honing it and take the leap of faith and walk it out. It’s as simple as that! When I started blogging last year, I had NO idea this was going to be something that I would actually LOVE to do! Each day, I'm finding ways to improve. You see, we’ll never get to what we’re actually called to unless we know what it is. If I had done this exercise before I started blogging, who knows…I would probably be on my way to med school right now studying to be a top neurosurgeon. Okay, maybe not…remember that "exaggerated view" of ourselves that I mentioned before, yeah…so, I won’t get carried away!

Well, here's that old post I was telling you about earlier…read on, enjoy and I hope it inspires you! 

Do you ever notice that the things about ourselves we hate AND make so LARGE are more than likely unnoticed by everyone else? It’s true! You know…your “so called” big ears, that gap in your teeth, or that blemish you think everyone can see miles away. Sounds funny right…because it is! When someone comes along who we THINK (and I do emphasize the word think) is better looking, or more talented than we are – those insecurities tend to magnify themselves. It’s the enemy’s job to make us feel inferior to others, when in fact we’re made in the image and likeness of God Himself. Instead of wishing you had the physical attributes or the spiritual abilities of someone else, ask the Holy Spirit to help you discover your own gifts and talents and hone them. When we start comparing ourselves to others and letting our insecurities rear their ugly heads, we sell God and ourselves short. In fact, 2 Corinthians 10:12 teaches us that it's UNWISE to compare ourselves to anyone. Anything that is unwise is considered foolish, immature and ridiculous!  Each and every one of us were sent here by God with a purpose and an assignment. Think about it...if God made US in His image and likeness, then obviously He knew what He was doing, right! Oh, you can best believe the enemy loves it when we're down on ourselves or when we think we're inadequate. He uses those moments to get us off course and make us lose focus; when this happens, it opens the door to him and all his devices. Sure, we all have inadequacies and we may not be the best at everything, but what we are good at...we should do it to the best of our ability. God has told us in His Word that we ARE fearfully and wonderfully made! So go ahead girlfriends...take that leap of faith, you can do it! Do yourselves a BIG favor and do YOU well, because there’s no one else on this earth who can!
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Having a blast serving Him !

xoxoxo

Michell