“I don’t feel like I belong here.” These were words spoken by my new friend. We had just met at a writer’s conference, and she verbalized the emotions of many writers attending. I was experiencing the same feelings, but I couldn’t let them take hold. We had to know we belong to Jesus and He has us where He wants us.
Many of the writer’s at the conference are published authors. Some have over 100 books in print. Some of us only have one, others none. The shared emotion of feeling like we don’t belong floats around in many conversations.
The most significant difference is the writer’s who have 100 books don’t let their thoughts stop their momentum. They have the feelings and quickly dismiss them. The people who don’t are left stuck in the thoughts and don’t continue to produce writings. I want to be like them. Confident that God has me where He wants me doing what He wants me to do.
My choice to write wasn’t one that was full of confidence and competence but doubt and inadequacy. I began to write because I was helping a friend. The joy of writing is what kept me going. Then the success that came was the product of many hard days and nights fighting the thought that I wasn’t good enough, I couldn’t do it, or I don’t belong.
The change for me occurred when I stopped doubting my abilities and allowed God’s power to work through me. I know if He has a plan for a talent in my life to prosper then I am the only one that can stop that from happening.
“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus,” Philippians 1:6.
We all have thoughts that take hold of us. The minute we allow one thought to get the best of us we stop God’s plan. When we try to control and us our power to make something happen, it takes away God’s ability to get things done. Having confidence that God is doing a good work in and through us keeps us moving forward.
Throughout the conference I had to stifle the thoughts of not fitting in with the other writers, not being as well equipped as them. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary. We have to release the thoughts and need for control. We have to rely on the abilities God has. He knows what is in His plan and purpose for us if that’s writing for me or another dream of yours.
God has us where He wants us, doing what He wants us to do. He has us where we belong. We belong to Him!
What’s one thought that has been getting the best of you lately? How do you stay confident that God has you where He wants you?
