Choose the music you want to dance to

Choose the music you will dance to:

Will it be the music of fear and doubt or the music of courage and bravery?

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Do you believe this verse? It is incredible to me! The words “prepared in advance” resonate in my heart, but I guess sometimes I doubt God’s words because fear and doubt often sneak into my heart!

Our relationship with fear and doubt is dangerous and sometimes lethal to our hearts and minds. Fear and doubt disrupt and discourage the work that God has prepared in advance for us.

However, the frequency that fear and doubt show up can prove that we are indeed doing the work created for us in advance! We often forget this truth! At times, I’ve felt as though I’d been thrust back to the beginning where I first began this writing journey. Needless to say, those days weren’t fun!

The voices of entertainment

Fear and doubt are the enemies to our soul and spirit! Once I allow the dance of fear and doubt to entertain me, the music sounds a little like this:

Why are you writing about things you really know nothing about? So what if you experienced bad stuff? Everybody does! You are no professional. You only have bad experiences. Besides, you still have struggles. You are not perfect yet! You should keep your struggles private. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. It sounds as if you are lying to me! Do you really think God prepared you for this type of ministry? You can’t write without having someone edit your work. You will never say anything that will help someone else. Despite the two or three likes your articles receive, look at the followers you have that say nothing! Do you really think you are making a difference? I doubt it! Giving up seems like the best thing to do!

“NO! BY ALL MEANS, NO!” cried courage and bravery!

You can’t afford to quit. You may never know if your words are helping anyone, but you don’t get to stop. You see the passion you have is not from you, so believe God is working in you for the benefit of others. The one thing you don’t want is to hear God say, “you quit and I had one more person who needed to hear what you had to say.” Be strong. Be courageous. Be brave!. Rise to the occasion that I’ve prepared for you! How God is using your words is really none of your business. You only need to continue to be obedient. You are receiving “likes” for some of your words, so you know someone is reading and hearing what you write.

Take courage and believe God prepared in advance for what you are doing today. He created your heart with the passion you have today. He allowed certain situations to come into your life to prepare you for what you are doing today! Thus, you can’t afford to give up and not believe Ephesians 2:10 (NIV). Are you ready to give up on the GREAT I AM!? Can you really afford to change partners and dance to the music of fear and doubt?

The Decision!

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord, your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua heard these words from Moses and God repeated them to Joshua over and over again. I find comfort in the number of times God encouraged and promised Joshua. He never gave up on Joshua and He will not give up on you and me.

Seeing fear and doubt as a catalyst took some time. It wasn’t an overnight process for me, but I am noticing a difference! The difference shows up in the time I spend dancing to the music of fear and doubt. How often I buy a ticket to the dance of fear and doubt, hearing the words to their music echoing through my mind and heart.

In time, I began to recognize I had a better choice: the choice between fear and doubt or courage and bravery! I begin to see the truth, the truth that changed my heart and mind. The revelation that caused me to respond quicker to the dance of courage and bravery! This growth amazes and humbles me. My growth is not because of me, but causes me to have a more profound and satisfying joy that God does care about me! He cares about the work He planned for you and I like He did for Joshua.

Are you having a hard time choosing the music to dance to? Does it seem you are always buying a ticket to the wrong dance, or do your friends give you a free dance card to the sounds of fear and doubt!?

I understand the decision and I understand the process is not easy. Yet, the choice is yours to make. What music will you dance to?

Edited by: Tiffany Clark