Y’all. Instagram is my jam. I mean I’m pretty much just into social media in general, but Instagram has my heart in its filter-covered hands. I actually love the idea of taking one thing, focusing in on it, and taking a snapshot of it to showcase the most beautiful part of your day. A lot of people don’t like Instagram because it allows people to gloss a filter over their lives, making them seem more glamorous than they really are. But I choose to view it as something positive – as a way for us to portray the beauty in our day-to-day lives.
However, that being said, I fully understand how living in a filter-covered world can seep into our reality and mess with our heads. Comparison begins to creep into our worlds, threatening to steal our joy and keep us cornered in fear and doubt. Fear and doubt threaten to keep us quiet and to keep us from growing or chasing after our dreams because we’ll never be a good enough (insert whatever challenge you’re facing here). Or at least we’ll never be as good as her or as him.
But we mustn’t fear and doubt hold us in place. We have to fight back.
And when it comes to combatting the doubt and fear of fully embracing who God made you to be, I can really only think of one piece of advice.
Remember who you are & remember whose you are.
Okay, so maybe that’s technically two pieces.
No matter what fear you’re facing – starting a new business, finally displaying your artwork for people to see, letting down your walls in a new relationship, going after that new dream job, chasing after that new goal…whatever the case may be – remember who and whose you are.
You are a child of God – of the one true King. Your identity does not lie in how many likes your Instagram post gets or how many products you sell. It does not rest in this new relationship or your job title. Your identity is in Jesus. And just in case that is not enough, remember that He is the one that created you exactly as you are right now. He is the one that planted this passion in your heart and set you on the path you’re walking.
And sure — the path ahead might be a little rocky. There will likely be a lot of unchartered territories to navigate, and even though you may feel like you’re walking it alone…you’re not. God is with you always. He tells us this over and over again in scripture.
In Matthew:
“And surely I am with you, until the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:20
In Joshua:
“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Joshua 1:5
In Deuteronomy:
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8
Do not let the fear of what others might think of you hold you back. Do not let the doubt of failure keep you complacent. If you view the passion in your heart as a gift from God, then pursuing it will be nothing less than a tribute to Him.
So stand up, brush the fear and doubt away, and remember who and whose you are as you journey toward becoming who God made you to be.
