Recently I was looking through some old journals, where I write my thoughts and prayers, and I was a little surprised to read some things from years ago, that I'm still talking to the Lord about today.
As I read my words from back then, I thought "Good grief, I should be farther along than that!" So I started to analyze this particular area of concern and ask myself why it was still a place of struggle for me and to be honest, the best thing I can come up with is the old Flip Wilson saying from years ago..."the devil made me do it!" If you don't remember who Flip was, you'll have to google him 😀
But really, as I was thinking back to the time when I would blog every day and write with passion for encouraging young moms, I wondered what happened to my voice. I remember it like it was yesterday because it literally happened overnight. I went from having lots to say, to all of a sudden, having nothing of value to offer, or so I thought.
It was like my passion disappeared overnight, like the thief walked in, grabbed my passion and all my words and I've never been able to recover it all. Funny enough, the timing corresponds with the beginning of my journey on Instagram and a few encounters in real life, if you want to know the truth. A journey of opening my phone every day and seeing the words of others who seemed more confident, more established, or maybe just more bold to say their words out loud. And hearing those words of others, slowly began to silence mine, until one day I just had nothing else to say.
That's the way the enemy works. He comes in like a thief in the night and steals something of value to you. The scenarios are endless, but the method is always one of deception and lies.
He whispered in my ear that my words were no longer needed; no longer worth anything and guess what? I believed him. For years.
I believed that those other women had it more together than me.
I believed that God was using them, but not me.
I believed that their "likes" and "follows" held more weight than mine.
I believed it all and still do sometimes.
So when I opened my journal from years ago and read the same struggles and realized they were still valid to this day...I thought how ridiculous that I've allowed the enemy to rob me of something the Lord once used me for. How fitting that Satan would take something that was meaningful to me and other young moms and glorifying God and reduce it down to nothing.
Of course, just like in the Flip Wilson skits of long ago, it wasn't all the devil's fault. I had to agree at some point. I had to give in, give up, stop writing, stop ministering and start believing his lies. And I did all of that.
And now I see it all for what it really was and now, maybe, I'm ready to get my voice back. Maybe I'm ready to build new dreams and write new words and tell the devil where to go. I don't want to look back through the journals of 2025 and read the same things over and over. It's time to let the Lord speak through me once again and not look around at what others are doing or saying. They have their place and I have mine and neither is more valuable than the other. Different, but not less than or more than. Just different.
💛
Have you ever felt silenced? Has the enemy ever stolen your voice or your confidence? It's so easy in today's world to hand over our confidence, our gift, our offering, because it seems everyone is doing it better.
But there's only one who has been called to what you've been called to and with your voice. There's only one who can tell your story and if that story glorifies God, then you will have a target on your back. But the devil can't make you do anything. He can only do what you agree with, so stand firm and tall and keep at whatever the Lord has called you to do. You will find your way back and the world needs to see that, as well.
Until Next Time...
Blessings!
I feel this deeply! Since becoming disabled, my kids moving away, and life just became one day running into another with little going on, I feel as if I have nothing of value to share or even write in my journal about. I've lost my creativity, my imagination, and inspiration, along with my voice. I've never thought about it being the enemy causing it...I just figured it was because of all those things I just wrote. I think, as we age, we tend to withdraw into our homes and into our own minds, leaving little in the way of adventure and the sense of wonder. It's horrible how social media can make it even more so.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this. It's good to know that I'm not the only one who feels this way.
Grace & Peace,
Pam
Pam, you certainly are not alone. I think one of the tactics of the devil is isolation. If he can isolate us from family and friends and the outside world, he can manipulate our minds with all kinds of deception. I hope, through this encouragement, you will pick up your journal, your hobby and any other tools that bring you joy and you will begin to take back your creativity and wonder. I'll be praying for you!
DeleteOur enemy is very shrewd and will do all he can to stop our good works. I've learned to recognize his evil ways and when I feel an attack coming on I just say the name JESUS out loud. He's afraid of our Jesus ya know!!!! ☺♥
ReplyDeleteSo true, Mary! Just say the name of Jesus and he will flee.
DeleteI am glad you used your voice to share this! You have a gift for encouragement and I can also relate to so much of what you wrote. Thanks for this post today and hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteThank you Marilyn. I hope your weekend is great!
DeleteYou may not post as often, but every post is filled with love and the Lord. We all get to a point that we think, 'what new do I have to offer'. There is always something. You need to read my latest post about learning and teaching. We are all vital and have much to offer. Don't get yourself down, you are on the right track. Bless you.
ReplyDeleteThank you Cheryl. I read your post and as always, you teach me things :) I appreciate you!
Deletea very enlightening post Debbie.....I think there are times when we are not exactly sure of what it is we are feeling and we are at a loss of words for what we are feeling. The very thing that I love about your blog is that your words are so very uplifting and full of wisdom AND you share not only the good, but those things that can fall under the category of difficult. This gives each of us encouragement and hope. Thank you for always sharing from your heart. You are loved and appreciated.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shug. You are loved and appreciated too. And you always make me smile :)
DeleteThis is so good, Debie, and I can really relate to your words.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Thank you, Sandra. As a writer, you can relate :) I appreciate you!
DeleteYes, I have felt silenced from time to time. It doesn’t bother me like it used to because that’s usually a time when I need to be quiet and listen more. At least, that’s how it works with me.
ReplyDeleteBut you are right. What you have to say is of value. Where you are now is based on what you’ve experienced and learned from the past and your readers get to benefit from that.
Barbara, there is definitely a time to sit and listen, rather than speak. The Lord is always teaching us new things.
DeleteYes! Despite never feeling like an 'accomplished' wordsmith, your words resonate. There are things (not Blogger!) that once brought me such joy ... now feel curiously flat. Gray.
ReplyDeleteBecause I'm unwilling to acquiesce and to let the devil have his way, your words give me hope. Thank you!
I'm so glad you got some hope out of this post. Keep standing for what the Lord has called you to do. I'm glad you stopped by the blog today.
DeleteThank you for this resonating and encouraging post, Debbie.
ReplyDelete