We can really be our own worst enemy. Something in us is afraid of failure, hard work, or even success. We must learn to SHUT UP OUR INNER NAY SAYER and GET OUT OF OUR OWN WAY! I admit it, I used to be afraid of success or maybe it was the responsibility that comes with the things you must do to achieve success. The more you achieve, the more responsibility you have. I was a little lazy and too comfortable. It is a fact that when you are the one in charge you work harder and you are under constant scrutiny.  A lot of responsibility requires you to have less time for yourself and to put the well-being and concerns of others things and people before you own. Yes I know, that was selfish.

I had to get rid of that way of thinking. The problem with running from responsibility and success is you won’t ever reap the benefits of them if you don’t put in the work. I said I wanted to be rich. I said I want to be a nationally recognized author. That will never happen if I’m sitting on my tail instead of making plans and working to see them come to fruition. I wish I could say that after I realized thIs I rolled up my sleeves and got right to work. I didn’t. Instead, I made excuses.

Sunday, my Pastor Dr. Eugene Gibson Jr. spoke a word in my spirit. The title of his sermon was”When God Removes All Excuses”. He talked about Moses and how God was calling him to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt and instead of being honored and excited that God chose him, Moses made excuses. He talked about how he wasn’t qualified, how he wasn’t smart enough, how he wasn’t persuasive enough, how he lacked the leadership abilities, and how his speech was too slow. God eliminated each one of his excuses. Then last, Moses just flat out asked God to choose somebody else. God got mad! I can just see Him saying to himself why you little ungrateful……! I created you. I know full well what you can do if you only have the faith to take the first step. I got you! Pastor said, “Asking God to use someone else is like accusing God of making a bad investment…..Excuses are tools of incompetence. They build monuments of nothingness. Those who use them are often useless!”

Most of us have a little Moses in us. We basically do what Moses did when we don’t tap into our gifts. God has blessed each of us with amazing talents and gifts and often we choose not to utilize them for no other reasons than the excuses we make up because we are afraid or lazy. I think the most often used one is, “I don’t have time.” Truth is we make time for the things that are important to us. It’s time to shut up your inner nay sayer. When it says you can’t, say SHUT UP! Yes I can! When it says that looks hard, say SHUT UP. Anything worth having it worth working for. When it says you’re going to fail, say SHUT UP. I’ll never know unless I try. When it says you don’t have the skills to do that, say SHUT UP! I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. When it says, you don’t have time, say SHUT UP. I will make time starting with using the time I’m wasting right now talking to you! God didn’t make a bad investment. You’ve just been drowning out His voice with loud bad thoughts. God wants His children to be successful.

We have to stop making excuses and live up to our full potential or at least come close to it. Tell God, “I’m sorry God for not utilizing my gifts like I should. I’ll do better but I need your help.” I can testify that I have been taking strides to do so and I am already seeing some of the benefits. New doors are opening for me almost every week. I’m putting in the work and I know I will reap the benefits and I have no intentions of running from the responsibility that comes with them. Will you join me?

WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
Please help me in congratulating Nandi Crawford, the latest winner in the Things Every Good Woman Should Know Friends Giveaway. She will receive an autographed copy of “The Crisis Before Midnight” by Mario D. King.