WE ALL HAVE DOUBTS
We all have times when we allow doubts to come. Then we wonder if our work really matters. All of us probably have inferior feelings sometime or another. They raise their ugly heads and we crumble as lie after lie comes raining down on us.
We look around and see others that we perceive as better, so we think we might as well give up.
HOW DO WE DEFEAT LIES AND DOUBT?
Back in 2015, I participated in a group writing call led by my daughter, Jamie Bagley. The following letter is what she gave us as a prompt. In response we were to write a letter to defeat the lies. (This post is an update from my previous blog with some added content.)
Dear (insert your name),
I’m doing what I know I am called to do, but everywhere I look, there is already someone else doing it better. What difference am I making? Please remind me of what you know to be true. Please help me remember why it matters. I need you!
Your very own,
Inferior Feeling
Before sharing the letter I wrote to myself I want to share a poem I recently wrote. I had been having those feelings of not accepting myself with weaknesses and failures.
So I decided to write, because it always helps me think and process my thoughts.
Why Can’t I Accept
Why can’t I accept
myself for who I am
with all my imperfections?
Why can’t I accept
this unconditional
gift of love God offers me?
Why do I think I
must change in order to
be satisfied with who I am?
Why can’t I accept
my weakness knowing God
will perfect His strength in me?
Why can’t I accept
the quietness of resting,
sitting still contemplating?
Where can I find joy
if I am discontent
wishing for a change to come?
Why do I refuse
to see myself covered
by the cross of Jesus Christ?
God sees me with His
eyes of love and mercy
giving grace for ev’ry need.
May I learn to trust
as God says in His Word
that I am His beloved.
~gsw~
As I was writing I remembered who God says I am – His beloved daughter.
Now I’ll share the letter I wrote in response to the prompt.
Dear Inferior Feeling,
When you start to doubt that you’re making a difference, remind yourself that you are a unique person. No one else is like you. No one else can say or do it quite the same way. It’s not that they do it better, it’s just different.
Your work is important.
What you say matters.
There is someone, somewhere who needs to hear what you have to say in just the way you say it.
No one can fill your shoes.
BUT
Even if no one else ever hears or sees it, YOU DO, and it is still worth it. If you are doing what you are called to do, whether or not anyone else notices, GOD DOES, and is pleased.
You are loved.
You are needed.
Your life DOES make a difference.
Love,
Me
At the urging of some friends, I recorded myself reading the letter. I don’t know why the picture is so large, but if you’d like to listen, here it is:
(Psalm 34:3-5)
Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the LORD and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
Several years have gone by since I first wrote that letter. God has been helping me to remember to go to Him when those feelings of inadequacy come around. Just like when I was writing my poem, and my thoughts changed to remind me of how God sees me.
The letter was a reminder of how each of us are important to God and all are needed. So, when doubts and feelings of inferiority or failure start to get you down, come back and read my letter. Better yet, write one of your own!
What helps you when the doubts and lies start pouring in? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’m linking up with: #InspireMeMonday, #LMMLinkup, #Grace&Truth, #TeaAndWord, #TellHisStory, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #porchstories, #HeartEncouragement, #TuneInThursday, #FreshMarketFriday, #Grace&Truth
Oh…Gayl ! Its a lovely one.You said it “We all are unique with our own uniqueness”
Love & Prayers
Thank you, Athira. Blessings to you!
Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone! I’ve had those same thoughts … more than once!
It happens to all of us, doesn’t it? Blessings to you, Jerralea!
Your letter to “Inferior Feelings” is right on; it is something I try to remember. If we are willing to be vulnerable, we all have these rising doubts. I liked your poem because it turned focus to the Lord.
Thank you, Carol. Yes, sometimes it’s hard to be vulnerable, but when we are we get to the truth and encourage others in the process. I’m glad you like the poem. It almost reminds me of a lament like in the psalms how they start out so sad but end up praising God. Blessings to you! Thanks for visiting and commenting.
Today, I am defeating the lies of self doubt by choosing to remember I am His. God created me and that makes me special. 🙂
Amen, Melissa! If only we could remember that all the time! Psalm 139 tells us we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Then it says His works are wondrous! Blessings to you! Thanks for your comments.
That is so beautiful. And sadly too many women are aching to hear these words. May these words go out and encourage women everywhere.
Thank you so much, Mandy. I do hope these words will encourage all who come by and read. Blessings to you! Thank you for sharing. xo
What a beautiful, heartfelt poem, Gayle! I enjoyed reading it. Thank you for sharing this encouragement with all of us!
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Laurie. Blessings to you!
Wow! Gayl, your words really spoke to me here. I can’t tell you how many times I have battled with doubt and even fear, especially when it comes to creating. I think the things that we’re most passionate about or gifted in are often times the very things that we worry about sharing with the world in fear of the opinion of others. (Or least that has been the case for me.) So, I really appreciate the beautiful encouragement you’ve shared here. THANK YOU! Love, hugs, and blessings, my beautiful friend! 🙂
Oh, Tai, I”m so glad this encouraged you! I think you are right. It seems we get attacked in the very areas that God wants to use us. We fear, we doubt and we forget to trust God, that He is much bigger. What He calls us to do He will give strength to complete. Blessings, love and hugs to you, sweet friend! Thank you for your encouragement. xo
This is a great post! I love the poem and the letter, and I think it is encouragement we all need at times!
Thanks so much, Lesley. I’m so glad your were encouraged. Thank you for your kind words. Blessings to you!
If it weren’t for His grace and peace, I would not be able to keep that mind of Christ renewed. Why listen to that accuser of the brethren night and day, and even the fellow brethren who don’t recognize his lies and accuse too? Let’s see what God sees. I enjoy your pictures and poetry, Gayl, we matters and what we do matters.
Thank you for your comments, Rebecca. Yes, we need His grace and peace to fight off those lies and doubts and accusations. I’m glad you enjoyed my pictures and poetry. Yes, we definitely matter and so does our work. Blessings to you, Rebecca! Thanks for your encouragement.
Our best and truest identity is in Christ! Thank you for the beautiful reminder :).
Yes, we are whole in Christ, our perfect identity. Blessings to you, Anita! xo
Beautiful post, Gayl. Sharing on Twitter!
Thank you so much, Sarah, and thanks for sharing. Blessings to you!
Thank you for such a beautiful reminder of who we are. I love the letter you wrote to yourself. I need to do the same because I fall into that place of believing lies when God is all the truth I need. Blessings!
Thank you for your encouragement, Mary. Yes, we need to remember God’s truth whenever those lies threaten to take us down. Blessings to you! xo
Gayl, so good and your poem so transparent and honest. I recently found myself having down and buying into the lies of the enemy and forgetting who I am in Christ. This is such an important topic for people to grasp. Thank you for sharing your journey and beautiful words with us.
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Debbie. It seems like we all get tempted to buy into the lies at times. I’m so thankful God does not let us stay there but gently reminds us that we belong to Him. Blessings to you, dear Debbie!
This was a beautiful post full of such wisdom! I often feel inferior and play that comparison game. I don’t write well enough, I am not thin enough, I am not pretty enough, I am getting older..the list goes on and on. It is that same old game the enemy loves to make us play and we often do, even though we are all too familiar with it. At least I know I do!
So thank you for this lovely reminder that we are not inferior and the only opinions that matter are our Father’s! Visiting from #TuneInThursday linkup!
Thank you so much, Diane. I know what you mean about playing it over and over again even though we are so familiar with it. I guess that’s why we need reminders often. Thanks for your encouraging comments. Blessings to you, Diane!
What a beautiful poem, Gayl. I totally resonated with it. We can be so hard on ourselves, can’t we? But I think that is one of our enemy’s tactics. Because when we are hard on ourselves, our eyes are off of Jesus and on ourselves – and we are not coming to Him for help and comfort. Just what the enemy wants. Thanks for sharing on Grace & Truth this week!
Thank you so much, Aimee. Yes, it’s true when we are hard on ourselves it pretty much means our eyes are not on Jesus, who is ready to comfort and strengthen and give grace. May we learn to recognize this sooner when it happens and run straight to Jesus! Blessings to you!
Dear Gayl,
I loved these words that you shared this week! Thank you so much for taking the risk to share your beautiful voice reading aloud your words! I am so grateful that God’s truth is so firm for us. We are HIS beloved! Love & hugs Dear Sister!
Dear Bettie,
Thank you for your sweet encouragement and support. Yes, I’m glad His truth is firm and His love never fails. Love and hugs to you, too, dear sister! xo
Love that idea of writing a letter. Was so neat to listen to your voice and the sounds of nature in the background too. And your poem is beautiful. ❤ May God help us to keep our eyes fixed on Him and what He says to us.
I’m glad you enjoyed listening and that you like the poem. Thank you so much for all your prayers and sweet encouragement, Anna. Yes, may he keep us fixed on Him. Blessings and love and hugs to you, dear Anna! xoxo
I so love this letter to yourself, Gayl! “You are loved. You are needed. Your life DOES make a difference.” We all need to remind ourselves of these truths far more often than we do.
Thank you, Lisa! Yes, we need to remind ourselves often, because the enemy wants us to forget. Blessings to you! Thanks for stopping by.
Gayl, I think I just might take you up on that suggestion of writing a letter of my own. Your words rang true because, like many responding here, I’ve felt that sting of wondering why should I even bother. But God knows. Our words, our craft, our shared lives are making a difference.
Blessings to you, dear friend.
Dear Marva, I hope you do write a letter of your own. It’s really helpful. 🙂 It’s so easy to fall into the trap of thinking our words don’t matter so why bother. But you are right. God knows. It’s so important that we all share, because together we really do make a difference. Blessings to you, sweet friend! Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. xo