What’s Holding You Back From Moving Forward?

Summer Reading

Does it ever seem like everyone has it all together except for you? You see other women and moms who not only seem perfect on the outside, but seem to be perfect on the inside? Like they have this faith thing all figured out and never struggle or waver in trusting God or serving Him? The truth is those same women are like little girls cowering at the edge of the playground, hoping no one notices them, yet still wishing they could join in. Wishing they could somehow find the amazing unshakable joy and peace that other women seem to have, and maybe feeling a little envious of their unwavering faith. The enemy loves us for to think abundant life and fulfilling faith can’t be ours, but as we know, he is a liar.

I love today’s reading suggestion, because God has given me a passion to help women embrace intentional and joy-filled faith, and Sharon Jaynes shares this passion too. In this book she reveals the most common reasons women get stuck with a mediocre, mundane faith, and shows women how to break free and move forward, leaving behind the feelings of inferiority, inadequacy, and insecurity that are holding them hostage.

If you want to uncover confidence and courage you didnt know you could have and be equipped to move from knowing the truth to believing the truth, and live it boldly in your life, then this is a book that might change your faith walk. So read below for a sneak peek into this journey and see for yourself.

____________________________________________________

headshot croppedWhen I was six years old, I skipped off to first grade with a fresh box of crayons, a crisp green dress with Swiss polka dots sleeves, and a fresh hope that I would be good enough—that someone would at least like me.

But first grade only confirmed my fears. I wasn’t good enough after all.

From the time my teacher held up the first spelling flash card, I knew I was in trouble. Back in the day, kindergarten focused on coloring, playing, and napping.

But first grade was a whole new ballgame with letters, numbers, and words. First grade had flash cards.

I remember one exercise that makes my palms clammy even today. We lined our miniature wooden chairs up in a row like a choo-choo train. The conductor, Mrs. Morgan, held up a spelling flash card for the lead passenger to identify.

If he or she could not correctly decipher the word on the card, that passenger lost the lead seat and had to go sit in the caboose.

I spent most of the first grade in the caboose. I could not spell to save my life.
Mrs. Morgan decided that she was going to give me a little extra help. After all, she had taught my brother five years earlier, and he was pretty smart. Maybe there was hope for me.

She kept me after school to work on my reading with another little boy named Mike. I might not have been very bright, but I was smart enough to figure out what being singled out with Mike meant.

For some reason I had particular trouble with the word the. In an effort to help me remember that all-important word, Mrs. Morgan made a nametag that read “t-h-e” and pinned it to my little chest.

I had to wear this scarlet letter for two weeks. My peers taunted me with words of their own.

“Why are you wearing that nametag?”

“Is your name ‘The’?”

“Are you stupid?”

“What’s wrong with you?”

After two weeks, I learned how to spell the word, “t-h-e,” but that’s not all I learned. I learned that I was stupid, just not as smart as everybody else, and once again . . . not enough.

Fast forward thirty years, and now God was nudging me to write? With words? Words that I had to spell?

One of my greatest weaknesses?

One of my insidious sources of insecurity?

The very thing that put the rubberstamp on my greatest fears so long ago?

The truth is, I was not stupid. I just couldn’t spell very well. Still can’t.

And even though I graduated with honors, did well in college, wrote a passel of books, there are many times I feel like that little girl sitting in the spelling train caboose. I wonder if you know the feeling.

Isn’t it mindboggling that God will sometimes take our greatest weaknesses and turn them into our greatest strengths?

But that won’t happen until we let go of the fear of moving forward and take hold of the hand of God with grip of trust. We can choose to stay stuck in the caboose, or come up front with the Chief engineer.

I’m still not a good speller. However, I am not going to allow my weakness to stand in the way of my God-given purpose. I hope you won’t either.

God said to Moses, God said to me, and God is saying to you: “I will teach you what to say. I will show you what to do.”

What more could a person ask for? What more could you or I need?

Is there something that you feel God is calling you to do? If so, what’s holding you back?

____________________________________________________

ENTER TO WIN A COPY OF TODAY’S BOOK SUGGESTION!!

If you are ready and willing to let go of all that holds you hostage to the less than life, move forward with a step of faith, and live bold to do all God has prepared for you, just leave a comment and say “I’m ready and willing!”

____________________________________________________

takehold 3d coverSharon Jaynes is an international speaker, blogger, and the author of 20 books.

CLICK HERE to visit Sharon’s blog and learn more about her latest release, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For: Let Go, Move Forward, Live Bold.

You can also watch a video, download a free chapter and inspirational graphics. Sharon loves connecting with friends on social media as well and you can find her links below.

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Pinterest

 

** The randomly chosen winners of last week’s book giveaways have been notified by email. If you received an email, please reply with your address.**

40 Comments

  1. Tricia Underwood on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 7:48 am

    “I’m ready and willing!”



  2. Cindy L on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 8:32 am

    I think Sharon wrote this book for me. I AM READY AND WILLING!!



  3. Nicole Johnson on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 8:33 am

    Wow, your words took me right back to second grade where I too struggled to not only spell but also to read because of my stuttering. Instead of being asked to stay after for extra help, I was pulled out during class (how humiliating). Fast forward to now and I still find myself shying away from opportunities to speak or lead because I feel so unqualified. Why me God? I am good right here in the background. However, God keeps calling so today……………………. I’m ready and willing.



  4. Rhonda on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 8:48 am

    I’m Ready and Willing!
    Thank you for such an inspiring word!



  5. Heather on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 8:56 am

    I am readyAND willing!



  6. K Jones on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 9:07 am

    I am ready and willing Lord.



  7. Linda on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 9:07 am

    “I’m ready and willing!” I’m ready to stop believing the lies about being unworthy and to start believing the truths in scripture.



  8. Sharon C. on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 9:14 am

    I’m ready and willing. I have so much bad baggage from life that I want to lift the weight off me once and for all. I not only have what I’ve put on me but have let others bile their junk on me too. This book was written for me. Having gained back some weigh I lost is what people see but the stuff people don’t see is far more debilitating to me. If someone could just see how much I’m hurting inside. Please help me. Thanks.



    • Bonnie on Friday, August 5, 2016 at 8:36 am

      Hi Sharon….I can feel the pain in your words & I wanted to say I’m so very sorry. Like you, I’m learning that life is NOT fair. People are mean. Faith is hard. All that keeps me going somedays is I KNOW God is good; even when, like today, when I only know it in my head & not my heart. I pray God reaches down & reveals more of Himself to you today…the TRUTH & that He gives you the grace to believe!! You’re not alone. Please don’t give up! ♡ Bonnie



  9. SusanKelly Garrett on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 9:22 am

    I am WILLING and and VERY ready!!!!



  10. Pam Ridgell on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 9:32 am

    “I READY AND WILLING”



  11. Melissa Henderson on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 9:38 am

    I have read this book and it is wonderful!!! 🙂 Blessings to everyone. I’m reading and willing.



    • Melissa Henderson on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 9:38 am

      Meant to type “ready and willing.” hahaha! Although I am reading a lot. haha



  12. Ann on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 9:54 am

    I am ready and willing.



  13. Karen on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 10:04 am

    Yes, leaving behind the familir, but unhelpful self-talk and holding onto the truth. In a way, it’s a bit frightening, but I’m ready and willing.



  14. Pam Sanders on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 10:20 am

    “I’m ready and willing!”



  15. Ali on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 10:32 am

    I am ready and willing!



  16. Nina Ruth Bruno on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 10:35 am

    I’m ready and willing!



  17. Janice on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 10:37 am

    I’m ready and willing!!!!



  18. Tracy G on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 11:20 am

    “I’m ready and willing!”



  19. Angela on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 11:39 am

    I’m ready and willing!!!!!



  20. Elsie on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 12:15 pm

    Thanks for giving a copy of this book away. I ‘m ready and willing.



  21. Dede on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 12:26 pm

    I’m ready and willing!



  22. Melissa Reynolds on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 1:21 pm

    I’m so ready and willing! ❤️



  23. Joy Marsh on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 1:57 pm

    I am ready and willing. I have so much fear when I think God is telling me something to do. I feel inadequate and not good enough. How do I get over that fear and take that first step?



  24. Julie Sunne on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 2:23 pm

    I’m ready and willing. Inadequacy sure seems to be one of Satan’s favorite tools.



  25. tracy on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 2:24 pm

    I love the premise of this book! God is working on me right now with this very thing!!!
    I am beyond ready and willing to learn and grow!



  26. Jodi Aiken on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 2:37 pm

    I am ready and willing!



  27. Nadia Morgan on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 2:47 pm

    I am ready and willing!



  28. Linda C on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 5:00 pm

    “I’m ready and willing!” and I would LOVE to read the book.



  29. Rachelle Craig on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 6:52 pm

    I have read this book, and whoever wins it will be blessed! 🙂 ❤

    I am ready and willing!



  30. lc on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 8:25 pm

    I’m ready and willing…….
    to believe, say and do what God tells me to do – whend He tells me to do it. I’m ready and willing to trust Him and follow Him and obey Him – above all others and especially above myself.
    Thanks for the encouraging post. I hope all is well with you, Tracie. ♡



  31. nancys1128 on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 8:57 pm

    I’m ready and willing to get passed the doubts and fears that are holding me back from embracing whatever it is that God has in store for me. And hopefully what He has in store for me will be revealed in the process. ????



    • Tammy Benoy on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 9:02 pm

      I am ready and willing



  32. Cathy on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 9:15 pm

    Whatever God’s will is for my life, I am ready and willing!



  33. Holly on Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at 10:47 pm

    I am ready and willing!

    I also struggled with THE. I learned to watch for it so could fix it as spell it teh. I wasn’t “punished” for being “slow” but definitely wasn’t good enough and still struggle with that at times.



  34. Dawn on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 1:19 am

    I am ready and willing now. Thanks!



  35. Tracie Bates on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 9:51 am

    Wow….I’m so ready and willing!! 🙂



  36. Deb on Wednesday, July 27, 2016 at 10:35 pm

    My heart aches to hear the story of humiliation and the effect they ‘hold’. May each of us identify and not hurt others with our words and seek Jesus to validate others through our words and actions! Would love a copy of the book!



  37. Bonnie on Friday, August 5, 2016 at 8:39 am

    I’m ready & willing, I think!



Headshot Flipped 2

Tracie Miles is a bestselling author and the Director of COMPEL Training with Proverbs 31 Ministries.  She helps women grow stronger in their faith, pursue the life of purpose God designed them for and live a life of peace, joy and happiness despite their circumstances.

Living-Unbroken-3DwithShadow

Available Now!

Subscribe to Tracie’s Blog

Receive the Living Unbroken Battle Plan Workbook for free if you subscribe to Tracie’s blog today!
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.

Tracie's Books