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FREE TO DREAM

Thursday, March 11, 2010

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I’m doing a study with my church called, FREE. It’s a six week series and I couldn’t wait to dive into it. The first chapter is about following your dreams. How blessed I am to know that I am truely free in Christ. Do I always know that with my heart? No. Do I always know that in my head? Not really. So am I a weakling in my faith. Absolutely not! I just can't wrap my mind around the workings of God. And that's as it should be. BUT I'm not always satisfied with that answer. :)

I want you to hear this as a message of encouragement. That no matter what your dream is you can begin it now, not knowing the outcome, but maintaining the hope and enjoying the journey; the climb. I think you've all heard Miley Cyrus sing, The Climb. Have you listened carefully to the lyrics? The first line of the song is: "I can almost see it, that dream I'm dreamin, but there's a voice inside my head sayin, you'll never reach it."

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Don't listen to those negative voices inside your head. Those are lies staight from the pit of hell. Satan does not want you to succeed, especially if you are following the path God wants you on. He will tempt you, taunt you, torture you with self-doubt and self-loathing. This is when you must climb into the Word and wrap it around you like a warm blanket.

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Now week two of "FREE" was not easy. I don't know what I was expecting, but it wasn't this digging up of old wounds. It didn't surprise me at all that I like to escape. I didn't have the easiest of childhoods, but I felt like I'd dealt with it and moved on and I believe that. BUT, there's always a but isn't there? Now I've completed week two where I discovered that it's still possible that I may feel rejected and unloved. Rejected?I'm a writer! I've been rejected for years. Most of us writers are at one time or another, and for a long time. BUT I can't help but wonder if experiences from childhood, of feeling rejected or not good enough, have led me to the writing life. Weird, huh? Has anything like this happened to you?
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As a counselor I think there are healthy and unhealthy ways of dealing with lifes disappointments and hardships. We can allow rejection, fear, and self-doubt beat us up and then give up, OR we can find ways of coping, like writing, that can not only help us cope BUT allow us to thrive.

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Be aware that if you've ever been deeply hurt or rejected by people throughout your life or at a particularly vulnerable time, that you don't start feeling rejected by God. That's what I uncovered in week 2 of "FREE." I still harbor fears of rejection in this life, not the writing rejection so much, but the rejection that leads to feelings of abandonment. Jesus overcame difficult circumstances and so can we if we will only wrap ourselves in the blanket of his love and of his Word and listen.

16 comments:

  1. Great encouragement, Jill, and you are so right on!

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  2. Hi Jaime,
    Thanks for stopping by. It just amazes me how much I can still react to things of the past and in a split second fall back on worldly thinking rather than Godly knowledge. It is so important to remember how powerful our Jesus really is even when Satan(the major rip off artist) worms his way into our thoughts.

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  3. If your bloggin' is anything like your writing, can't WAIT to read that published work!

    Hmmm. Love the horses image. Hmmm. Don't think my past led to my writing. I actually didn't START writing until my wounds were healing or at least the blood had stopped dripping

    Blessings,
    P
    www.pattilacy.com/blog

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  4. Thanks Patti!
    I love those wild horse pics too. I've been writing through some of the worst years, but now things seem to be getting much better. I'm hoping!

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  5. Writing helped me find my voice. Funny. I write for a local women's magazine called Her Voice. My next article is called The Committee and it's about those negative voices, the devil voices that sit on one shoulder and say, "You're not good enough. Who are you to think you're a good writer, can be published?" Then, there are the angel voices that I hear through real life friends that say, "Of course, you can. Now, get out there and DO it!"
    I love the song "The Climb."

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  6. Hi Mary,
    I'd love to read that article. Negative voices within our own minds can be so hard to thwart. Hey, there's a word for the day: thwart. :) Dictionary.com says: thwart
    –verb (used with object)
    1.to oppose successfully; prevent from accomplishing a purpose.
    2.to frustrate or baffle (a plan, purpose, etc.).

    So we must thwart those negative voices and replace them with God's voice. We are good enough and we are smart enough and God will show us his plan for our lives if we will take the time to listen, ponder, and pray.
    Have a great week, Mary!

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  7. Jill,
    Such a great post! I really enjoyed it.
    Christi Corbett

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  8. Hi Christi!
    Thanks for stopping by for a visit. Glad you enjoyed the post. Have a great week.

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  9. Jill, I just heard the great news! Hugs and major congrats! :-)

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  10. Jill,
    Just learned of your three-book contract!!! Whoo-hoo!!! I'm thrilled for you and can't wait to read your stories! Rejoicing and sending up prayers of thanksgiving!!!

    Much love!

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  11. Thanks Cecelia,
    I'm so excited. It's been such a long haul. I know it won't always be easy, I'm just happy to get the opportunity. I love this series.

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  12. Hi Debby,
    Thank you so much! Can you believe it? I'm totally excited and totally awed. What a journey I've been on and God is honoring my dreams. Simply awesome!

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  13. I am so excited. I am going to be one of the first to buy the books when they come out. Hallelujah! God's blessings abound.

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  14. Oh Donita,
    It's so sweet of you to drop by and share in my joy this day. Thank you! I am blessed indeed. And I just love dragons! :)

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  15. Congrats on the 3 book deal, Jill!! I saw your announcement on HIS! And thanks for your insightful comment yesterday on my blog! I just love counselors (my hubby and mom are both counselors!). You have such great wisdom--thanks for sharing it!

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  16. Hi Jody!
    Thanks for the congrats and for taking the time to visit. I know that's not easy with your responsibilities. So you are surrounded by counselors, poor kid. :) Glad you liked the comment. Sometimes I wonder if I'm on track or not. And I love your blog, Jody. I don't know how you keep up with it 3 times a week. I'm wondering if I can do that or not later on after my first book makes an appearance. Have a great week!

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