Friday, January 20, 2012

Are YOU What is Holding You Back?

Welcome! If you are visiting from Michael Hyatt's blog today, Thank You! I hope you will consider subscribing to my blog, or coming back to visit on a regular basis.  
When I read that Michael Hyatt accepted guest posts on his blog, I thought, "Maybe I should submit something." Almost immediately however, came the next thought, "Why would he publish anything written by you?" However, I've come to recognize that second voice for the liar that it is.

Over the past year, I've come to realize that the main thing holding me back was me.  I've come to recognize the voices in my head, and identify them for who or what they are. No, I'm not schizophrenic. I'm talking about the running dialog in my head.  Maybe you have it too. Learning to recognize the voices can help you stop holding yourself back.

1. The Voice of Lies. Whether you call it an overactive conscience, the pessimist in you, or even the devil, the liar is always there to tell you that you can't, you'll fail, and you're not good enough. I've learned that if I respond to the liar with reality, the lies go away. This takes a lot of practice, especially if you've been listening to the lies for a long period of time.

2. The Voice of Reality.  When the Liar said, "Why would Michael Hyatt publish you?" The Voice of Reality could honestly respond, "I'm a regular reader of his blog, I think I understand what he's looking for, and because he is the father of 5 daughters I believe he will appreciate my viewpoint from the home front."  The Voice of Reality even whispered, with more hope than reality, "You are a good writer." The Voice of Reality is you, the real you who understands your capabilities. It honestly states your abilities with neither ego nor self deprecation.

3. The Voice of Truth. Whether you call this one your intuition, or (as I believe) the Holy Spirit, the Voice of Truth is different than the Voice of Reality.  Reality is from our own perspective, while Truth is bigger than reality. Max Lucado illustrates this point in his story of The Woodcutter's Wisdom. We can't always recognize the bigger picture. But the Voice of Truth directs us. When the Voice of Truth warns us not to do something, it is not because we are not worthy. It is often because what we are doing is not worthy of us. The Voice of Truth spurs us on in wisdom.

What are you stopping yourself from doing by believing the Voice of Lies? What does Reality say? What does Truth say? Keep taking your leaps of faith. Eventually you'll stick the landing.

What steps will you take to stop negative self talk from holding you back?

Chatty Kelly

23 comments:

Sonya Lee Thompson said...

I can relate to this post, Kelly. God's voice is the only one we should listen and act upon, but it takes training to get to that point. I'll pay close attention to which voice I'm listening to today (mine or His).

Kola said...

This is wonderful, Kelly! I was just talking to a friend recently about a book i just finished. The author insists that we should base all our decisions on what we can see. I beg to differ because i got Jesus! haha.
PS: lovely post on Michael Hyatt's website by the way

Cynthia Herron said...

Kelly, I so enjoyed this! Great nuggets of wisdom here and on Mike Hyatt's blog today.

I especially liked your last point--"the voice of truth." I don't believe in "intuition" either, but rather the voice of the Holy Spirit. Right on the money with that one.

Blessings from the Ozarks!

Kelly Combs said...

Thank you Kola! I'm with you, without Jesus I am blind - to make my decisions based on my vision versus his, is only seeing a small part of the picture!

Kelly Combs said...

Thank you Cynthia! I'm so glad you stopped by my blog, and I appreciate your comments both here and on Michael Hyatt's blog.

Kelly Combs said...

Training is key! It's taken me a year to get past listening to the lies, and focus on reality and truth. But I am getting there!

Loree Huebner said...

Congratulations. Such a beautifully written piece. So much truth.

Kathleen Jaeger said...

I liked this article and the one on Michael Hyatt's blog, too. I loved that it came from the perspective of the home; because that is where I lead also. I find so many of the principles on his blog applicable to home that it makes sense that it would go the other direction.

And about these voices in my head -- yes, I am learning better all the time to discern the lies from the truth. There are some that are easy to distinguish. That I was surprised this fall to realize how blind I'd been to a set of lies that I didn't even see as lies. So grateful for the realization!

Melanie Dorsey said...

Good stuff here, Kelly!

Sharon Sloan said...

Woo Hoo! Excited for you!!!!!!!

Warren Baldwin said...

Excellent points and questions. What keeps me from listening to the voice of lies? Probably interaction with other people of like mind (believers). Mutual support and encouragment is so important to overcome the lies and distortions the evil one plants in our heads. Great post, Kelly.

TNeal said...

Kelly, I slipped over from your post on Michael Hyatt's website. You do write well and I've enjoyed reading what you've had to say--whether as a guest blogger, a commenter, or blogging here.--Tom

Kelly Combs said...

Tom, thank you so much for visiting my blog! I love writing, and was so honored to have Michael use my guest post on his blog. Thank you for your support.

TNeal said...

You write well and your writing makes us readers laugh and think. When I saw your name as the guest blogger, I smiled. Why? Because I thought of your comments from other posts. Keep writing. We'll keep reading.

Sharon A. Lavy said...

I am a long time subscriber but I haven't visited for awhile. Your post on Michael Hyatt's blog prompted me to visit today.

Kelly Combs said...

Thank you Sharon! Now I hope you'll come back again.

Kelly Combs said...

I have to admit I, too, smiled when I saw I was going to be a guest blogger for Michael Hyatt! Very validating that someone of his caliber would let me share his blog and platform for the day.

I enjoy your comments at his blog too. And now, here at mine!

Kelly Combs said...

So true Warren. Two are better one. I'm so glad for my friends that help me up.

Kelly Combs said...

Me too!! Woo Hoo!

Kelly Combs said...

Thank you Melanie!

Kelly Combs said...

Thank you for visiting Kathleen! I, too, was blind to the lies for so long. That is why I'm so thankful for his amazing grace...was blind, but now I see.

Kelly Combs said...

Thank you Loree!

Kari Scare said...

You read my mind. I've considered gueset posting but have been afraid to not move forward with it because I don't think others will want to post what I have to say. I have a confidence problem even though I know the Holy Spirit is telling me to write, write, write and then sare it, share it, share it.