35 Comments

  1. What a wonderfully encouraging post! Thank you for these words. Your neighbor at Heart Encouragement, Tammy

  2. Diane, thank you for sharing your gift of writing with us. This is such a crucial topic. Sometimes the lies I believe are my own. Thanks for the reminder that God has granted each of us gifts and for the inspiration to dust them off or uncover them and use them for His glory.

  3. Tha k you for this post! I’m struggling with this currently, because I’ve always had an incredible joy and fulfillment through singing, and have taken lessons for years through high school and college. As an adult, I sort of stuffed that desire down because it didn’t seem to fit into life after school. And I’m definitely not as good as a lot of other singers, but that joy is still there. Lately, after having two kids and being married for 11 years with no real musical outlet, I’ve begun to get back into singing, and brushing up on technique, picking up my guitar and practicing every day. But the better I get, the more I doubt myself and question if it’s all a waste of time. Your article has helped me realize that God really did put this desire in me, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to share it, even if it’s imperfect. I’m nervous, but I’m going to do it.

    1. Carrie I am SO blessed that you found it helpful. Believe me, it is SO easy to question these things. I don’t think a single day goes by that the question of whether or not I have what it takes to be a blogger doesn’t pop into my mind even though I have been doing it for 2 years. The enemy makes me compare myself to other bloggers and makes me feel I am not as good as they are. He will get right into your head with those lies if you let him. You just keep making music. God has given you a beautiful gift and the enemy wants nothing more than to stifle it! Share it and don’t worry about perfection! Perfection is the enemy of done!

  4. I know this is an older post, but it hit home for me that I must comment! I knew God blessed me with a beautiful singing voice at a very young age. Throughout my school aged years I remained in choirs and talent shows to keep my talent vibrant. I told my dad when I was 8 that I wanted to sing when I grow up, his response to me: that’s too difficult. I was crushed from that comment for over 30 years. In between that 30 years I was married to a man for 18 years that never encouraged me and prevented my growth by starting arguments with me before Sunday mornings where I was to lead songs at church. I was the choir president and lead praise team singer. My mother never encouraged me, my father never encouraged me, no family, but strangers always informed me of my annointing. I always knew in my heart what God gave me, however, people in my life restrained from validating what I already knew. I kind of feel like they did it on purpose. I am just now walking into my Destiny with my music and I have now learned that my father wished he had of pursued singing which I never knew. I’m also now learning that his mother made a whole album but due to her disability she was never able to release the album, but she was a singer. My father never shared any of this with me. Although, I’m stepping into my Destiny, I have to be very cautious and observant of anyone that communicates with me concerning my gift. I have found that random people family and strangers will say something “ subtle” aimed at making me question my gift. I know it’s the enemy and I am more alert now. I make secular music and gospel music, but I have a purpose and plan for the secular songs I make, which is to draw them into the gospel songs I make. I believe God is using my Gift in a very unique way that is not of the norm. I am growing stronger in Jesus Christ everyday, but I must guard my heart and my gift. Spiritually, I believe my gift is healing, specifically through my music. It’s amazing how quickly the enemy will send “ others” to plant a seed of doubt that will cause you to question yourself. I refuse to feed into this lie that held me back already for 30 plus years. Thank you for your article.

    1. Thank you so much for sharing your story! It is most definitely going to help people coming here to read this post. Your story (and mine) is sadly a common one and many a gifted person has given up on their gift or talent because of what others have said to discourage them. So reading your own story will no doubt give someone the courage and the faith to pursue their gifting in spite of what others say, whether it is from a place of hurt (as in the case of someone who failed to pursue their own dreams) or a place of just plain being mean. Thank you for sharing your gift with the world.

  5. Thank you so much for this blog. I have been desiring to use my gifts as a Career Coach or something related. I know God has given me this gift and I need to trust.

    1. Yes!! Just step out in faith and do it! I know people who have started coaching careers and been very successful with it so yes…go for it!!

  6. Wow, i’m short of words, this article is really touching. I just come across this article because i am writing an article about talents & i needed to compare what i had written down with that in a blog & i’m impressed. well I kind of have the gifting of writing & singing but i don’t know why i just let them go maybe because thought i’m not good enough but i’m in for a change. Thanks, alot.

    1. I am so glad you found the article encouraging and I certainly hope you do explore your writing and singing gifts!! I am sure you do beautifully at both!!

  7. It’s nice to have personal confirmation of what someone’s talents are, even if you do question them. I don’t even have that other than results from a professional aptitude test.

    1. Questioning is ok. Christianity has made so many people feel questioning is wrong. The questioning leads us to seek and dig in further!

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