Courage to Risk
Today I risked! My children’s story is now in the hands of an editor.
The Bella Project has been seven-plus years in the making. When Covid hit, I decided to pick Bella back up, and see her come to life by putting watercolor to her simple sketches.
It has been exciting to see the progress over these past eight months, as I have steadily plodded along, putting corresponding illustrations to the words of her story.
But…just hours after hitting send on my story, I felt like my spirit plummeted.
Have you ever felt this way? You finally move forward on something you feel God nudging you to do, and then; BAM! That spirit of elation quickly deflates. Fear of failure rushes in and old lies scramble for control of your mind.
These lies are never kind. They are quick to tell you that you’re not good enough, capable enough or talented enough. They tell you that there is no room at the table for what you have to offer.
I hate these lies! But I am grateful that I can now see them for what they are, and by seeing them I can have the courage to risk.
Our value cannot be wrapped up in what we do. If it is, we will always get the wrong message delivered to our hearts.
Stepping out into the arena of life is risky business. It requires courage to be the woman God designed us to be.
Authenticity comes when we live as our one-true-self in a world that often feels safer as a clone. How desperately it wants to risk, showing the world its unique self; but it is so afraid of what others will think and say.
It often becomes much easier to digest the lie or hide behind a mask, showing that everything in our life is great; then to step out and become exposed by others projection of us!
Fear will always keep us hidden in the shadows!
God desires that we live full, free lives as children of the light. Truth cannot hide in the darkness.
When you feel pulled down by what you think others may be saying about you or thinking about you; claim what God says about you.
We will never be able to glorify God in the world, if we hide what God wants us to gift to the world.
The enemies lies will always bring defeat. God’s truth offers hope. God’s message to us is always one of hope.
Risk takes courage; but when God prompts us to step out of our comfort zone, each obedient step will take us closer to being the unique woman God created us to be. Different by His Design!
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
LINDA JANE DINGELDEIN: DIFFERENT BY DESIGN
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: LINDA JANE DINGELDEIN
Natures color pallet allows us to catch a glimpse of God’s masterful designs.
Linda Dingeldein
After twenty-five years as a missionary, Linda Jane is now entering a new ministry role as pastor’s wife; where she will serve alongside of her husband Joel, in Warren, Pennsylvania. The calling to serve Christ remains the same, as does her endeavor to reach women with the gospel message, and to teach them to live authentically out of who God created them to be. Linda's passion is communication through the spoken and written word, photography and illustration. She loves all things cultural, creative and colorful.
