Hiding Authentic Wealth And Neglecting Opportunities

Have you ever made a promise that you’ve failed to fulfill, or neglected to commit to an opportunity that would positively change your life? This can possibly be related to the thought of failing which overwhelms you and instead of taking a leap of faith to embrace opportunities, you think of not being qualified, well equipped to effectively manage or simply just not ready to embrace change.

You may have promised yourself that the next time an opportunity comes around you would be ready. The next time came; followed by several times thereafter, however, you are still not ready. You find yourself in a repeated cycle of the same unfortunate status of ‘not ready.’

The year 2019 is here and the pressure is on as you receive invites for seminars, scroll through countless motivational reads on social media, or log into webinars in hope of getting ahead. You are left feeling optimistic; you want to conquer the world. Every day that you wake-up is an opportunity to embrace many of life’s opportunities.

Fear of the unknown can cripple you; often causing you to miss opportunities such as funding for a new project, attaining a better position on your job, a healthier lifestyle, or that scholarship you’ve been meaning to apply for.

An opportunity I’ve neglected was my ability to stand before an audience and sing confidently without fear and doubt. As a teenager with a talent to sing, I’ve fought with fear for as long as I can remember. More than 80% of the time when someone had asked me to sing solo, I would decline. It was nerve-wrecking having to manage performance anxiety and struggle with low self-esteem. I wanted to avoid every solo experience as much as possible. It was my choice to say no and every time I did, it pushed me further away from embracing change.

As I became older, I’ve noticed the expression on the faces of those who believed in me or anticipated hearing this talent.  Their faces showed disappointment and grief like death had captured their souls.  My comfort zone was singing as a background vocalist or lead singer during a praise and worship service. What’s the big deal singing lead at church versus background vocals or solo? Well, its all singing, however, it was my preference.  Notice my preference was my comfort zone.   I had unconsciously buried my resources.

As I prayed daily for boldness, opportunities continued to knock.  I was so trapped by fear, and all the negativity I’ve been fed and lived by for so long.  Those series of events from high school, church and relationships were just overwhelming.  Newsflash,  I hated the spotlight and all the attention that came with it.   It seemed inescapable, even in attempts to settle in the background.

“Life’s metamorphosis can be agitating, often disrupting your comfort zone. Let nature take its course, as you embrace opportunities that maximize your potential ” 

– Teena J. McDonald

I was getting older and felt I have not begun to live purposefully. I decided it was time to stop this madness and receive the healing that would rid the dysfunction in my mind.  My healing journey began with repentance for being evil and lazy. I confronted fear and began to live.  If you don’t manage fear, fear will manage you and lead you down a path of defeat.  As I began aligning my heart, mind, and soul for restoration; fasting, prayer, and submission to God was the order of many days that followed.  It was a time of rediscovering my creator, knowing who I am, and why I was created. I needed to trust Him, especially after He’d told me in the latter part of 2016 to sing for Him.

Instead of making noise about how tough life is or how oversaturated a market may be, look within you to discover those hidden resources.  In order to successfully manage your talents, you must know its worth, which happens through seeking knowledge.   You can surely perish for the lack thereof.   God gives you the ability to produce wealth so take advantage of it.  Proverbs 18:16  says, “A man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.”  Hiding your talent is like throwing your resources away. Think of the possibilities that can occur once it’s harnessed correctly.  How often do you hear of others complaining of being broke, and/or living from paycheck to paycheck?  Become an excellent manager of your talent (s).

Wherever you are in life, do not allow fear to hinder the talents that you possess.  Seek God’s guidance in all that you pursue.  Do not hesitate or doubt His purpose for your life. Sharpen your craft, and take advantage of opportunities that can improve your disposition.  Time will not pause as you decide whether you want to embrace an opportunity or not;  it moves on. Before you know it, seconds become minutes, minutes become hours, hours become days, days become months, and months become years.  I’m talking years of unfulfilled time that has been lost.

As long as you live opportunities will exist and it may find you afraid, discouraged, desperate, unprepared, overwhelmed, or ignorant. Your journey to success begins with you; enter with a clear conscience. Take a leap of faith, look up and live.