I’ve spent a great deal of time trying to pinpoint the common denominator holding people back from pursuing some of the most meaningful things in life. It’s oddly a common trait to not truly and fully go after the meaningful things in life. In my lifetime of conversations and friendships, I have observed in others and myself a sort of mysterious, intangible thing that laces the outpouring of the words and actions of so many people, causing them doubt and stalling them out. Although each person is different, I believe the root of the cause of this stalling out and doubt are often – not always, but often – the same.

The list of deep, meaningful things people desire to chase (or maybe don’t even know they desire to chase) or try their hand at is endless. Often we make fear out to be the culprit that holds us back, but I think it goes beyond fear. I can’t help but ask, what is motivating the fear? All too often, hidden and cocooned somewhere inside of the fear is a sense of unworthiness. This feeling of unworthiness that many of us have adopted in different ways paralyzes. I know because I’ve been there, done that. From time to time a feeling of unworthiness tends to creep back in. Is it lurking inside of you too?

Ask yourself if inside of you somewhere you have a stirring, a restlessness, a knowing that you are being called to something greater or perhaps just something different? Is it a good and healthy pursuit that you desire? Is the Lord leading you to it? Are you neglecting that calling?

If so, or even if you are uncertain, I invite you to look your fears in the face. I invite you to dig up the cause of your fears. I dare you to tackle that feeling of unworthiness. Friend, let me tell you, you are worthy because God makes you worthy. No matter where you are in life, there is a plan and a place for you. Our Creator has called you to something uniquely and incredibly tailored just for you and He’s inviting you to be brave and step out into that calling.

The devil likes to use this feeling of unworthiness to paralyze, to suffocate, to regress, to cause doubt, to implant fear – whatever it takes to try and make you lose sight of God’s plans for you. Don’t feed the lies. No matter where you’ve been or what you have done, God always welcomes you back into His arms. Don’t live with one foot inside of God’s plan for your life and one foot outside of it. Pray into God’s plan for your life, ask Him what He is calling you to today, then choose to say YES to His plan. You are not alone, He will give you the strength to sustain you. Know your worth as a beloved child of the Father, know that you are worthy to live out His plan for you.