YOU BELONG HERE.

I wrote at the top of my notebook page as I waited outside the "Zoom Room" to meet virtually with women for the biggest conference I've spoke at. I traced it over and over, then underlined it as I sat there waiting, overthinking, palms sweating, heart racing.

The zoom opened and I joined 6 incredible women with a ton of accomplishments and credentials... and as the speaker intro began, God shrank my insecurities and reaffirmed that He put me exactly where I was supposed to be.

You're reading this today questioning this very thing.

DO I BELONG HERE?

Females struggle to feel like they belong even when it comes o family and friends. We let our own securities pull us away from the fellowship and relationships God calls us too. The devil knows our weaknesses and he loves to use it! How do you know the difference? I can describe it for me as an excitement and desire, a passion I feel until the devil starts to whisper all my insecurities in my ear trying to get me to self- sabotage what God has planned for me.

Maybe you're getting ready for your spouses' work dinner and you're ripping yourself apart for how you look. You're overthinking the conversations you'll have. You're feeling alone and uncomfortable before you even pull out the curling iron.

Repeat it "I belong here!"

Maybe you're questioning if you're worthy enough for that Bible Study you just signed up for. Will they judge me if I open up? What if I say the wrong thing? What if I'm TOO vulnerable?

Repeat it "I belong here!"

You were invited to an event of successful women. You're comparing your story, your credentials, your experience to every female you know attends. You're convinced your invitation was a fluke or someone else canceled.

Repeat it "I belong here!"

and maybe you've changed clothes 50 times until you've convinced yourself you have nothing to wear so you definitely are not supposed to be in attendance. You're questioning being over dressed, underdressed. You're worried about what Karen will whisper to Gretchen when you walk in the room. I would tell you not to care what anyone thinks (famous words from my husband) but...

Repeat it "I belong here!"

Maybe it's a job, an event, an opportunity, a goal... I think as females, we experience "I DON'T BELONG" syndrome every time we go to step outside our comfort zone. I know I do.

I've spent a good portion of my life trying to silence the voices in my head telling me:

You don't belong

You're not good enough

You're not qualified enough

You're not worthy

You're not pretty enough

You're not smart enough

You're too old

You're too young

You're a female

And I can tell you all day long that you are enough, you do belong, but until you become so focused on what God says and has in store for you, the devil will always be in your ear.

My strength comes from Jesus to say "YES" to things that scare me. The courage to walk into rooms I don't feel like I'm worthy to be in comes from Jesus. I cannot do it on my own. Therefore, I don't think, I just step into it trusting. It becomes less about what I think of myself and more of what HE, who makes us perfect in His Image made me to be.

Every single door is an opportunity to make a difference, change a life, leave a mark. So walk into every room knowing that God put you there!

YOU BELONG ❤️

xoxo, Lindsey

PS - How do I know if I truly don't belong where I'm at? God gives me such a heavy, burdened heart, or completely removes the desire.