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Monday, April 30, 2012

Who's Living in Your Head?

Have you ever let anyone into your head, you know, take up residence in your thought life? I don't usually let harsh or mean spirited comments stick with me, but occasionally, someone will say something that catches me off guard and their words come to live in my head.

It took me years to bring myself to be able to say the words, "I am a writer."  And even now, when I hear those words come out of my mouth, I sort of look around to see if anyone is snickering or preparing to object. Recently I had a real set back in this area and it caused me to not write for a couple of months.  And it's all because, I listened to some nasty words about myself and my writing ability, and before I knew it, the person who said those things, was living, uninvited in my head.

This person, who is very highly regarded in the community, who I had great respect for, said to me, "You are not a writer.  You told me you were a writer, but you're not."  I was taken by such surprise and his words pierced my heart right to the core.  I heard those words over and over again, in my mind, day after day.  Soon, I was paralyzed when it came to writing.  I let those careless words from someone who doesn't even know me, block the channel that I have from the Lord, to write.

Scripture tells us, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things."  Phil. 4:8  I realized that what I was thinking about wasn't any of those things. What I was thinking about was negative, destructive and hurtful.  Now when I hear those words, "You are not a writer" in my head, I just repeat this Scripture and thank God for using me as an instrument to write what He would have me write.  I refuse to allow those lying words to live in my head anymore!

If people have constructive criticism that will help you grow and enhance your life, these are the words you should listen to.  But if they tear you down and make you less than you are, remember to think on the things in Philippians 4:8 that are listed above.

Remember, the Lord sees you as valuable and precious, yes, with flaws, but valuable and precious, nonetheless!  He created us in His image and daily, we walk out the life and the gifts He has bestowed to us.  Take what He's given, develop it, hone it and give it back to Him as a beautiful gift!

From His Lap,

40 comments:

  1. Hi Erin - this is a lovely post and such a great example of how we can allow the devil to mess with us. So glad you have chosen not to listen to those words. Your writing is awesome and blesses all those who read here. God bless and btw, all the pics on fb with your grandbaby are sooooo cute. God bless
    Tracy

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    1. Thank you for those kind words, Tracy. I've been away for a while and feels so good to be back with my blogging friends! It took me a while to get my confidence back, but I'm there, sister!
      Isn't my grandson just a perfect angel?!
      Blessings, my friend!
      ~Erin

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  2. I know about this; I know about this; I know about this. Really. I know about this.

    Ultimately, we are who the Lord says we are, but it can be so hard to live in that truth. In His truths.

    I'm glad you're writing, again. Your writing is proof, you know: you're a writer.

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    1. Aw, thank you, Brandee! Why do we women let people get in our heads and stay there??? I know, it's satan! We are who the Lord says we are!!! I'm trying everyday, to live in that truth!
      Blessings,
      ~Erin

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  3. Oh, Erin... we share a tender soul and words do hurt, don't they! I wrote about this very thing recently http://mothersonmission.org/?p=1349. These people that say thoughtless things are the very people that everything rolls off of, they don't see the harm and like you said... we live with it in our heads. We listen to the words over and over and Satan rejoices while God's truth is quieted. I'm so glad you're replacing the hurtful words with the truth and that you are still writing because: You are a Writer and you write for Him! Believe it!

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    1. Heidi, your words mean the world to me! Thanks so much for stopping by and encouraging me. You are so right, the people who usually make remarks like that...it just seems like everything rolls right off their backs!
      I'm going to ck out your blog. Thanks for the visit!
      Blessings!
      ~Erin

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  4. Well sweet Erin, you are familiar with some of my story, so you know I know what you mean. It's so funny how we let other's thoughts and words take up residence in our head and hearts...Sometimes though, what is said just sticks; maybe its cause it brings up childhood memories we thought we'd long buried? Who knows. I am so very glad to see you back in the blogging world...I've missed you.

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    1. Aw, thanks, Leah! I missed everyone. I've got my head on straight now, :0), and I'm not going to let anyone stop me from writing what the Lord lays on my heart to write! You bless me!
      ~Erin

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  5. Love your blog, so glad I came here today. I have been where you were at, and its not helping us to grow into woman of God, the enemy comes to destroy and thats what he was trying to do, but God gets all the glory. Thanks for sharing this post.

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    1. I'm glad that others can relate what I went through Pam. I was so embarrassed that I let myself be so easily deceived. I've learned to guard what I allow to be put into my mind! Thanks for stopping by!
      Blessings!
      ~Erin

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  6. I absolutely love you blog!!
    writ·er/ˈrītər/ Noun:
    A person who has written a particular text.
    A person who writes books, stories, or articles as a job or regular occupation.

    You are an awesome writer!! (Just let me at him!)

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    1. Aw, Carla, thanks so much! I'm so glad my blog blesses you! And you're right...I DO fit the definition of a writer! Can I get a woot woot!?
      Blessings,
      ~Erin

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  7. What an inspiring way of looking at what we choose to attend to in our minds. Thank you.

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    1. Deborah, thanks so much for visiting here! I plan to only attend my mind to those things that are true, noble, right, pure...
      Blessings!
      ~Erin

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  8. Hi Erin, so glad you're back. I have missed you! I was wondering what happened and was hoping that you weren't sick or something. Anyway...satan uses those people, as you know, to stop us from getting the word that the Lord wants us to say out there. So many have been blessed by what you say and I am one of them. Keep writing no matter what you hear or your head tells you!

    Blessings to you...Chelle

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  9. Chelle, that means so much to me! Thank you for your kind and encouraging words. I have learned to not let anyone live in my head, uninvited! You can be sure, I will be writing again!
    Blessings, my friend!
    ~Erin

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  10. Hi Erin,
    You are a wise woman full of grace. It is human to let someone's words get to us like that. I can't believe someone would actually say that to you. It's horrible and it mean and I don't know what his purpose was but to bring you down. I'm sorry it worked, for a short time. But so glad that you figured it out and have risen above. Your blog here inspires me and so many others. You ARE a writer and a wonderful one at that!

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    1. Wow, that was so sweet of you to say, Michael Ann! I have figured it out and I'm going to write whenever the Lord moves on me to do so!!!
      Bless you!!
      ~Erin

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  11. Hi, Erin. I'm sorry I haven't been by in a while.
    That was so awful! I really can't believe that someone would steep so low. Each and every one of us doubt ourselves in the beginning and need that positive affirmation that we do belong, in whatever way The Lord gives us to string words together - be it poetry, non-fiction, Journalism or any genre of fiction. Even this person must have considered themselves unworthy in the beginning.
    Ever since I saw my dream come to fruition suddenly in my late 30's, after I had nearly given up that me being a writer would be anything more than a pipe dream, I have done everything that I can to encourage others. It's too bad that not everyone realizes how important they can be for others.
    God bless.

    -Jimmy

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    1. Jimmy, it's so great to hear from you! I'm so glad that you never gave up being a writer! You are gifted, my friend! Thank you for your words of encouragement!
      Blessings!
      ~Erin

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  12. Amen to those nuggets of truth, my beautiful sister in Christ. You are a gifted writer and have touched many lives through the pages of this blog. I love you and I'm so happy to see you writing again!

    XO
    Rosann

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    1. I love you so much, Rosann! Thank you for saying what you said! I have learned much from you, sister!
      Blessings!
      ~Erin

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  13. You are an amazing writer and I'm so glad that person no longer lives in your head. I think all of us have these "people" in our heads at times.

    I love the way you write :)

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    1. Sharon,
      I wish I could write funny like you do! When I try, it comes out all wrong. I think I'll stick to what God puts in my heart and come to your blog for a smile and some inspiration!
      You bless me always!
      ~Erin

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  14. I am so honored that the Lord would have you write a post just for me! :-) I struggle in this area and have been combating it with scripture. So thankful to know I am not alone. And when know when we are doing an amazing thing for the Lord the enemy of our souls is around the bin looking to see how he can thwart it. You are doing an amazing work for the Savior encouraging us to press towards the mark! Thank you! You are an amazingly gifted writer, who works for the One who has sold more books than anyone else on the planet!

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    1. Thomasina, I'm so glad this post blessed you and spoke to you right where you are! Scripture is the best way to combat it!!! I love that: "You are an amazingly gifted writer, who works for the One who has sold more books than anyone else on the planet!"
      Thank you, thank you, thank you!
      You bless me!
      ~Erin

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  15. Congratulations Erin! Your blog was selected for this month's Blog of the Month feature!

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    1. Angela, this means so much to me, especially at this time. Your faith, strength and encouragement always bless me. Thank you for the honor!
      Love you, sister!
      ~Erin

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  16. I wonder if he had a problem with the fact that you are a 'Christian' writer. I find my posts that are more Christian centered get a lot less comments. Maybe he has 'ISSUES'.

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    1. I don't know, Becky. He is supposed to be a Christian. He is just a very critical, judgmental person. I'm so glad I'm not around his caustic behavior anymore!
      Blessings!
      ~Erin

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  17. As I have told you before, you are wonderful and I feel sad for him since he obviously is living life with blinders on. XO (Where are those garden pictures?!?)

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    1. Thank you for being so encouraging, Val. The pics are from my garden in the back yard!!!
      Blessings,
      ~Erin

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  18. Erin - I haven't visited in a while (for that I apologize), but I also noticed you had not written much for a while.

    Yes, dear one, you ARE a writer. It is so easy to struggle with negative thoughts and words. I've had my own struggles as of late (regarding writing and my calling in general). I realize where those negative thoughts are coming from, but I know that I (we) are able to take captive every thought to the obedience of Christ.

    Blessings to you, dear one, and keep writing!

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    1. Joan, thanks for that encouragement and that Scripture!!! I'm sorry that you've struggled with the same thing lately. I will pray for you and you, for me!!!
      Blessings, sister!
      ~Erin

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  19. Obviously, that person didn't know what he was talking about when he said you weren't a writer!

    Thanks for sharing this. I admit that I too am easily affected by negative comments about myself, that I let them ruin my day- worse, my life! I will always remember that scripture passage you cited. thanks :)

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    1. Pepper, why do we women allow people to get in our heads like this. It just proves we need to be more diligent about the thoughts that we let come into our heads!!!
      Thanks for stopping by!
      ~Erin

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  20. Erin, I'm am so glad you're back and no longer listening to those harsh words and instead listening to your heart and to God. You were meant to share your soul with the world...it is evident throughout all your beautiful posts. You ARE a writer. I come to your page and find such inspiration and faith.
    Thank you!
    Xoxoxo
    Maria

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    1. Maria, you are the sweetest and kindest person! I love when you visit here because you only say the most encouraging things! You are a blessing to me!
      ~Erin

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  21. Oh my goodness, YOU ARE A WRITER! God is using you to encourage and make people think and to smile.
    You keep writing girl! :)

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    1. OMG, that means a lot to me...coming from you, Kristin! Thanks for stopping by and encouraging me! You are a blessing!
      ~Erin

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Thank you for giving us a little nugget of truth from your heart!

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