Victim Mentality: Part 1

For a final paper for one of my classes I had to write about Ben Carson's theory on victim mentality. I felt so vulnerable writing this. I'll share this in parts because even though the semester is over this piece is still incomplete. Take a look...

I believe I have a victim mentality. While reading this paper a reader can see the presence of the victim mentality.

I'm just not as motivated as I used to be. I over think and become overwhelmed. I don't ask for help until it's too late. But when I express my issues I'm told to suck it up and stop making excuses. When I am motivated if I get rejected after so many times I give up. Rejection doesn't motivate me it puts more fear in me. It causes me to doubt myself. I can list numerous writing opportunities I passed because of fear. There are assignments I missed in class because of my fear of red markings. I had such high hopes for myself entering Florida A&M University. Now as I get ready to walk across the stage I am disappointed in myself. As much as it seems I have accomplished, I let fear dictate my life at FAMU.

Saturday Schooling: Audrey S. Brooks

Who is Audrey S. Brooks? She was the daughter of the late Dr. Albert S. and Annie R. Smith. She was born on the May 23, 1921 in Baltimore, Maryland and died December 27, 2003. She was the mother of Wesley A. Jennings and Colonel Sidney A. Brooks.

What's her significance to me? Well if you didn't know, I'm an Iota Sweetheart. Mrs. Audrey S. Brooks is our Eternal Sweetheart.

Lions, Idol, and Crowns...OH MY!!!

It's been almost a year since I told y'all the reason for this blog. Here's a refresher.

January 30, 2015

 

Lions, Idol, and Crowns...OH MY!!!

So in my bio I mentioned God told me to start this blog over a year ago. Why the wait?? Let’s take a look back into summer 2013.

I was an editorial intern at The Gadsden County Times in Quincy, Florida. Just completed my sophomore year at FAMU. Devin Taylor and Brandon Hepburn were both drafted by the Detroit Lions and Candice Glover won American Idol.

What does that have to do with me? Well, Devin and Candice are classmates and we all graduated from Beaufort High School in Beaufort, SC. And Brandon graduated from FAMU. His wife was actually my life group leader for Every Nation Campus Ministries lol.

Where does that leave me? Just a girl trying to support other people.

A Detour is Not a Dead End

Happy New Year!!! Yes I know it's not the first but it's my first entry of 2016. We usually spend a few days or even weeks in December and January collectively reflecting over the year. It's a time when people make new goals or resolutions. During reflection, we're happy about the goals we accomplished over the year. You may have a goal or two or maybe fifty leven (yes fifty leven lol) that were not accomplished in 2015. Shoot you probably don't have goals completed from 2013. Well you know what?

A detour is not a dead end.

Remember everything works together for the good of those who love the Lord. This doesn't mean everything will be good but everything will work for your good. I want to share a few examples from Genesis. Please bear with me.

Ishmael and Isaac - Even though Abraham and Sarah took matters into their own hands, God's word still proved to be true with the birth of Isaac. God was even able to use the descendants of Ishmael to fulfill another purpose.  Ishmael married a woman from Egypt and was lacking nothing. Now don't go purposely creating Ishmael situations in your life. We don't want to take advantage of God's forgiveness.

Jacob, Leah and Rachael - Not your ideal story. Although when I would watch Love & Hip-Hop (NY and ATL) I would refer to the love triangles as JLR situations. I'm not encouraging being a sidechick or waiting on a married man but we know the JLR story. Despite the detour of her husband marrying her sister first and not being able to bear a son for sometime, Rachael gave birth to Joseph. With the sister wives competition the 12 Tribes of Israel came into place.

Use to Develop not Develop to Use

Hey y'all!!! Today's topic is using your gifts. Many times as Christians we tell non-believers they do not have to "get right" before turning their lives over to God. Turning to God will get you right. It's the same with our gifts God has given us. We don't have to master and sandpaper our gift before using it for God. Using it for God will cause it to be mastered and sandpapered.

I received this revelation attending Bible Study at Engage Church. The topic was stewardship and Dave Plettl did a great job speaking. He came out of 1 Peter 4:10-11.

10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

~1 Peter 4:10-11 (NLT)

He pointed how the scripture said use and not develop. You do not have to perfect your gift before you use it. Just use it. As a journalism student I have been told several times the only way to get better at writing is to write. As hard as using your gift may seem it's just that simple use it. Ask God to direct you and He will show you how to use your gift. If you don't know your gift. Ask God to reveal your gift to you.

Another thing about your gift. Use your gift before it is taken away from you. After Plettl spoke we broke up into small groups focusing on the Parable of the Three Servants in Matthew 25:14-30. Many people know it as The Parable of the Talents.

One servant received five bags of silver, another two bags, and the third received one bag of silver. The servants with five bags and two bags of silver both doubled their bags. The other was afraid to lose his bag and buried it in the ground. No matter how big or small you think your gift is; use it.

We don't let our cars, appliances, or food sit without use 24/7 365. Once that happens they become no good and we have to throw them out. Think about what happened to the servant who did nothing but bury his bag of silver. He was thrown out.