After many months of social distancing, I think most of us have spent a great deal of time with ourselves lately. I tend to get way too far inside my head without the distraction of the outside world. So today, let’s talk about how to make peace with yourself which I believe to be imperative to living our unique best life.
For most of my years I’ve wanted to be something I’m not. I’ve struggled to magically morph into a morning person when I absolutely love to stay up late.
In pre-coronavirus days, I dreamt of being one of those people who adores big parties and hanging out with large groups, but I knew deep inside I’d rather be home alone reading a book.
We are each wired a particular way. Some of us thrive in new experiences with no planned days, while others, like me, prefer to have a written daily schedule mapped out to the hour. We are extroverts, introverts, or somewhere in between.
Regardless of your particular traits, we are uniquely created by God so He can use each of us in completely different ways. And guess what, that’s a great thing! We are amazing exactly how we are, no changes necessary.
We are enough, beautiful, wanted, chosen, and called. What if we started describing ourselves this way instead of the much lesser words we pollute our minds and fragile emotions with? I can’t even imagine the difference this simple change would make in our lives.
A few years ago, I was on a launch team helping bring an important book into the world. At that time, Holley Gerth sent me her beautifully written You’re Already Amazing LifeGrowth Guide, along with the DVD. Being the sweet giver she is, there was even some tea involved.
I recently revisited this book as I’m in a deep reading phase of my life right now. Stay at home orders happen to be coinciding with a social media fast I’m on at this very moment. (I’ll share all the details when I break the fast in January!)
Here are some of my favorite takeaways from Holley’s incredibly enlightening words.
First, this:
“Our strengths and skills are more than personal characteristics; they’re messages that tell us who God made us.” (p. 21)
We don’t have to be able to do everything. If there’s a skill you haven’t mastered, maybe there’s a reason. You might not need it.
Maybe it’s time to lift our heads up and be satisfied with who we already are. Maybe it’s time to make peace with yourself as is…
Holley walks us through so many important aspects of how we operate. Are we heart-driven or head-driven? How do we respond to change? What kind of relationship situations do we thrive in?
There are no right answers to these questions. The variety of responses are what make us unique and wonderfully created unlike any other.
The point is to follow Him and be who He made us to be. This is the only way to carry out our true calling. By following this simple formula, we will thrive and live our best life, serving exactly where we’re meant to.
I’m a heart-driven, encouraging, one-on-one partnership connecting, princess of planning. This helped me realize I’m actually already where I should be. This blog helps me share my heart and encourage people personally through our discussions in comments and email.
I love writing and connecting with you here in this online space, but I seem to get distracted by all the other things I should also be doing. I have a huge heart for orphans and kids in foster care. As much as I want to serve in this area as well, I can’t do it all.
So I will continue to sponsor my sweet kids in Swaziland from afar and spend my time here with you. I’m excited to finally realize, that’s perfectly ok. I’m supposed to serve and connect with women, sharing my testimony.
We are closest to and most like Jesus when we are fully being who He created us to be.
~Holley Gerth
This is where I want to be, close to and like Jesus, a breathtaking life goal. It is in Him we can find a peace like no other.
As Holley would so beautifully tell you, You are already amazing exactly as you are. We don’t need to continue trying to be someone we are not. God made you this way for a purpose only you can carry out.
For more information about this wonderful resource, check out Holley’s encouraging site. She has even made all of the weekly videos from the DVD available to you there for free.
Get started with your own You’re Already Amazing LifeGrowth Guide today. I highly recommend it.
As always, thank you for being on this journey with me. If you’re new here, please subscribe to my free newsletter so we can get to know each other better!
This post was originally published on March 1st, 2016 and updated on December 16th, 2020.
Christa
Looking forward to reading this one! Thanks for the great review.
Candace
It is wonderful, Christa. This is the first book of Holley’s I’ve read and I’m now hooked. I will definitely be checking out a lot more of her encouraging stuff.
Holly Barrett
Enjoyed your review, Candace. There is so much peace and happiness in being exactly who we were created to be. Thanks for linking up to Testimony Tuesday.
Candace
Thanks for providing such an inspiring place to linkup, Holly. Yes, peace and happiness definitely comes alongside that important realization. That is two things I can always use more of :).
Linda Stoll
I’m waiting for YOUR book to come out!
;-}
Candace
Oh Linda, my sweet friend, you made me smile big this morning! I’m excited for that day to come as well, but it will be a while :).
Mary Geisen
Love Holley Gerth. Her words always speak to me. Great review and perspective of knowing we are already amazing. I would love to see a study of how often we try to be someone other than ourselves. Would it be 50% of our time? More or less?
May we all embrace our uniqueness and thank God that He made us just the way we are. Hugs friend!
Candace
That would be an interesting study, Mary. I would love to see it too. This is the first book of Holley’s I’ve read. I’ve always loved her blog, but will now be an avid reader of her books as well. Hugs to you, my friend!
Tyra
Candace,
I am the head of a Women’s Ministry at my church and this was our teaching for February. I pray that hearts and open and receptive to the truth that we are truly fearfully and wonderfully made. We do ourselves and God a huge disservice when we try to be someone or something we are not. May we continue to embrace being uniquely us!
Candace
Amen to this, my friend: “We do ourselves and God a huge disservice when we try to be someone or something we are not.” I couldn’t agree more with those words, Tyra. Thanks for your always valuable input.
Chris Carter
Oh Candace, how this speaks to my heart so deeply. I often fight the good fight in trying to be something, someone I’m not. (Late night girl here!) It’s incredibly defeating, isn’t it? Oh, how I love Holley’s message…
I also think about how when we fight who He created us to be, it dishonor’s His masterful work in us. If we embrace our gifts and unique character, we allow God to develop who we are to our fullest potential. I think sometimes, we (I) stifle His Plan and His Purpose for me and my life, fighting the very things He planted in me to do just that.
Thank you for this important reminder. I needed it.
Candace
I’m nodding in complete agreement with everything you’ve said, Chris. We are a lot alike, my friend. Putting it in the perspective of “dishonoring His masterful work in us” changes everything. What a perfect way to look at this!
Trudy
This is so beautiful, Candace. I, too, found out I’m exactly where God wants me to be. I’m so with you on this – “This is where I want to be, close to and like Jesus, a breathtaking life goal.” Blessings and hugs to you!
Candace
Thank you, Trudy! It is such a relief to finally feel as if we are in the right place :). Blessings and hugs to you, my friend.
Jeanne Takenaka
Great review, Candace! It’s far too easy for me to get caught up in trying to become who I think I should be, rather than embracing who I actually am. As I grow older, I’m better at embracing, but I still struggle with the lie of “not enough” sometimes.
I so enjoyed what you shared from this book and workbook. Thank you!
Candace
Age has really helped me with this as well, Jeanne. I think when I hit 40, I started feeling that comfort more. Of course, that’s also around when I became a Christian, so I’m sure that helped quite a bit ;). I still struggle with the horrible little “not enough” lie sometimes as well. It’s a tough habit to break!
Sonya
I can’t wait to check out her blog. I really love the part about why we might not have certain skills. I’m guilty of wanting to be things that I’m not. That was a great aha moment 🙂
Candace
You will love her, Sonya. She has a great linkup on Wednesday mornings that you may want to check out.
Kristin Hill Taylor
That study is packed with so much truth. And, yes, there’s such freedom in realizing we weren’t called to do it all. Thanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.
Candace
I was pleasantly surprised at how much great stuff was packed into this study, Kristin. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off of me :).
Tammy
Thanks Candace for sharing this. I must give a read. We are beautiful just the way God made us.
Candace
It’s full of great encouragement, Tammy! You can check out the videos for free on her site to get a better idea of each section. I have always struggled with wanting to do too many different things at once, so it was a much needed study for me :).
Tonya McCoy
This is incredible Candace! I love seeing the growth I have seen in you! You are beautiful my friend and I love you dearly! And miss you like crazy! I’m going to have to put this book on my to read list! Sounds awesome! Sounds like it would make for a great OBS!
Candace
Hi Tonya! I miss you like crazy too, my friend. We must get together when the weather clears up. I would absolutely love to see you! This book would make a fantastic OBS study. The one coming up from Nikki looks great too. I’m not quite ready to come back yet, but hopefully soon :). Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement here!
Ceil
Hi Candace! I just got my copy in the mail from Amazon. Can’t wait to get started! Thanks for being a part of her launch team…this looks like a winner!
Blessings,
Ceil
Candace
I hope you are enjoying it, Ceil! I absolutely loved it :).
Jen
Candace I so love your writing and the messages you share. I love this thought from the book, “Our strengths and skills are more than personal characteristics; they’re messages that tell us who God made us”. Understanding this is so important! I am going to need to get my hands on a copy of this!
Candace
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement, Jen. I loved that quote about God’s messages too. How inspiring and calming that thought is :). I hope you get a chance to work through the book. It will not disappoint!
Tiffany @ A Touch of Grace
“You don’t have to be able to do everything.” I love that quote and it’s 100% true. The book sounds like a good read. Thanks for sharing Candace!
Candace
It’s a great read, Tiffany! There were so many important insights I gained from it. Thanks so much for stopping by :).