Just thought I’d share!

For all the courageous, brave, bold, team players out there, maybe this will ring a bell for you and encourage you.

Speak up for the voiceless, but not for the capable, yet unwilling. There’s a vast difference. Instead, empower people to use their voice with courage, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable.

Today I was chatting with a friend and shared how I have always been the person people use in order to ask or say the “scary” things they don’t want to ask or be responsible for the rejection or repercussions of (kind of like a scapegoat). For example: if there is an issue or concern with something that everyone in a group is seeing, they may say, “Amy can you ask about that in the meeting?” Or “Amy can you speak to them about this situation for me, I’m nervous?”

A year ago, I’d be the one to say “sure, I don’t mind”. What I thought I was doing was helping, but now realize that I was enabling. I have had to repent for allowing people to remain timid behind my voice and willingness to speak up.

I have been recovering from co-dependency (as a “rescuer”) for a over a year and oh my goodness I have seen God do so many things in my heart and break me free from that. It’s unhealthy and enables people to not step into a space where God may be stretching them in.

As one who desires to help, I have had to learn that the line of leading & enabling is often thin. I have found myself in the tension of navigating how to use my voice for the voiceless and to remain silent when my voice or courage are used for others to hide behind. I have also had to learn for to empower people to step into that awkward tension of pressing through timidity.

If you are one to hide behind others courage, let me just remind you that you have a voice that God wants to use too & He did not give you a timid spirit!

God indeed is making all things new & I am so very thankful!

-Amy