Yesterday, my husband and pastor, Bryan, brought the final message in the series Practical Atheist. He shared the story in Acts when Peter was in prison and Christians were praying for his release. When he came to the door no one believed it was really him.

If I don’t believe my prayers will be answered, then why do I pray? Is it because I think I should or because it’s what I’ve always done? God may not answer my prayers how I want, but he will answer.

Many times God has already spoken for me to do something, but instead I keep praying. Why? Do I think God is going to change his mind? When he speaks I need to act on what he says and that’s it, no excuses. He is God and he knows what is best for me and sees ahead what I cannot. If I truly believe he is God why would I not follow what he says?

Most people who know me don’t think I have insecurities, but deep down inside they’re there. What causes fear to stifle the creativity wanting to blossom inside me? Why do my words become tangled and my heart pound when I want to speak to a crowd?

Over the summer, I slowly digested So Long Insecurity: You’ve Been a Bad Friend to Us By Beth Moore. I learned a few things through the process.

• I had been comparing myself to others, and God made me to be me.
• Every woman has insecurities.
• My weakness can be my strength if I rely on Christ.
• God made me in his image and I am exactly what he wanted me to be.

Since reading this book, God has allowed me to overcome fears in a few areas of my life. I volunteered to share a message, August 1st, with our congregation in both services, while my husband was recovering from surgery. I have had terrible stage fright in the past, but not that day.

I am thankful to Beth Moore for sharing the intimate details of her life to help other women like me.