Embracing Weakness

Weaknesses. We all have them. They’re like shadows—always there but often ignored. And in a world obsessed with strengths, highlighting our weak spots feels counterintuitive. But here’s the twist: recognizing your weaknesses doesn’t have to be an invitation to stress or a nod to insecurity. It can be liberating.

The moment you understand a weakness, you seize control. You’re no longer in the dark, subject to some unseen force pulling your strings. Knowing is half the battle, right? The challenge is to not let this awareness spiral into a self-fulfilling prophecy of doom.

Don’t look at a weakness as a final verdict on your character or capability. It’s just a data point, a guidepost signaling where you might need a bit more focus, more effort, or maybe even an ally to complement you.

Weaknesses aren’t fixed landmarks; they’re shifting sands. Today’s weakness could be tomorrow’s strength, given enough attention and the right circumstances. In the meantime, work with them, not against them. Shape them into challenges, puzzles to solve, opportunities for growth.

Stop wrestling with your weaknesses to fit into some societal mold of perfection. Accept them. Learn from them. Pivot when you must. But whatever you do, don’t let them dictate your worth or consume you with stress. They’re just pieces of a much larger, complex, and continually evolving puzzle that is you. And puzzles are meant to be solved, not feared.

The Futility of Anger Over Trivial Matters

We’ve all been there—angry about something so inconsequential it’s almost laughable in hindsight. Whether it’s a driver cutting you off or your coffee order being wrong, these small irritations can fester into full-blown anger. But here’s the kicker: getting angry over dumb things hurts no one but you. It raises your stress levels, affects your mental well-being, and wastes your valuable time. In the grand scheme of things, these minor issues are just that—minor. Letting them hijack your emotions only gives them power they don’t deserve. So, take a breath, let it go, and save your energy for what truly matters.

My Weekend Oasis: Books, Buttons, and Touchdowns

Ah, the weekend. Those glorious two days where I can finally take off the work hat and just be myself. You know what that means? Time to dive into my three favorite things: reading, video gaming, and, oh yeah, the start of college football season.

So, first thing’s first. Books. There’s something about losing myself in a new story that’s like hitting the refresh button on my brain. I could be in the middle of the most hectic week ever, but give me a good book, and it’s like an instant vacation. In a way, each page turned is a step away from stress, a mini-holiday for my overworked neurons.

But hey, reading isn’t my only escape hatch. Let’s talk video games. Whether it’s a first-person shooter, an intricate RPG, or just a good ol’ platformer, games give me this sandbox where I can hop in and just mess around. The real world has enough rules, thank you very much. When I’m gaming, I’m the one setting the pace, deciding what challenge I’ll conquer next.

Now, let’s not forget the cherry on top. College football is back, baby! There’s something about the start of the season that feels like cracking open a can of pure excitement. Maybe it’s the crowd roaring from the TV speakers or the drama that unfolds on the field. Either way, when it’s game time, you bet I’m glued to the screen, caught up in every pass, tackle, and—yes!—touchdown.

So that’s my weekend in a nutshell. A good book in one hand, a game controller in the other, and college football on the screen. And you know what? It’s exactly what I need to recharge and tackle another week. Can’t ask for a better way to spend my downtime.

He Must Increase

“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John 3:30 ESV

This scripture has been on my mind a lot recently. It’s a challenging principle to embody. While we may outwardly express a desire for God to take center stage, there’s often an internal murmur hoping for our own elevation too.

“Hey, God. I want you to increase. But, if I could increase a little as well that would be great.”

This tension magnifies when you’re an author striving to both write and promote your work. In an industry where building a platform is crucial, humility and contentment become the elusive virtues we all seek.

Too much success can lead us to erect personal empires, while too little can trigger jealousy, causing us to undermine others’ accomplishments.

My aspiration as a writer is to capture the hearts of young boys and men who are disenchanted with reading. I want to turn their apathy into a love for storytelling.

Yet, when they follow me, on social media, my blog, etc. I don’t want them to see a cultural warrior steeped in politics or riveting with anger. I want to aim for them to see a reflection of Jesus. Have I succeeded in that?

So, how does one sideline their ego? How do you arrive at a point where you’re comfortable with being sidelined yourself?

It’s a tough conundrum.

At the end of the day, our mission as authors should be to inspire thoughts that lead people closer to Jesus.

Do my stories do that? Does my presence?