How to Move Past the Empty Room

What’s something that holds us back? Is it something from our past? Is it a label? A failed attempt? Fear of rejection? Others’ words? Our own insecurities?

I think if most of us are honest, there are things–those hide-in-the-bottom-drawer kinds of things–that we tend to tamp down. It’s easier, “cleaner,” and somehow prettier if we don’t name our stumbling blocks, lest we be discovered.

 

And it’s certainly a lot more comfortable to linger in our man-made rooms.

 

 They’re sterile.

 

They’re safe.

 

They’re familiar.

 

But there’s a problem with sterile, safe, and familiar. Often, those types of “rooms” are bland. Lifeless. Empty. Those rooms don’t challenge or inspire us to greatness.

 

To move past the walls of our empty rooms we must be willing to take risks. And that’s hard. Taking risks means removing our masks and dropping our façades.

 

Living life to its fullest certainly doesn’t involve an empty room. It’s exactly the opposite. Living the life that God intended means stepping to the doorway, braving the wind, and venturing out in the sunshine where beauty awaits. Simply put: we can choose the vivid imagery of life or we can park ourselves in our drab, barren rooms. He gives us the choice.

 

So then, how do we move past the empty room when we’re afraid, disillusioned, and alone?

 

Well, I’m glad you asked.

 

Here’s how:

 

• First and foremost, PRAY for God’s direction. Actively seek His will. If answers aren’t forthcoming right away, don’t give up. Ask fellow prayer warriors to pray, too. It’s not being weak-kneed to enlist prayers on our behalf.

 

•  Get your Sunday-go-to-meeting clothes ready and be prepared to move. Many times our prayers are answered in miraculous ways we might not expect. God honors a faithful mindset.

 

• Make a list of all the things you want to accomplish as you move past the empty room. Make a list of goals, hopes, and dreams and post the list where you can see it. Highlight those ambitions that are most important. Envision success. There’s incredible power in a positive attitude.

 

• Surround yourself with encouragers. Think like a winner! Don’t allow Downer Dans and Negative Nancys to rain on your parade. They’re still camped out in the empty room. You’re moving past that.

 

• Dress for success. Think confident. Wear colors that complement. We feel better when we look our best and it shows.

 

• Cancel your subscription to the “poor me” club. Bad things may have happened and maybe you’ve made some poor choices. Admit it, own it, and move on. We’ve all been there. The biggest thing, I think, is not to let our circumstances define us, but for us to decide how we can grow from them.

 

• Once you move past your empty room, firmly close the door. You have a new vision and a new mindset. There’s no need to re-visit that place of discontent ever again. That room is a place in your past. The world outside that room is your future!

 

To celebrate the début of her new book Wildflowers from Winter, Katie Ganshert recently shared stories of hope on her blog. (See Katie’s 05/04/12 Wildflowers from Winter Blog Tour post.) In this particular post, several lovely women talked about personal trials and how they overcame life’s deepest hurts and adversities.

Talk about moving past their empty rooms–these ladies threw open the doors and marched forward on faith! It couldn’t have been easy to share such intimate details from their lives. As I read some of the stories from Katie’s blog, I was amazed by the candor displayed, as well as the courage it took for these women to put themselves “out there.” Visit today for a dose of inspiration.

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Have you ever had to move past your empty room?

What can you share about your journey?

Photo Credit: Danilo Razzuti/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Blessings Always,