For many years I struggled with crippling fear, specifically in social situations. I was constantly caring about what others thought of me, obsessed with others’ perception of how I looked, what I said, and who I was. Social anxiety was a prison and a stronghold over my life. Maybe you don’t have something as severe as social anxiety, but you’ve noticed that you care a little too much about what others may think of you, or you tend to base most of your decisions on the approval of others. Has this fear of man caused you to become a bit of a recluse? Slinking into the shadows to avoid the spotlight for fear of being judged? Or maybe it has the opposite effect and has caused you to become a people-pleaser, perpetually trying to make everyone happy and molding yourself into what everyone else wants you to be.

Before I knew the importance of rooting my identity in Christ, I had based my identity on my social status. Whether searching for personal significance in a relationship, a successful career, or a tight-knit community, I sought fulfillment in these things for SO LONG! I mean longer than I would like to admit. But don't get me wrong. A thriving relationship, career, and a close community of friends are important. But when pursuing these things becomes the most important, we fall into the trap of using them to define our worth.

"I have a dream…!" This famous line from Martin Luther King Jr. did not resonate with me as a child. Now, as an adult, I have many dreams. My dreams continually change based on my season of life. Sometimes I would become confused about a particular dream, whether I should pursue it or if it was one I should release from myself. Have you ever felt like this? Lost. Confused. Worried. You're not alone, sister. We have all felt this way. When it comes to finding our path in life, there is no one way. The path ahead of us can feel like a maze, an incredibly frustrating and long maze