God wants you to step out of the dark shadows of fear and into the bright light of His love where others can experience His love through you and the gifts and talents He has given you.

Many times God is just waiting for us to say yes! So, consider this: Is God waiting for you to say yes about something? Has He given you a talent that you’ve been hiding because of fear?

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” -2 Timothy 1:7

God can deliver you if you will recognize fear, repent for hiding your God-given gifts, and say yes to the Lord.

Ultimately, you and I will individually stand and look into the eyes of Jesus one day to give an account for what we did or didn’t do with what He gave us.

If we're faithful, we will make use of our opportunities, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant. And we'll be so busy 'about our Father's business' that we won't have time to compare ourselves with others' gifts and talents and with what they're doing for the Lord.

We are responsible for what we've been given, and we will be held accountable for the effective use of the gifts and talents placed within us by God.

In God’s plan, there is no room for comparison or competition among His people, because we each have been given gifts and talents by God that are unique. And everyone has received talent equal to his or her God-given ability.

And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” – Luke 2:49

We can be assured that however many God-given talents we possess (and we each have a gift), God has also given us the ability to maximize their potential! God is the giver of talents and gifts. It’s our responsibility to manage and steward what He has given us. He will help us!

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. – Psalm 139:14

There are gifts that have been placed within you simply because you were made by God in His image. You may not be developing your God-given gifts yet, but they are still a part of you, just waiting to be used!

If you haven't already discovered and begun using your God-given talents, I pray that those talents will be unearthed and realized in you so that you can begin investing them in God's Kingdom for the blessing and benefit of others.

As the world around us grows darker and darker, I encourage you to continue taking the time to pour out your heart to God.

I can promise you this — there will be many occasions in the coming days when you will need to be filled with His love and compassion as you give it out to others.

We each have a powerful place of influence in our homes, our communities, and in society. So don’t settle for where you are today. Determine to go higher and deeper with God and to improve and enrich the relationships that are so important in your life.

God has just the right words and He knows exactly what you need at any moment. As you take the time to fellowship with Him, He will fill you up for the benefit of others.

Let’s not be found carrying around weights that will only cause us to stumble. Instead, let’s pour out our hearts to the Lord, casting our cares on Him. Let’s obtain mercy at His wonderful throne of grace and push forward, forgetting the past and embracing the future.

The Bible says we can run into the name of the Lord and be safe so you can take great comfort in knowing there is a place of refuge in His great name

During trying times like these, it is very important to thank God and to maintain that mindset of utter trust and gratitude toward Him.