Released from Captivity by Pam Russell

Today’s Pearls of Promise guest blogger is Pam Russell. Pam is passionate about inspiring others to listen for God’s promptings, learning to recognize His voice and believing in divine appointments in their life. Pam is a native Texan, author, single mom, dog lover and entrepreneur that lives in the Dallas area. She loves spending time with God, friends and family and appreciates a good sense of humor.  She is the founder and President of Pam Russell LLC, a business coaching, training and inspirational speaking company. She is also the owner and President of Proforma Specialty Marketing, a printing and promotional products company.  She also blogs about how God transformed her life via her journey though grief.  Blog:  www.secretsinakitchencabinet.com  Business: www.pam-russell.com

It’s 1 a.m. and God won’t let me sleep until I get this out.  I shared with a friend today that I haven’t written lately.  I had so much to share back in October when I started writing.  About grief.  About working through my feelings.

The struggles.

The triumphs.

Now that I have released it.  Told the secret to everyone.  It’s as if I don’t have it anymore.  The grief.  The burden has been lifted.  Burden may be the wrong word.  Grieving my parents was not a burden.  It was a journey.  The journey continues but it is being lit by a different lamp light.  The light from God’s lamp.

The light of freedom.

The light of renewal.

The light of healed and whole.

My life verse right now is:

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.”  Jeremiah 29:13-14

I have been released from captivity. Brought back.

Are you being held captive?

By grief?

By guilt?

By shame?

By the comparison prison?

By regret?

By self-doubt?

By _____?

It is hard to unlock the door when it is so dark you can’t see the lock or the key.

I have discovered some amazing things by choosing to walk through my grief, my feelings, my pain.  Things that can happen in your life should you choose to do the same.

Cleansing

I am lighter.  Emotional weight has been processed and released.  It doesn’t mean I don’t miss my parents anymore.  I do.  Every day.  It means that their deaths no longer define me.  Their lives do.  I am defined by their lives, not their death.  I still have moments, especially when I hear of a tragic death, of sadness and crying.  But now it comes from a place of compassion and empathy, not unresolved grief.

Clarity

I can see things more clearly.  The fog has lifted.  I am clear on my purpose, my passion, my priorities, my principles.  In my personal and business life.  As a result of this newly found clarity, my sales coaching business is gaining traction.  Opportunities are presenting themselves.  If I can’t see clearly who and how I serve then how can other people be clear that I am the one to serve (coach) them?  They can’t.

I am also discovering what I like to do for ‘fun’.  Hard to do that as an entrepreneur but it is an important part of finding your passion and living with purpose.

Confidence

Walking through the dark places and embracing the light has given me more confidence.  I believe people in my life would say that I have always been confident.  I somewhat disagree.  Yes, I can go into a room of people I don’t know and make instant friends.  To me that isn’t all about confidence.  I am now confident in me as I am today.

I am enough.

The me that still needs to lose weight.

The me that speaks my mind in a very straight as an arrow way.  No nonsense.

The me that now speaks my truth.  About feelings.  About thoughts.  About everything.

The me that is me.  Unique.  Perfectly imperfect.

Here’s the Deal

Captivity can keep you from doing great things.  It can rob you of discovering and growing into your passion and your purpose.

Captivity is a place that holds purpose and passion captive.  In a deep dark place.  Shine a light in that place and watch them both begin to bloom.

What is holding you captive?  What is the key that releases you from captivity?

Captive.  Courageous.  Complete.