#DiscoverClout Killer #5- Insecurity

Sorry for the delay in Clout post. (I hope you got your copy ordered when it released a couple of weeks ago!---if not, go get it now! )

... another reason this has taken so long to write (i could blame a stinkin crazy few weeks, or being sick,or a broken computer...all of which are true, but...) , the main reason is ... I had a hard time processing this chapter. as in... It took a while for the truth spoken here to break  through the barriers of my heart. This chapter struck a nerve. I'm convinced as people read this book,they will identify with one or more chapters. This was my chapter. I stopped reading the book at this chapter and just read this chapter over & over... mainly to be able to clearly portray this to those who read this. And to let the truth penetrate and wash me clean. That said...Here goes.

Sometimes, as a leader, admitting your confidence wavers occasionally , or that something came up that you need help with or don't know how to handle may seem like it would make you a inferior leader, or weak... but let's remember the chipped mug,shall we?And that in our weakness,His strength shines through. 

As Jenni so graciously pointed out, everyone fights insecurity sometimes...but it becomes clout compromising when it becomes perpetual.

How does insecurity affect out Clout? It "blinds us to our potential because we can't see beyond our weaknesses." Insecurity leads to being influenced rather than influencing, and portrays you wrongly- as aloof & insensitive, prideful, or with a false air of confidence... and controlling and inflexible. Insecure Leaders blame others, fault find with everyone else,and resist feedback...for starters.

How do we confront it?

Prayerfully identify where your insecurities are... and Let the creator remind you how loved you are... and then help others realize the same!

#DiscoverClout Killer #4, Scarcity

"scarcity also taught me darker things. It taught me to hoard, protect, and defend. It taught me to be skeptical. It taught me to play it safe and minimize risk. At times it has robbed me of having a generous heart, and it has often convinced me that I’m all on my own. It has even led me to believe that no one else cares and to question whether God is really there."

"Scarcity subconsciously causes us to lead from two dangerous

perspectives:

1. It’s all about me.

2. I need more."

It impacts our Clout through our words, time, and opportunities.

We feel need, we are tightly wound, and "snappy" in our reactions. 

We feel need, we feel we don't have time to encourage,or listen,or help others we are leading. 

We feel need,so we feel we can't afford to share opportunities for the limelight or resources.  Once  again,  "it's all about ME".

How do we confront Scarcity, and switch to the mindset of generosity ?

By realizing - taking to heart, and BELIEVING - we are enough. Just as we are. No more buildings,money,meetings, people,degrees,BMW's, or whatever, are needed to make us accepted. WE ARE ACCEPTED - JUST AS WE ARE....and *shocker* so are others.

When we realize,and live out of this truth, we can't help but be generous with praise,encouragement, and providing others opportunities to shine...and being there to rejoice with them!

#DiscoverClout killer #3,Jealousy

This is part 4 of a series of Discovering our Clout, based on Jenni Cantron's book Clout,being released Jan 21! We are currently going through and discovering what things kill our clout -influence- as leaders. #3 on the list is 

Jenni defines Jealousy as "the irrational fear of losing something or someone valuable to you-with an emphasis on losing to someone else." She points out that it keeps us on a perpetual quest for the attention,affection, and affirmation of others... and that it is an old,old,old device . Cain + Abel,Jacob+Esau,Rachel+Leah, Saul and David. Once again, she points out that it is rooted,as all the clout killers are, in fear...fear of I'm not enough... I need more. 

Jealousy dangers include  Splintered relationships,negative multiplication, and ungrateful attitudes. 

Not to mention,disunity in the body when we are grumbling over someone's blessings instead of rejoicing with them!!! Oh,how good it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! 

ok,so how do we conquer jealousy? Affirmation and celebration! Affirming ourselves-and others- with the Word,and who they are in Christ---accepted,free,loved,valuable. and Celebrating the work of the unified body!!!!!!!! 

I couldn't resist,so enjoy,and celebrate the uniqueness that are you!!...

#DiscoverClout Killer #2 -Comparison

Clout Killer #2 is Comparison. 

Jenni points out that "Everything about us is measured from the day we are born...height and weight... growth... athletic ability... academic prowess... salaries... social status...Our American culture begs us to compare and conform from the time we are born." (page 19) 

but yet, Paul reminds us..

"Don't compare yourself with others" (Gal 6:4-5 MSG)

What are the dangers of comparison?

• distorted views of ourselves (and others!)
• leads to other sins( jealousy, envy, insecurity) 
• robs us of individuality (it robs us - and others- of ... us! the REAL, GENUINE, AWESOME US WE WERE CREATED TO BE !)
• distracts, demotivates, and discourages us (Been there...totally true!)
• erodes unity

OK... so now, we realize the dangers, how do we conquer it? 

Jenni suggest exchanging comparison for FOCUS, focusing on the tasks we've been given (and doing them to the best of our ability, trusting His strength to come through on the rest! ) I want to add also, to continually remind - and let Our creator remind us- how precious and accepted we are *and always have been and always will be* in His eyes... and soak in His love for us - and others- and let that change us from the inside out, and the need for comparison won't be there. and we can rest in how much we are loved - for ever and always- and our focus won't be comparison, but letting others know how much they're loved!

Stay tuned for Clout Killer #3, Jealousy, coming soon! 

#DiscoverClout Killer #1 -Fear

Page 5 boldly states :

We fear that who we are is not enough, so we deal with jealousy. We fear not having enough, so we live out of scarcity. We fear not being good enough, so we live with insecurity. We fear not being strong enough, so we cover it up with pride. We fear not measuring up to others, so we wrestle with comparison. We fear chaos, so we grapple for control.

Jenni also explains how Fear hides,isolates,and paralyzes.


But how do we confront this fear,and begin to confront the other Clout killers? Jenni reminds us that  as great as our fear might be, the promise is greater...

"Again and again in the Bible God told his children not to be afraid."... and "I am with You always!"

Page 7 says :

We often confront our greatest fear at the crossroads of influence.
We face our greatest fear at the threshold of our greatest
opportunity to make an impact. Not to confront this fear would be to deny
who we are created to be. We’d be sabotaging the very calling and purpose we are designed for.

When I read this, this picture of Queen Esther in One Night with the King came to mind...

Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence

Jenni Catron, Executive Director of Crosspoint TV,and co-author of  Just Lead, has a new book , 

Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence being released the end of next month. 

I was privileged to acquire an advanced copy to share with you! 

I will be doing a series of blog posts as we discover what Clout is, how to confront The 7 Clout Killers of

1. Fear
2. Comparison
3. Jealousy
4. Scarcity
5. Insecurity
6. Pride
7. Control

and what we can do to cultivate Godly Clout to impact the world around us! Stay Tuned...

next post...Confronting Fear!

Jesus > Religion

Have you ever met a new friend, with whom you were like "YES! Someone who understands!"

It's like hearing your heart and thoughts echoed back to you...

That's what Jefferson Bethke's book, Jesus > Religion (Being released Oct 7) was like for me.

Jeff shares pure grace. How we don't have to do (nor CAN'T) do anything to earn or lose the Father's love for us.

"God broke me to fix me because He loved me." -pg 6
"Religion says do,Jesus says done." -  pg 28
"When Jesus told the first disciples to love their enemies,he didn't add " as long as they look like you,talk like you,and act like you". Loving your enemies means loving THEM ." -pg 63
"We don't want to take advantage of it{grace} because because there is nothing better out there to take advantage of it for." -pg 152


This is an encouraging,challenging book that will provide fresh revelations of the Fathers love toward you! It will change how you view yourself,your relationship with the Father,and how you view others around you! WELL worth the time and investment!

Check out the Poem that started the book!:

Connect with Jesus> Religion *AND CHECK OUT THE GIVEAWAYS* here:

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