Elephants in My Life


Welcome to this week's a 2 z: Take 2
and the letter E.

Did you know there's an Elephant Appreciation Day? September 22nd. Good thing they put it on the calendar, otherwise most of us wouldn't stop and appreciate those elephants.

Through the years I've had many elephants. Haven't you?

No, I don't mean pet elephants, I'll leave that for the real missionaries—over in Africa. I mean those things that act as roadblocks. Yanno, mental things that keep us from doing what God has called us to do. Things like time, ability, doubts, fears, naysayers, excuses. You get my drift. Things that seem... elephantine.

It's time for us to appreciate them.

Mm hmm.
Appreciate the things that try to stop you from doing what God has called you to do. Why would anyone want to appreciate that kind of elephant? Because those elephants make us turn to One who is far greater than any elephant could ever be. They make us run to the One who is mighty to save, and as we hold on to Him in our weakness and fear, He shows Himself strong in a way that leaves no doubt in our minds that He is the One who tamed the elephant.

Are you doubting you can write what God has called you to write? “Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Fearful? “The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

Hesitant? “Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say.” Exodus 4:11-12

Nervous? “I have put My words in your mouth and have covered you with the shadow of My hand, to establish the heavens, to found the earth, and to say to Zion, 'you are My people.'” ~Isaiah 51:16

Feeling powerless to write what He's called you to write? “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord of hosts.” ~Zechariah 4:6

Each of these elephants has made me hold on to God, and God is showing Himself strong through them.

So tell me, what's the elephant in your life that's keeping you from what you really want to do?

What do you plan on doing about it? 

What are some verses you use to tame the elephants in your lives?


If you're joining us for the a2z: Take 2 meme by posting on your blog this week about the letter E, be sure to add your name and the link to that particular post in the linky gadget here.

12 comments:

  1. For me it's Energy and procrastination/wasting time. Great post!

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  2. Great post, Patty! LOVE the inspiration. My elephant is distraction. Too many dishes up in the air and I'm bound to forget about one of them. So I'm constantly checking on those other dishes and letting my daily purpose go right out the window.

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  3. Elephants! I love Elephants... the animal not the distractions.

    I would say my Elephant is distractions too. I have a tendency to get distracted easily. I will go into the kitchen for my morning coffee and while I'm brewing it think "What should I make for dinner?" So I go to the freezer to see what we have. Then I wonder what to make with it so I look in the cabinets to see how much rice we have or look to see how many potatoes. Then all that thinking about food makes me hungry so I go over to see what I can eat. This is when I look down and see my cup of coffee I forgot to sugar and cream so I put sugar and cream in it and take a sip to find its cooled off. So I try to drink it down before its completely cold and then my stomach growls and hurts reminding me I'm hungry. So then I go find something to eat remembering that I forgot to pull a meat out of the freezer for dinner, so I go pull that out and then usually by then I'm exhausted and don't know what to do next.

    Yup, that's about right. lol

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  4. I almost wrote about elephants also. One of most favorite sayings is: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. That helps me to remember that when I face any type of obstacle.

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  5. My elephants are my other responsibilities-like Marji-too many dishes in the air and the constant need to check on them.

    Amusingly (is that a word?), I, too, wrote about elephants, but not these kinds of elephants. You'll just have to come check it out.

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  6. My elephant is not in regards to writing, but about losing these last twenty pounds. What's worse, I, myself, put the elephant in the way by sabatoging my own dieting efforts. Go figure!

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  7. Great post! I have a funny story about real elephants I may have to note as a comment to Ginger's post (if it fits for that--haven't read hers yet). But for the obstacle kind of elephants, I'd have to say getting distracted / being inefficient in the use of my time would be my biggest one, too. (Glad I'm not alone!) Although I *do* have other elephants (insecurities, fear, etc.) Sometimes I think I have a whole herd of the 'ol pachyderms! ;-)

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  8. Okay what happened to last week? I thought we were on "D" oh dear. Too bad I don't have memory like an elephant!

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  9. I haven't read your post yet, but I intend to do so. I just wanted to say how surprised I was to get ready to post the link to my blog E word, to see your word is Elephant. So is mine. Who'd a thunk it. Can't wait to read all your posts.

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  10. I finally read your post Patty. Loved it. I think I have a whole herd of elephants living in my home. Distraction, being inefficient, disorganized, family distractions, then add to that all that you mentioned, like fear, low self-esteem, and so on. The scriptures you added are very helpful. I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one harboring elephants.

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  11. Absolutely distractions. I am WAY too easily distracted. Super post, sweets.

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  12. Ditto what Sandy said... My elephants are having elephants these days. I need to start putting up scriptures and driving them out! Thanks, Patty!

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