I Have Strengths
Guest Blog: Chantel Denie
My friend Chantel is a wildly gifted musician and hip-hop dancer. She is a singer-songwriter and her fervent passion is for people to know their true worth and identity in Jesus Christ. Chantel has made decisions and sacrifices through the past few years, allowing her to hone her strengths and pursue her God-given purpose while developing her voice and message for the world. Lean in to her call for you to unlock courage in your own life as you develop your unique strengths, too.
I Found Freedom When I Found My Strengths
Chantel Denie
“Comparison Is the Thief of Joy”
– Theodore Roosevelt.
This is one of my all time favourite quotes. In our society today it is easy to live in a constant state of comparison. Media and social media is like a thread that that has woven itself into our minds so we compare ourselves to everyone. As Theodore Roosevelt states, living this way robs us of our joy. One of the most impacting things in my life has been discovering my gifts and strengths and learning to live in them. When we know who we are and what we are gifted in, it allows us to let go of the things we are not and just be! If you find yourself feeling drained, constantly striving to prove yourself, you probably are not living in your strengths but could be trying to copy someone else. It is not easy to let go of the things you might want to be but you are not gifted in; but it is freeing once you can. Instead of feeling like you have to be everything, know your strengths and lean into others who have gifts that are different then yours. Celebrate others and their differences and stop the comparison spiral.
“Take every thought captive…” (2 Corinthians 10:5) Cut the thread of comparison and live in the freedom of knowing that you are enough. You do not have to be good at everything, no one is. God has uniquely designed you with the gifts and abilities that He wanted you to have to live in the plan He has for you. No one has the same combinations and life experience as you so learn to embrace who you are and let go of what you are not and live in the freedom and joy that comes with just being who you are created to be.
A little more about Chantel:
Chantel Denie
Music has always been a significant part of Chantel’s life. Growing up, she studied classical music but always aspired to write and play her own music. She discovered R&B and hip-hop music in high school and was instantly in love with (what was for her) this new sound. As a singer-songwriter her sound is influenced by: Lauryn Hill, Alicia Keys and Emeli Sande. She writes from a place of vulnerability and is fiercely passionate for people to know their true value, worth and purpose. With music being a source of healing, inspiration, and connection in her own life, she desires to use her music to do the same for others. You can read more about Chantel and her crew at www.legacyone.ca.
