No Vacancy

One year for the Fourth of July, when I was around nine years old, we loaded up for a road trip to Tampa, Florida, to celebrate with my aunt and her family. On the way back home, my dad decided to stop to get a hotel room for the night. (Side note, this was the mid-90s. My parents didn’t own a cell phone, and online hotel reservations weren't a thing). My sister and I looked out the car window, searching for familiar hotels, but it was almost like a failed game of I-Spy. All we saw were neon hotel signs that read, "No Vacancy" down the strip. 

My mom, a little persistent, told my dad to stop at one of the hotels with no vacancies to check if they had any last-minute cancellations. So, he did. She returned to the car and said, "no rooms available, not even a suite," as we had expected.

How often do you turn on your "No Vacancy" sign when fear, doubt, uneasiness, and even anger creep up out of nowhere? Do you say to these emotional spirits, "There is no room for you here today, or do you make space for them?"

Giving way to such emotions can paralyze your thinking and progress, hindering productivity and sometimes your ability to walk in your purpose: "It's not going to work." "You aren't good enough." "You are not valued and appreciated; walk away." 

No more-there is no room for fear, doubt, and anxiousness in your story. Speak to these mountains and believe; they will be moved (Mark 11:23).

You will succeed: "God will guide you along the best pathway for your life. He will advise you and watch over you" (Psalms 32:8).

You can do it: "God is the strength of your heart and your portion forever" (Psalm 73:26)

Fear does not dwell within you: "For God has not given you a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind" ( 2 Timothy 1:7).