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Have you ever felt an inner nudge to step out, to speak up, or to start something bold, but you held back because you didn’t feel “ready” or “good enough”? That hesitation, though subtle, is often rooted in fear, and as children of God, playing small is not just self-limiting, it’s spiritually dangerous.

Playing Small

1. Diminishes God’s glory through your life. God didn’t create you to hide. In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus declares, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” When you play small, when you downplay your gifts, you essentially place that light under a basket. That’s not humility, it’s disobedience.
2. Delays destiny and purpose. God wired you with specific gifts and talents meant to serve a generation. Think of Esther, had she remained silent, deliverance would have come from elsewhere, but she and her family would have missed out on their divine assignment (Esther 4:14).
3. Breeds comparison and insecurity. When you suppress your identity, you begin to look at others to define your worth. This can lead to jealousy, imposter syndrome, and resentment. But when you embrace your God-given uniqueness, you shift from comparison to collaboration.
4. Robs others of their blessing. There are people whose breakthroughs are tied to your obedience. Your story, your leadership, your voice, someone needs it. Playing small keeps them in the dark a little longer.

As humans, we often play small for;

• Fear of failure: What if I try and don’t succeed?
• Fear of judgment: What will people say?
• Fear of responsibility: Can I handle what comes with success?
• False humility: Mistaking self-deprecation for modesty.
• Fear of being wounded again: Childhood rejections or failures that still echo.

These fears are real, but they are not truth, because God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

How to Overcome the Fear of Playing Big

1. Renew your mind with the truth of God’s word. Soak yourself in scriptures that affirm your identity. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13) “I am a chosen generation, a royal priesthood…” (1 Peter 2:9) Replace the lies with the truth of who you are in Christ.
2. Stay close to the Source. The bolder your assignment, the deeper your intimacy with God must be. Daily prayer and worship build spiritual confidence. The more time you spend with the Father, the more His voice becomes louder than your fear.
3. Start small, but start. You don’t have to launch a global ministry tomorrow. But take the first step, make the call, share the post, volunteer, speak up in that meeting. Obedience in the little opens the door to the greater.
4. Surround yourself with kingdom giants. Find people who challenge and inspire you. Iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Sometimes we need someone to remind us of the greatness we’re carrying.
5. It’s not about you. The fear of playing big often comes from focusing too much on self. But when you remember it’s about glorifying God and blessing others, courage rises. Your life is a platform for His power.

You were never meant to blend in. You were born to stand out, for the glory of God. Don’t bury your talents, don’t mute your voice, and don’t hide your presence. Lives are waiting on the other side of your obedience.

So rise. Shine. Take your place.

You were MADE FOR MORE.

Iamhenrylong

In life, business, and career, we’re often presented with two options – maintain what we have or multiply what we’ve been given. The truth is maintenance feels safe, predictable and comfortable, but the truth is, nothing truly grows by just staying the same. Whether you’re a professional building your career or an entrepreneur growing your business, there’s a powerful mindset shift you must embrace – Maintenance Is About Survival and Multiplication Is About Expansion.

Think of the parable of the talents according to Matthew 25. The servant who maintained the one talent given to him burying it to keep it “safe” wasn’t celebrated. He was rebuked. But the servants who multiplied what they were given? They were honored, promoted, and entrusted with more. Why? Because multiplication reflects vision, risk, and faithful stewardship.

Maintenance Looks Like:

• Doing just enough to keep the lights on
• Avoiding new markets or strategies out of fear
• Sticking to outdated methods “because they’ve always worked”
• Playing not to lose

Multiplication Looks Like:

• Hiring or collaborating strategically to expand your capacity
• Upskilling and positioning yourself for the next level
• Launching new products, services, or revenue streams
• Taking calculated risks that stretch your current limits
• Saying “yes” to new challenges, even when they scare you

I am sure you already know that the world doesn’t reward potential, it rewards performance. The business that scales intelligently will overtake the one that plays it safe. The professional who invests in visibility, growth, and networking will always outpace the one who hides behind a desk and hopes to be noticed. If your goal is impact, influence, or income, you can’t afford to settle for just “keeping things running.” You must multiply.

It is important to note that multiplication requires 3 key shifts:

1. Mindset Shift. Instead of asking “How can I survive this year?”, start asking “How can I 10x my impact?”
2. Systems Shift. Build scalable structures, not just daily routines. Systems help you multiply without burning out.
3. People Shift. Surround yourself with growth-minded individuals. Multiplication doesn’t happen in isolation.

Multiplication over maintenance is a call to action. It’s not about working harder, it’s about working wiser, braver, and more intentionally. Whether you’re in ministry, the marketplace, or managing a side hustle, the goal should always be expansion, not for ego, but for impact.

Are you maintaining what you’ve built or multiplying what you’ve been given?

The difference between where you are and where you’re called to be might just be one bold, multiplication-focused decision away.

You were MADE FOR MORE.

Iamhenrylong

In December 2024, I set out to complete a personal project that meant a lot to me. It was something I had been planning for months, a clear goal with a set date and a purpose attached. I had done my homework. I had identified a couple of solid professionals who had the expertise, track record, and structure to deliver the project within three weeks, as needed. But then, a friend mentioned they could handle the project. My heart leapt. Here was an opportunity to not only get the job done but also support a friend. The emotional pull was strong, and even though I had my doubts, I convinced myself it would work out.

So I handed the project over.

What followed was a journey of unmet deadlines, vague communication, and excuse after excuse. The project which should have taken no more than three weeks dragged on for two months. And the worst part? I missed the date I had set for the goal. The window I was preparing for closed before the job was even halfway done.

I was frustrated. Not just at the delay, but at myself. I did not lose money, but I lost time, lost momentum, lost the satisfaction of meeting my own deadline and celebrating a personal win.

Because deep down, I knew that I had made the decision from a place of emotion, not discernment. I had placed loyalty over logic, friendship over functionality. And it cost me not money, but time, momentum, and a personal milestone I had hoped to celebrate.

Just because something is “personal” doesn’t mean it should be treated casually. If the goal is real, then the process must be treated with the same seriousness as a corporate deliverable.

This taught me;

• Don’t let emotional attachment cloud your judgment.
• Don’t sacrifice excellence on the altar of sentiment.
• Don’t confuse kindness with compromise.

Supporting friends is noble, but it must come with structure, boundaries, and clear expectations. Otherwise, you risk losing both the result and the relationship.

So next time you’re faced with a similar decision, ask yourself: Am I being professional or just being emotional?

Because sometimes, the wisest thing you can do for yourself (and for your friends) is to let the professionals do what they’re trained to do.

Always remember that emotions are not the enemy, but when they sit in the driver’s seat of decision-making, they can take you places you never intended to go.

Thank you for reading. If this resonated with you, feel free to share your own story or thoughts in the comments. Let’s grow together.

You were MADE FOR MORE

Iamhenrylong

Two women came to King Solomon, both living in the same house and both recently giving birth. One child had died during the night, and each claimed the surviving child as her own. No witnesses. No cameras. No evidence. One woman’s word against another. Solomon didn’t have DNA tests. He couldn’t rely on data or documents. And logic alone couldn’t solve the dispute.

Instead, Solomon leaned on discernment, the wisdom that sees beyond what is said or seen. It is called DIVINE WISDOM. He said, “Bring me a sword… Cut the living child in two and give half to each woman.” One woman agreed. The other cried out, “Please, my lord, give her the living baby! Don’t kill him!”

Solomon immediately knew the true mother.

When faced with complexity and high-stakes decisions, most people default to one of three methods:

• Logic – what makes sense intellectually. Logic helps you define the problem, and the first step in problem solving is defining the problem. Solomon asked the right questions. He listened carefully, but logic alone didn’t give him the answer. Use logic to organize your thinking, clarify the problem, outline options, and remove emotional noise.
• Data – what evidence or facts support a decision. Data is important, but not always sufficient. In today’s world, we rely heavily on data but like Solomon’s case, sometimes the data isn’t available or is incomplete. That’s where discernment becomes critical. Let data inform, not control you, gather evidence, but stay open to insight that may challenge the numbers.
• Intuition – what “feels” right deep within. Intuition offers insight, but it must be tested. Your gut feeling can often sense what the mind hasn’t fully processed. But as Solomon showed, intuition is not final, it is a starting point for deeper probing. Trust your intuition but test it.

But wise decision-making, especially for leaders, entrepreneurs, and executives requires all three, harmonized and married with discernment.

Discernment is operating with supernatural wisdom. It helps you pick up what’s beneath the surface: motives, emotions, unspoken truths. It’s the wisdom that comes from a spirit trained by truth, experience, and dependence on God.

Seek discernment through prayer, reflection, and counsel. As Solomon did,

• ask God for “a discerning heart.”
• Surround yourself with people who tell the truth, not just what’s comfortable.

In your business, career, or personal life, when faced with decisions that seem cloudy, overwhelming, or urgent, remember this:

Data may tell you what happened. Logic may suggest what to do. Intuition may whisper what feels right. But discernment rooted in divine wisdom reveals what truly is.

And when you walk in that kind of wisdom, your decisions won’t just be smart…they’ll be transformative.

You were MADE FOR MORE.

Iamhenrylong

One of Nehemiah’s greatest accomplishments wasn’t just the wall, it was the team he built to make it happen. From the ashes of ruin, he assembled a group of ordinary people who achieved the extraordinary: rebuilding Jerusalem’s broken walls in just 52 days.

That’s not just Bible history; it’s leadership in action. And I’ve seen it work firsthand.

A few years ago, as a parish pastor with The Redeemed Christian Church of God, I found myself at a similar crossroads. We were worshipping in a rented facility. It was comfortable, affordable, and easy to manage. But then came a divine instruction, “Vacate the rented space. Go and build.” Humanly speaking, it didn’t make sense. But obedience demanded action. I gathered the leaders and church members to share the vision. More importantly, I prayerfully handpicked a small team. I equipped them, empowered them, and together we took the first step, just like Nehemiah.

What happened next was nothing short of miraculous. Members began showing up almost every Sunday evening, carrying blocks, packing sand, clearing the site, sweating for a cause they believed in. Week after week, brick by brick, the structure began to rise. Today, by God’s grace, the building is nearing completion and is scheduled for dedication on July 27, 2025.

So how do you move from vision to victory? From ruins to results? Like Nehemiah, you need more than a good plan, you need a high-performance team. Let’s dive into Nehemiah’s success blueprint and discover timeless strategies for building teams that don’t just work—but win.

1. Select People with the Right Heart, Not Just Skill

Before the wall could rise, Nehemiah had to rally the right people. He didn’t call for warriors, he called for willing workers. The builders included priests, merchants, and even perfume makers (Nehemiah 3). They had heart and ownership of the vision.

When building a high-performance team, don’t only look for competence, look for commitment and alignment. Select people who understand the why of the work, have the humility to serve and are loyal to the cause and not just the paycheck. Assess values, emotional intelligence, and willingness to learn, not just resumes and certifications.

2. Cast the Vision Clearly and Inspire Action

Nehemiah didn’t just say, “Let’s build.” He shared the state of the ruins (problem awareness), the favor of God and support from the king (vision backing) and a compelling call to action, and this moved people from passive hearers to active builders.

This tells us that a high-performance team needs a clear and compelling vision. The leader must explain the why before the what, inspire belief in the mission and share personal conviction and divine direction. You can use storytelling and testimony to communicate purpose. Let people see how their role connects to the bigger picture.

3. Equip and Empower with Resources and Roles

Nehemiah didn’t leave his team to guess their responsibilities. Each person was assigned a specific portion of the wall. Some built opposite their houses, this meant they had personal stakes in the quality of work. He also provided security, tools, and leadership structure to support their efforts. As leaders, you must equip your team with clear roles and expectations, tools, training, and resources to succeed and the autonomy and trust to take ownership. You can’t micromanage people and expect them to be high performers.

4. Get the Best Out of People through Encouragement and Accountability

When opposition arose, Nehemiah didn’t panic, he encouraged, prayed, and re-strategized. He celebrated progress and motivated the weary. But he also held the team accountable, refusing distractions and laziness (Nehemiah 4–6). Celebrate wins, speak life, and be present. Set the goals, speak out when the ball gets dropped, and reinforce standards.

Nehemiah’s leadership shows us that with divine favor and strategic teamwork, anything can be rebuilt, walls, businesses, ministries, or communities. The key is building a team that’s not just skilled but sold out to the mission.

Whether you’re leading in the boardroom, church, or social impact space, let Nehemiah’s blueprint guide you;

• Select wisely.
• Equip intentionally.
• Lead inspirationally.
• And build boldly.

You were MADE FOR MORE.

Iamhenrylong