Self-doubt has been my shadow for as long as I can remember. For 30 years, I have walked the road of a solopreneur—sometimes running with joy and fire in my heart, other times dragging my feet through exhaustion, tears, and frustration. From blending perfume oils and crafting jewelry, to building radio stations and offering creative consulting, my journey has been a mix of triumphs and trials.
There have been sleepless nights staring at the ceiling, wondering if I made the right decision. Days when I poured my heart into a project, only to hear silence. Moments when the enemy whispered, “You’re not good enough. You should quit.”
But in those very moments, God has always been near.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Those words have carried me through more than any business strategy or motivational book ever could. Because the truth is, my plans are limited. My vision is often clouded by worry. But God’s plans? They are eternal. They are purposeful. And they are always on time.
The Waiting Season
One of the hardest parts of this journey has been waiting. Waiting for doors to open. Waiting for ideas to take root. Waiting for the right people to connect with me. Waiting on God’s timing.
And waiting is hard. It tests you. It humbles you. It makes you question whether you heard God correctly in the first place. But scripture reminds us:
“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Waiting doesn’t mean sitting idly. It means working diligently, even when no one notices. It means creating through tears, pushing through fatigue, and trusting that every seed you plant will bloom in its appointed season.
The Struggle Is Real, But So Is God
Being a solopreneur is not glamorous. It’s hard work. It’s late nights at the workbench with wire and stones. It’s hours of testing and blending oils until the scent feels just right. It’s curating playlists, producing shows, and consulting with clients when you’re running on fumes. It’s sacrifice.
And yet, every sacrifice becomes an offering when laid at God’s feet. My businesses have never just been about profit—they’ve been about purpose. I see them as vessels of creativity, encouragement, and light. And when doubt tries to take over, I remind myself:
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” – Proverbs 16:3
Faith Over Fear
Self-doubt will always try to creep in. But I’ve learned to counter it with faith. Faith that God’s timing is perfect. Faith that His ways are higher than mine. Faith that even when things don’t look like they’re working, He’s orchestrating something greater behind the scenes.
Thirty years in, I can look back and see how every tear, every sleepless night, every moment of doubt has shaped me into who I am today. And while the journey is far from over, I walk with a deeper confidence—not in myself, but in the God who called me.
So, to anyone struggling with self-doubt in their own journey: keep going. Keep building. Keep trusting. Surrender your plans, and trust His. Because at the right time, in His time, the pieces will come together.
And when they do, you’ll look back and say, “It was worth every step.”
~ Michele Lee Evans
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Great message. I tend to be really hard on myself but I know I'm doing the best I can and I have to wait on God. Thank you for this bit of encouragement. God bless!