Janet Davis - My Own Worst Enemy: How to Stop Holding Yourself Back

Janet Davis came into my life unexpectedly. A listener to Midday Connection , the radio program I host, sent me one of her books and recommended I interview her. Its one thing to get a free book from a publisher, something that happens daily in my line of work. Its quite another for a person to invest money and time in buying a book, writing a letter, then paying to send it in hopes that the person on the other end listens to their request. I took this all into consideration when Janets book arrived along with the heartfelt letter that accompanied it. At that point, I had no idea how much Janet would rock my world. As I dug into her writing, I knew she would become a regular guest on the program.

Eventually I invited her to a staff retreat for my small team, and we have never been the same. The retreat happened on Labor Day weekend a few years ago, and we still talk about preLabor Day and postLabor Day thinking.

Janets writing challenges the reader as well as affirms, all while posing thought-provoking questions that linger in the mind. Janet has the audacity to tell me, and all of us, through this book, My Own Worst Enemy , that I can SHINE, that I am called to shine. Since meeting Janet Ive had the courage to write a book and edit two others, to speak up in my workplace and church, and to believe, really believe, that my feminine soulalong with what I bring to the table, wherever I amtruly matters!

What woman has not struggled with self-sabotage or hiding in the process of wanting to make a difference? Our very nature often puts us in a nurturing role where we take a backseat to others and end up believing that the backseat is the only seat we may occupy. Janet has a heart for calling women forward into the fullness of who God created us to be. If you have the courage to read on, and I hope you will, youll become uncomfortable at times as well as encouraged. You will be called to imagine what a life well lived might look like. And as you begin to share your story of transformation, youll have the opportunity to reach out beyond yourself and bring other women along with you.

Janet points us to the power of Christ within us. And when we tap into that power, we will see courage rise. She says that God invites us to partner with him and to be a shining presence. Sometimes, in order to get there, we need a wise mentor to come alongside us. Janet Davis is that wise mentor. She gives us language for what is happening in our interior world and helps expose what keeps us from caring for our souls. In the process, Janet authentically shares her own story. She tells about her own seasons of self-sabotage.

As we see our common struggle, as we hear those internal shaming voices, Janet reminds us of the command found in Matthew 5:16: Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Go SHINE!

Anita Lustrea

Executive Producer and Host of Midday Connection

Author and speaker