They Tried to Silence Me. Why I Kept Writing Anyway.

Growing up, I was told to “tone it down,” to “talk less,” and to “stop talking so much.” These words, spoken by someone who was meant to guide and nurture me, left deep scars. As a child, my voice wasn’t encouraged to soar; it was often smothered by the very person who should have championed my expression. I didn't realize it then, but these words were not only limiting my speech they were shaping my perception of myself, telling me that my thoughts and ideas were not worthy of being heard.

I was told to silence my voice, but the enemy didn't stop there. As I grew older and ventured into writing, the same pattern emerged. I encountered discouragement, resistance, and even mockery. When I started sharing my stories and writing videos, especially the informative ones, people around me who had no real understanding of what I was doing tried to criticize me. “You shouldn’t post that,” they would say, but I enjoyed sharing my experiences and ideas. I was even told that my writing was unfit because I wasn’t from the country or culture I was writing about. It was a fictional romance set in a past time period, your average novela. Yet this critic who told me this, was an Englishman who loved to write short stories about entirely different cultures or countries all the time especially set in the midwest US. The same rules didn’t seem to apply. I knew I was purposely being discouraged, but I didn’t let it stop me.

These blows, these attempts to quash my dreams, might have worked for others. But for me, they didn’t succeed. Instead, they served as powerful lessons, lessons that I can now see within the larger framework of the world’s matrix, a world designed to make us doubt ourselves, question our worth, and seek validation outside of God. I realize now that this was the enemy's tactic: to create self-doubt and insecurity. And it could have worked if I had let it.

It was because of God’s strength that I was able to push forward, to stay authentic and true to myself. I didn’t need the approval of others because I knew I was walking in the path that was set for me. This is not arrogance or conceit either. The enemy tried to dissuade me from being who I am, but in doing so, it made me stronger. The more I was told “no,” the more I grew determined to press forward. To the point one of my pet peeves is being told what to do, since it was done so much once upon a time. It was a long, hard road full of pit stops and distractions, but through God’s guidance, I found the strength to keep moving.

You have ideas, dreams, and a fire in your spirit. Maybe you’ve felt called to create something meaningful, a business, a book, a ministry, a new beginning. But every time you try to rise, something or someone tries to push you back down.

Maybe they said you’re not qualified.
Maybe they laughed.
Maybe you got the silent treatment, no support.

And little by little, that question begins to haunt you:
“Am I even good enough?”

Let me tell you, that question isn’t from God.

It’s from an enemy who fears your purpose and wants to abort it before it ever takes root.

I’m not the only one who’s experienced this kind of pushback. Many people who are now famous or successful had faced rejection after rejection. Walt Disney was told that he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” Oprah Winfrey was fired from her first job as a television reporter because she was deemed “unfit for TV.” Even J.K. Rowling, the author of the beloved Harry Potter series, faced multiple rejections before being picked up by a publisher. I’m not a big fan of any of these individuals mentioned because I also know what goes on in those circles from Hollywood and on the World Stage, but my point is, these individuals didn’t stop. They didn’t let rejection define them. They believed in themselves, and they trusted it would happen and attracted the circumstances they desired to themselves.

Why do some people give up after hearing “no,” while others continue to push forward? Psychologically, rejection can be a powerful deterrent. It taps into our fear of failure and the primal need to belong. Being told “no” or “you're not good enough” triggers an emotional response that can make us question our abilities and self-worth. Some people internalize rejection to the point where they stop pursuing their dreams altogether. It’s easier to give in than to keep fighting, especially when the world seems so opposed to what you’re doing.

But there’s a fundamental difference between those who quit and those who continue: belief. The people who succeed, who keep going despite the odds, have an unwavering belief in themselves and in their dreams. More often they believe that God has a purpose for them and will help them fulfill it. The latter individuals don’t seek validation from external sources. They know that their validation comes from God. And that’s why they keep going, even when the world tells them to stop.

There’s also an energetic explanation for why some people push forward, and it’s tied to focus. Fixating on specific thoughts and emotions can influence the outcomes in our lives. What we focus on, we attract. When you are consumed with a desire, when you breathe it, live it, and eat it, you align yourself with the energy of that desire. That focus, that deep, unwavering commitment to your dream, will create the energy necessary to bring it into reality.

It's not just wishful thinking; it’s about aligning your actions with that desire. It’s about doing the work, staying disciplined, and continuing even when it feels impossible. This is why it’s so important to focus on what you want, to hold that vision in your mind, and to put in the work. Your energy will shift, and the doors you need will begin to open by the grace of God.

When I reflect on all the times I was discouraged, told “no,” or pushed into silence, I now see they were all opportunities for growth. Now, I stand firm in the knowledge that nothing in this world no discouragement, no setback can prevent me from fulfilling my purpose, especially if God is with me.

So, if you’re reading this and you’ve been told “no” more times than you can count, I want you to know that your dreams are valid. The enemy will try to silence you, to make you feel like you’re not good enough. Don’t let him snuff out your dreams and passions. God has a purpose for your life that no one can take away. Keep writing, keep pushing, keep believing, and remember that God is with you, guiding you every step of the way.

The world may try to silence you, but with God’s strength, your voice will rise louder than ever before. Keep going.