Willingness Versus Expertise

Willingness versus expertise—is one more important than the other? Society teaches us that expertise matters most. However, I believe that God is more concerned with our willingness and rejoices when we heed the calling, regardless of how skilled or unskilled we think we are.

Many years before I started this blog site, I had felt the urge to do so. What stopped my previous attempts was my voice of doubt. It spoke loudly to me, repeating things like, “Who am I to think I know enough to help others?” and “No one would listen to me. I don’t even have a degree.” Such unfounded lies froze me in my tracks. The fear and doubt those lies had generated kept me not only from reaching out to others, but it also impeded my healing.

The degenerative effects of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome have placed great limitations upon me my entire life. Added to that, the abuse I suffered has disabled me just as severely. For decades, I accepted the lie that these two factors made it impossible for me to have anything of value to give to others. A lie such as this was imposed upon me because of the abuse that stripped away my self-esteem.

I am grateful that I did not remain chained within that destructive lie. I found the strength and know-how to break free from those links. And I grow and heal even more as I reach out to you, my readers. Sharing our stories brings healing, not only to ourselves, but to others.

We All Have the Ability to Serve.

To see more Crystalisms, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1360983917796761.

In my healing journey, I’ve learned that no disability or limitation can lessen a person’s capacity to serve. I believe God knows our limitations, and our Gracious Savior’s unforced rhythm of grace always gives us what we need at the ideal time to compensate for our weaknesses. My frequent inability to see the big picture and what is truly best for me has often limited my capacity to recognize this truth.

A significant situation in my life taught me that I can trust my Savior’s timing no matter what. This life-changing event occurred when I reunited with my only true love. We met at the age of twelve, and then life separated us at age seventeen. We each had to go through many trials and wait on God’s timing for twenty-eight years before Our Loving Heavenly Parent brought us back together.

As hindsight is always clearer than foresight, I now see that, on my part, I had to break free from the many chains that abuse had wrapped around me before I could do the growth needed to be ready for the special relationship I have with Rich. This experience has taught me that my only concern is to be prepared to answer the calling and go where my Loving God leads me.

Our Stories Give Others Strength.

Whenever I slip back into the deep groove of those lies that tempt me into believing that I lack the expertise to be of any good to others—see https://crystalmmhuntley.com/2025/08/the-value-of-self-maintenance/—I remind myself of strong people in society who have overcome tremendous challenges and, in so doing, contributed greatly to us all. Such stories are innumerable. Holocaust survival stories, accounts of people who battled within warzones. Then there are individuals like Christopher Reeve and one of my favorites, Joni Ericson Tada.

One of my favorite quotes by Joni Ericson Tada is “Sometimes God allows what He hates to accomplish what He loves.” This quote has given me solace countless times as I battled the many “why” questions that have bombarded my mind over the years. Why did God give me the parents I had? And why didn’t my parents protect me? Why did I go over to Elden’s house that day he first raped me when I was a child? Why did I get with the narcissistic, abusive man who fathered my children?

This “why” list goes on endlessly. Experience has taught me that if I remain within the carved-out trail of the “why” pathway, it cuts deeper and deeper into my soul. Never have I found satisfying answers while traveling this destructive pathway. All it does is rob me of joy. So, to preserve my joy, I consciously pull myself out of this detrimental gully and place my feet on solid ground. I focus on the gifts I have gained because of what I’ve experienced and how I can use them to help others.

Willingness Versus Expertise

This change of focus is why, when I wrote my books, The Hidden Diamond and Robin’s Gift. I focus less on the underlying abuse that molded my characters into who they are at the beginning of the story, and more on the growth they encounter during their healing journey.

I feel that we are all called to a life of service toward others, no matter our expertise, but few choose willingly to answer that plea. One reason someone will not raise their hand in response is that they do not believe they have anything of value to give. One of the reasons I wrote today’s blog post is to challenge your thoughts if you are holding yourself back due to nurturing this type of misconception, as I once had.

Healing is a journey, not a destination. I’ve discovered newfound strength when I celebrate each step forward and don’t let moments of failure pull me down. My journey has taught me that every effort taken has value. I discovered that it takes courage to try. By trying, we learn what to do, which is just as valuable as what not to do. All lessons can become stepping stones to carry a traveler forward.

If there is anything I wish to leave you with from today’s blog, it is the truth I’ve discovered that no matter how overwhelming your situation may be, you always have value to give.

To see more Crystalisms, visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1360983917796761.

If you feel the desire to reach out to others, pulling you toward using your gifts and talents, https://www.volunteermatch.org/ may help you know where to begin. Give it a try. You may be surprised by how much joy you receive while serving others.

Upcoming Posts

I invite you to join me next time as I reveal a different type of abuse, body shaming.

Note to My Readers

To further support your healing journey, I’ve added a direct access hotline/resource page to my website. Find it at https://crystalmmhuntley.com/resources/.

Writing is my passion. It is also an excellent healing tool. The beauty of fiction is that it allows you to create outcomes that don’t exist in the everyday world, which is why I have chosen to write my book in this genre. I pray that all who indulge in my written creations find entertainment and enjoyment, and that you also become inspired to move forward in your healing journey. I pray that all who indulge in my written creations find entertainment and enjoyment, and that you also become inspired to move forth in your healing journey.

Hopefully, you have gained value from this blog post. If you have, I would like to offer you the opportunity to purchase my books. You can purchase The Hidden Diamond and Robin’s Gift here at BUY THE BOOK – Crystal MM Huntley.

An additional site where you can find my books is https://bkbookshoppe.com. However, if you prefer to purchase from Amazon, you will find The Hidden Diamond at http://www.amazon.com/The-Hidden-Diamond-Crystal-MM-Huntley/dp/1665573767 and Robin’s Gift at https://www.amazon.com/Robins-Gift-Crystal-MM-Huntley/dp/B0CVL7746N.

Each purchase of my books supports my mission to break the chains of abuse. Once you have read either of my books, feel free to leave a review on the site from which you purchased it. Your review will encourage others to seek out the path of healing.

***The Hidden Diamond*** – Immerse yourself in a journey that uncovers the worth of a wounded soul amongst a lifetime of sin.

***Robin’s Gift*** – Lost and alone, Natalie’s biggest dream is to fulfill her desire to be loved. A tragic accident calls her home. Can she return and face her greatest fear?

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We All Have the Ability to Serve.

Our Stories Give Others Strength.

Willingness Versus Expertise

Upcoming Posts

Note to My Readers

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