Show Up Different Stop Apologizing!

“Stop apologizing for showing up differently. You prayed for growth. You asked God for wisdom. You wanted the next level. Well… the next level requires a different version of you.”

Romans 12:2 — “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

Hey Family!

I know… I should probably be asleep right now—or at least headed in that direction! But this message has been stirring in my heart, and I just had to write. My supervisor actually suggested that I blog about this topic after we had a conversation in the laboratory about showing up differently.

The moment she said those words, something leaped inside of me because I realized…

That’s exactly where I am in this season of my life.

I’m showing up differently.

Not because I’m trying to prove anything.

Not because I’m seeking attention.

Not because I think I’m better than anyone.

I’m showing up differently because God has been changing me from the inside out.

Today, I can honestly say I am becoming…

• Authentic.

• Unapologetic.

• Confident.

• Intentional.

• Free.

Showing up differently isn’t something you force.

It’s something that naturally happens when healing takes place.

Have you ever noticed that when God begins restoring your heart, your conversations change? Your confidence changes. Your decisions change. Even the way you carry yourself changes.

That’s what healing looks like.

So let me ask you…

Are you showing up differently?

If not, maybe you’ve become comfortable where you are.

I want to encourage you to begin showing up differently in every space God allows you to enter.

Show up in your glow.

Show up in your confidence.

Show up with your shoulders back.

Show up with your head held high.

Show up knowing exactly who you are in Christ Jesus.

Don’t shrink yourself just to make other people comfortable.

This week has been incredibly productive for me. I made a few intentional changes in my life, and the results have been refreshing.

Why?

Because I’ve been doing the internal work.

I’ve spent time looking into the mirror—not just at my reflection, but at my heart.

I had to have some honest conversations with myself.

I had to confront attitudes.

I had to confront fear.

I had to confront disappointment.

I even had to confront some ugly places within me that I didn’t like.

Was it easy?

Absolutely not.

Would I do it all over again?

Without hesitation.

Because healing is worth every uncomfortable conversation you have with yourself.

The beautiful thing about becoming is that it never stops.

There is always another level of growth.

Another lesson to learn.

Another area where God wants to stretch us.

You should always be asking yourself,

“How can I become better than I was yesterday?”

When you continue growing, something amazing happens…

You stop trying to show up differently.

You simply do.

Sometimes God will cause you to pivot.

Not because you’re lost…

But because He has purpose waiting in another direction.

We don’t always understand why He changes our course.

We don’t always receive all the answers.

But we can trust His leading because God never leads His children into destruction.

Every divine pivot positions us for greater purpose.

And purpose always changes your posture.

That’s why showing up differently isn’t an act of pride.

It’s often evidence of growth.

You don’t change because you’re trying to impress people.

You change because God has changed you.

Different thinking produces different decisions.

Different decisions produce different habits.

Different habits produce a different life.

So when someone says,

“You’ve changed.”

Smile…

And simply reply,

“You’re right. Growth was supposed to do that.”

Today, I find myself in a season where I am growing spiritually and naturally.

People may notice it in my attitude.

They may notice it in my confidence.

They may notice it in the way I speak.

They may notice it in the way I carry myself.

And that’s okay.

Growth should be noticeable.

When I look back over my life and see how far God has brought me, I stand amazed.

Not amazed by me…

But amazed by the faithfulness of God.

All glory belongs to Him.

Five Authentic Reasons People Begin Showing Up Differently

1. Growth Changed Them

They’ve matured emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Things that once offended them no longer have the same power because they’ve grown beyond that season.

1 Corinthians 13:11

“When I became a man, I put away childish things.”

2. Their Purpose Became Clear

When purpose becomes clear, distractions lose their appeal. They stop trying to please everyone and begin pursuing the assignment God has given them.

Ephesians 2:10

“For we are His workmanship…”

3. They Protect Their Peace

Their peace has become too valuable to exchange for unnecessary drama, negativity, or chaos.

Isaiah 26:3

“You will keep him in perfect peace…”

4. They Entered a New Season

Every new level requires a new mindset, new habits, and sometimes even a new presentation.

You can’t carry yesterday’s mindset into tomorrow’s calling.

Isaiah 43:19

“See, I am doing a new thing!”

5. Their Confidence Comes From God

They no longer live for applause or validation.

Their confidence is rooted in God’s opinion—not people’s opinions.

Galatians 1:10

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God?”

My Aha Moment

Let me share something that really surprised me.

Recently, my formal supervisor informed me that I could come to work dressed in business casual attire.

I was shocked!

Where do you normally see a phlebotomy technician drawing blood dressed in business casual?

I’ve worked in several healthcare settings over the years, and uniforms were always the expectation.

She even sent me the official email confirming that appropriate business casual attire was permitted.

So…

I made the change.

Now I walk into work dressed professionally—not flashy, not revealing, just polished, appropriate, and confident.

And here’s what I discovered…

The clothes didn’t change me.

Healing changed me.

The business attire simply reflected what God had already been doing on the inside.

I wasn’t dressing to impress people.

I was dressing in a way that reflected the woman God has been developing.

That’s the difference.

When God heals your heart…

Your confidence becomes visible.

Your posture changes.

Your smile changes.

Your outlook changes.

You begin showing up differently because you’ve become different.

My Final Encouragement

Family, don’t spend your life trying to look different.

Spend your life allowing God to make you different.

Do the internal work.

Forgive.

Heal.

Grow.

Learn.

Stretch.

Trust God’s timing.

And one day you’ll wake up and realize…

You’re no longer pretending.

You’re no longer performing.

You’re simply becoming.

So if people notice you’ve changed…

Thank God.

Because growth was always the goal.

Until your next Aha Moment…

Keep growing.

Keep becoming.

Keep healing.

And never apologize for showing up differently. The world doesn’t need another copy—it needs the authentic person God created you to be.

Remember this:

People will often mistake your growth for pride because they only remember the version of you that lacked confidence. Don’t let their memories keep you from embracing the person God is calling you to become. You are not becoming arrogant—you are becoming authentic. And there is a big difference.

Lauretta Scott

Founder | iPublishub-Books

Publishing with Purpose & Faith

Inspiring Hearts. Transforming Minds. Changing Lives.