Have you ever had a job to do that felt too big of a task?
Well, I have and at times, still do.
I have heard it said, “Courage isn’t the absence of fear. It is acting in spite of it.”
But let’s see what the Bible says about courage.
- Joshua 1:9 (KJV): “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest”.
- Psalm 31:24 (KJV): “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, All ye that hope in the LORD”.
- Psalm 27:14 (KJV): “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD”.
- Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV): “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you”.
Here is what I am learning through this journey:
Courage is a moment by moment choice!
God is equipping me AS I am going!
(Yep, on the job training provided by The Creator of the Universe himself!)
He is using the Holy Spirit to teach me, other people to assist me, and providing resources that are needed. And all at the right time!
I felt like this when I had two young children who were sick and needing surgeries also. Yep, I felt unqualified for the task I was given.
All these years later, I can tell you that trying season taught me to depend on God for ALL things and to look for little things to be grateful for. It is a lesson that I still use and share with others to this day. It is freeing that I do NOT have to have all of the answers. I just need to stay in communication with the One who does have all of the answers!
There is so much out of our control in this life. Sickness, injury, and waiting are just a few. All I really have to say here is God’s timing is never lining up with ours.
What we CAN control is how we walk through these things. (our attitudes and actions, our praises and prayers…)
Are you waiting well?
When dealing with sick kids, a sick spouse or self, or even a big diagnosis, how’s your heart in the midst of it? Troubled, fretting, anxious, overwhelmed?
I have had to teach myself to press in during these times.
Press into reading the Bible. Press into worshipping through it all. Press in to my tribe for support and encouragement. I have to remind myself of the truth and have needed others remind me of the truth.
I KNOW that I am not enough on my own!
I NEED God’s help, the wise counsel of others, and a strong God-following community at any given moment.
So here is my current prayer…
Father, thank you that you alone know what I need, even before the need arises. I ask that you grow the community around me & the ministry partners we will need. I pray for Kingdom connections for us and the ministry you have called us to. I pray for the resources we need, so that we can remain good and generous stewards of Your ministry. I pray for your wisdom, discernment and favor to surround us always.
Father, lead me each step of the way because this can feel like such a big task and I can feel so inadequate. Help me to walk out my courage daily. Continue to strengthen me for what you have called me to do. May my journey help to bring encouragement to others.
Here I am. Use me; every day.
It’s in Jesus’s mighty name that I ask these things. Amen and amen.
Until next time!
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 NLT