Today God told me..."that all is well. All is going according to plan. Trust that there is a bigger picture. Trust that life is unfolding as it should."
When I think of the word courage, the first thing that comes to mind is the lion on Wizard of Oz who needed a new heart of courage. Here he was a big tough lion who everyone should be afraid of, but he didn't have the confidence and courage to really be who he was.
I guess I can compare myself to the lion these past few months. I have lost confidence and courage in who I am and what I am supposed to be doing. I know God is there. I know God wants me to trust. I know God does have a plan for my kids and I. I know that all is going to be OK. I just don't know when He is going to show this great plan of His and what this plan exactly is.
God gives us sooo many stories in the bible about courage. Just off the top of my head I think of Daniel, Jonah, Joseph, Moses, Noah, Esther, Ruth, Abraham, Hagar, Hosea, the list goes on! Even when I was reading the story of Joseph and his brothers to my kids the other day, I had to smile and what Joseph said when his brothers came asking for food. God planned for you to treat me as you did. God knew that I would be the one to later help you, but if you hadn't done what you had, none of this would be.
While reading that, I knew that it may not be months or even a year before I knew God's plan, but He does have a plan. I took Joseph apx. 15 years to see God's plan! And what a grand plan it was!
It takes courage to really be who you are on the inside. You know you can't make everyone happy. You know some people are not going to like you. You know not everyone is going to agree with your decisions. And you know people WILL judge you. It takes courage to know all of those things and still be who you are, making decisions that are right for you and your family, making decisions that lead the life God wants you to live, and make decisions that are also right for others.
Now, having said that, I have am still learning to live by those words. I am working on my courage. THere have been quite a few events in the past year that have taken courage. I have also let others influence me enough to take away my confidence and courage. I am going to take that back. I made some big decisions this week that needed confidence in myself and trust in God that this was the path to proceed down. I pondered and prayed
and decided to trust this is what God wants...
1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
1 Peter 3:13 - 14 13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats[a]; do not be frightened.
Heavenly Father, give us courage today and every day to do Your will, to follow the path you have laid before us, and to trust in Your plans. Five years ago today, we lost a dear friend because he had the courage to help others. He is now with you and doing Your work in heaven watching over us. Thank you for the blessing of his friendship. THank you for strength, confidence and courage. Help us to find it within ourselves to not cast judgment on others and give us the courage to carry out what you have planned for us. I will continue to trust in You, lean on You, and turn to Your presence for peace and courage. Thank you Father for all You have blessed us with.
In Your Name we pray, Amen
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