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Today, I received a text of a friend who passed. Moments later, I heard of a neighbor in the hospital for a complicated surgery. – Then I am told of more dear souls with Covid. I watched the news to witness a growing divide, dark destruction, and a world seemingly gone crazy. Sometimes, I don’t feel like being brave. In fact, recently I whispered, “Not today, Lord. No Thank you. I want to keep my world small and safe. I want to shrink back, so fear will not overtake my heart. I don’t want to be courageous today.”
Do you ever want to pull the covers over your head and pretend your circumstances are different’? Are you tempted to protect your heart by living in your safe zone? I know, me too.
What’s a gal to do? How can we be brave when life is brutal? How can we march forward when the world seems dark and a little scary?
Well, after my little pity-party; I have reminded myself of God’s truths. Here are a few things helping me decide to be brave when the world is brutal.
God knew before the beginning of time, what would take place in my world today. He even penned a love-letter with guidance for hard days. In His writings, He repeatedly says to the believer, “Fear not.” Fear not because “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV) I can be brave because the Lord Himself goes before me. He knows my situation, and He tells me to fear not. There is no need for worry or anxiety to overtake my life because my God instructs me to fear not. Why? Because He is with me. Psalm 23:4 (ESV) reads, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me.”
God has my best interest in mind. Though I may face dark situations, God loves me more than I love myself. Therefore, I can trust His sovereignty. Sometimes, the hardest of times have been the best of times. During past trying situations, I have grown in my relationship with Him. I have learned to lean on Him and now have more in-depth and sweeter relationship with my heavenly Father. Even on dark and difficult days, God has my best interest in mind. I can trust Him. He is good. He is God. He is good at being God. He has my best interest in mind.
I can be brave because this is not my home. I am just passing through. No matter how bad things look on this earth, I can always say, “Oh well, I am not going to hell.” HA! Earth is temporal. Heaven is eternal. Somehow, this truth puts everything into perspective. Next time you face a dark and desperate situation, tell Satan, “Oh well, I am not going to hell.” God has the final victory, and as His daughter, you do too.
We are not to fear, but we can face each day with strength and courage. “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9 (ESV)
I can be strong and courageous. You can be strong and courageous. In just four short verses, God told Joshua to be strong and courageous three times. God wants His people to live with courage.
So don’t be weary dear soul. God has placed you here, in your space and in this time with a God-size assignment. You can do hard things, you can march forward embracing the day with confidence and strength for there is much to do. If your assignment is to love on your babies today, then love your children with all your heart and point them to Jesus. If you are serving an employer this week, then be the best employee and reflect Christ. Whatever your role is in your space, do it today with courage and strength. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” I Corinthians 15:58 (NIV)
I challenge you today, pull back the covers. Face the world. Embrace your space with courage and strength. You can do hard things for God is with you, He has your best interest in mind and my friend, this world is not your home.