The Bible tells us to be strong and courageous. I’m thinking that’s fine for those involved in actual warfare, but I’m not fighting in any battles. I’m not doing anything dangerous.
What is it God has asked me to do? And am I doing it?
God asked me to pray for my family, my children, and my husband. He’s asked me to pray for our finances, our home life, the future in-laws that I haven’t met, and those I have met. I pray for future decisions, for spiritual guidance, and for every step of my way. Have I?
I’ve done it at one time or another, but not continually. Do I bring my worries, fears, and anxieties to Him every day, every moment of every day? I need to be stronger-willed in setting my heart and my mind toward God for everything in life, all the time. It is easier to worry, fret, or complain than to pray immediately to God and leave it there. Am I not strong enough to trust in God for everything in my life? I’m not courageous enough.
Be Strong and Courageous!
What else has God called me to do? My pastor talked about strengths and weaknesses. He said our strengths are usually intertwined with our shortcomings. We need to leverage our strengths to minimize our weaknesses. My particular gift is encouragement. I can feel things or know things I didn’t really know, which could encourage someone. If I’m paying attention to God and His timing, purpose, and His voice, then I can make a difference in someone’s life.
That sounds cool, doesn’t it? But it also means I know exactly what to say to hurt someone, too. That’s not nice.
I know what to say to hurt someone.
I’m also prone to depression. I have trouble expressing myself or asking for help, and I often spend time feeling sorry for myself. This leads to depression. Spending all my time not listening to God, asking for God’s help, or thinking of other people, and the different things I could be doing. Why? I do it because I lack strength and courage.
I write down verses in my remembrance book – a spiral binder of note cards – that I keep in my car. Then every day when I get in my car, I read yesterday’s verses and today’s verses. So, today I read:
Deuteronomy 20:3-4 He shall say: “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
I write scriptures down that mean something to me.
I’m thinking about these things and checking my notebook at church, and find this scripture drawing my attention:
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
After the sermon about strength and superheroes, Samson and weakness, I went to the high school service and got this one:
Hebrews 11:34 whose weakness was turned to strength
Hebrews 12: 1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
God has asked me to be available spiritually and emotionally for those in need He sends my way. To gain spiritual strength for the trials ahead and for each day’s troubles, I prepare ahead of time. If I want to be courageous enough to believe God fights for me, for my dreams, for my desires, for my wishes, I seek God out every day. I can be used by God, whether in programming, web development, web design, writing, or speaking encouragement to His children.
You can be used by God!
I love what the leader of Lighthouse Ministries reads every time she becomes discouraged. I asked her to email it to me because it really spoke to my heart. It comes from 2 Corinthians, and one verse is from 1 Corinthians.
- Whatever we do, it is because Christ’s love compels us
- And who is adequate/qualified for such a task as this?
- Since God has given us this wonderful ministry – we never give up.
- My gracious favor is all you need – my power works best in your weakness
- As a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves but on God – who can raise the dead
- We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God. It is not that we can do anything of lasting value by ourselves.
- Our only power and success come from God
- Now all Glory to God who is able, thru His mighty power at work within us to accomplish infinitely more than we can ask or think
- Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever
This week, I will listen to God’s voice, remember to strengthen and encourage those around me, and turn to Him when I get discouraged. That is my goal this week.
