Be Courageous, Be Strong

This is a mantra for everyday living, knowing that God will give us the grace to overcome and endure. He will fight our battles if we let him.

Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. 

Be courageous. Be strong. 

1 Cor 16:13

What do you think about when you first open your eyes in the morning? The bills? What you said or did yesterday that you now regret? What you have to do today that you are dreading? Or do you wake up grateful for a new day, a new opportunity, and His new and tender mercies that greet you on the dawn of the morning? Waking up is a physical process of opening our eyes, becoming conscious, and tuning into the first thoughts on our minds. Waking up can also be a spiritual process that is divine, deliberate, methodical, and sets the tone for your entire day. 

"Oh God, you are my God; Early I will seek you..." Psalm 63:1

We have no way of knowing what the day holds for us - but God does. Not only does He know what the days holds, but He knows what this life holds. He saw you before you were born and every day was laid out and recorded before one day had passed as David says in Psalm 139:16. Each morning, humble yourself before the Almighty and be determined not to let any thoughts come before your communication with Him. Be deliberate in your prayer - thanking Him for what He has already done. 

"Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning."

 Psalm 30:5

Know that this time too shall pass. If you think back over your life, there have been many troubled days that you thought would take you out. But God said "No", and gave you the grace to endure, then He said "Enough" and the trouble season was over.  While God does not cause the trouble, He does allow tribulation to help shape us into who He created us to be. How we handle trouble is a good measure of where we are in our walk with Christ, can help strengthen our faith, and keeps us humble (knowing we are human and He alone is God). So why is the trouble you are facing this time any different? it may be a different situation or circumstance, but it's all masked as "trouble". Remember if the God of this universe is for you, who can be against you? 

"In the day of trouble I will call upon you for you will answer me." 

Psalm 86:7

Regardless of what the day brings or what season you may be currently in feels like, wake up in the morning praising God for his deliverance, and then go to bed at night thanking Him for what He has done. Vow to stay focused and faithful. Keep your eyes on Him who can and will deliver. Remember when Peter was on the boat and walked on water until he took his eyes off Jesus? This is the lesson we all must get. When you know who is really in control, you know this time too shall past and you will be better because of it!

Father, I look to you expectantly this morning, knowing that your love for me surpasses all understanding. Thank you that no one or nothing can come between your love for me. Despite what I am going through or how I am feeling I choose you. I choose to stand on your promises and wait expectantly for you to deliver me. Keep me as the apple of your eye and give me the strength to wait for your deliverance. You are my rock and my redeemer, and I will praise you with all of my heart for what you have already done. In Jesus Name, Amen.

-Stacey
Women of Grace Member
Community Bible Church