Life is full of surprises and God gives us the courage we need to face them!
Even positive surprises can challenge us to muster up our courage to embrace them. A job promotion, a new baby, moving to a new city, a new relationship.
New things can impose a certain trepidation of the unknown. Will I fit in? Can I perform to expectations? Do I have what it takes to keep going?
Many times, our anticipation of negative surprises is the worst. I regularly fight the tendency to be a worrier. Learning and accepting that there is no way I could ever figure out what was going to happen next was key. Dr. Vance Havner, a preacher for over 70 years, said, “Worry is like sitting in a rocking chair. It will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.”
Courage is freedom. We can experience the release from worry, trepidation, unrealistic expectations, and unfounded performance limitations.
When we stay connected to God, we will have the courage we need to face any situation. It may frustrate us, be an ugly messy, prove difficult and exhausting, but we CAN make it through!
David didn’t face the giant alone, but God didn’t throw the stone. David had to put himself out there and do it! David’s strength and confidence came from the fact that he believed God was with him. He trusted God would ultimately working out his circumstances.
Maybe David approached that day as he describes in Psalms 5:3, “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”
Do you have the same confidence? Here are a couple of verses to convince you:
James 1:6-8, The Message: “If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.”
Proverbs 3:5-12, The Message: “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!”
Go out everyday full of courage to face any surprises that may come your way. You can slay giants. You can endure. You can persevere. How do I know? Because God is with you and has made a promise in Joshua 1:9, “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
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