courage – Faith Encounters

The Lord God is my strength [my source of courage, my invincible army]; He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds feet. And makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]. Habakkuk 3:19 Amp.

I love this verse in the Amplified version. Do you ever personalize scripture with your name in it? The Lord God is Martha’s strength[Martha’s source of courage, Martha’s invincible army]; He has made Martha’s feet [steady and sure] like hinds feet. Put your own name in, and no matter how weak or strong you feel, it gives you extra courage! When we forget He is our strength, we end up relying on our own strength. That strength is very weak and wimpy compared to His. This is just a simple reminder that you can do whatever He has called you to do. Especially if you need courage to do it!

This week, my two sisters and my niece drove over the mountains to visit our older sister. It will most likely be the last time we will see her. She is in late stage Parkinson’s disease. This was a trip we tried to plan before, but either the weather or our schedule prevented us. Carol had trouble processing who we were, which was understandably difficult. It was such a blessing to be with her daughter, Patty, whom we haven’t seen in years. Sharing memories with her was important. My niece drove us, and she shared wonderful memories that she had with Carol as well. But it took courage to look at our sister and see how her body is failing. I kept thinking, ten years ago she was active and well, how will I be in ten years? Only God knows. It takes courage to grow older.

It is my job to be as wise as I can with my body, soul, and mind. The courage I need today is not the same courage I needed in my twenty’s or thirty’s. As I read this scripture in my twenty’s, I could only think about emotional or spiritual hind’s feet. Now, I need to make sure I can walk steadily! He has made my feet [steady and sure] like hinds feet. I have watched deer leaping from crag to crag. They seem to do it effortlessly. They even do it with joy! My friend’s husband is now a patient in a rehabilitation facility. He fell two months ago and apparently hit his head. They are trying to help him overcome an un-diagnosed brain bleed. We are praying for recovery of strength and memory issues, but at 88 they aren’t sure. It takes courage to walk through their season of life, trusting God has everything in hand. She needs our prayer and support to help her courageously face their uncertain future. I told her today, sometimes faith can seem wobbly, but that is OK. She is doing well with Jesus. It also takes courage to walk with others through their dark valleys, but we can do it.

I love the last section, where Habakkuk declares: he makes me walk [forward with spiritual confidence] on my high places [of challenge and responsibility]. It is God’s intention that His children walk forward in life, but that they do so with spiritual confidence. The only way we can gain this spiritual confidence is to do it with Him. My friends, I know as you face your own challenges and responsibilities, fear may try to raise its ugly head. But I want to remind you that you can do it with His wisdom, strength and courage. You are not alone, aren’t you glad?

The high places of life can be scary. They can be areas where life is trying to elevate itself above our God. In the Old Testament, people worshiped idols and engaged in demonic practices at the high places. We do not have to worry about them. In fact, God has given us the ability to ‘ride upon the high places of the earth’ (Isaiah 58:14). He has given us a position of advantage and blessing, and favor.

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We can walk in confidence and courage as we strengthen ourselves in Him. Do not try to do life alone my friends. It will be less than He intends. He has good things for us to discover as we walk with Him, in the valley or on the mountains. Our best life is with Him.

Father, please help us walk with you with confidence and courage. Thank you for steadying every wobbly place we find ourselves. You are such a gracious God, and we settle for so much less than you have for us, so often. Please help us, Father. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence which has great reward. Hebrews 10:35. ESV.

January 1, I spent some focused time with the Lord. I just poured my heart out, admitting I felt inadequate for some callings I feel He has set before me. As I shared my heart with Him, not only did naming my fears and shortcomings make them more understandable to me, He responded. He told me that the enemy was trying to undermine my confidence not only in myself but also in Him and His ability to equip me for the position He has called me too. This sounds like pretty basic spiritual warfare, doesn’t it? And it is. But sometimes the subtle tactics can not only be the most effective to slow us down but also so sneaky we don’t recognize it at first.

As we continued the conversation, my eyes were opened to just how subtle and effective this tactic had been working in my life. Not only was it eroding my confidence in this area, but it was spilling over into other areas of my life. So, I asked the Lord for His strategies for combatting this warfare.

This is why I love our Lord so much. He gave me directions and practical solutions! Now, these are very obvious but useful solutions. The first one is to be thankful. As I upped my gratitude and open thankfulness, my confidence began to return. He led me to thank Him for His wisdom being my wisdom, and His ability to become my ability. The subtle warfare led me to take my eyes off the Lord and onto myself, no wonder I felt insecure. By actively thanking the Lord for His help, ability, promises it made it about Him, not me! I am feeling much more confident than ever before.

But He also led me to thank Him for any and every breakthrough we may need as a team. This means every team member will receive their own breakthroughs as well. Hope and expectation are rising in my heart. As I laid down (again) my ways to His ways, confidence is rising.

Dear ones Joshua had big shoes to fill after Moses died. What did God tell him? Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Joshua 1: 6-7. NLT. I am sure those subtle lies were spoken to him too, but God told Him what to do. Be strong and very courageous. My friends, no matter what will come our way in 2024, we can know we can handle it. Do not let insecurity or fear overwhelm you. Begin to thank Him for giving you every ability you need to accomplish this good work in you and through you.

I have found continued encouragement in Colossian 1:11. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. As I pray this prayer for myself and our team, once again hope and expectation rise. Insecurity festers and flourishes when we forget we have His power and that He will enable us to have the endurance and patience we need to run our race. Confidence rises when we trust Him to keep His promises and we align ourselves with His Word. There are things on God’s agenda for each of us this coming year. Let’s not let fear, insecurity or pride stand in our way. Colossians 1:10 Then you way you will live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. What a blessed promise!

Father, I thank you for helping us get rid of all insecurity that may be lurking in our lives. I thank you that you are enabling everyone who reads these words to be strong and courageous in both the big and little assignments You have given them. Strengthen moms and dads, leaders and followers, employees and employers to bear good confident fruit for Your kingdom’s sake, In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Tag: courage

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