Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Be courageous! Be strong!
As I read through one of my favorite devotional books this morning, I was touched by some challenging words. They are from the August 3rd entry from "Streams in the Desert." The words begin with a verse from the Bible: "Be men (and women) of courage; be strong" (1 Corinthians 16:13).
The entry goes on to quote Phillips Brooks: "Never pray for an easier life-- pray to be a stronger person! Never pray for tasks equal to your power-- pray for power equal to your tasks. Then doing your work will be no miracle-- you will be the miracle." So what does this look like on a practical level for you and me?
COURAGE:
It means delving into things that aren't necessarily comfortable. Helping the neighbor who has recently lost her husband by bringing meals and extra bedding for her guests. It also means going out of your way to spend time with her after the funeral is over and everyone else has left. Though it's difficult to interact with grieving hearts, it is very very brave.
It also means forgiving your spouse in front of you kids even when you feel like throwing out ten more cutting words in your defense. It takes courage to allow God's spirit to convict instead of tearing into that person who has hurt you. Sometimes a friend or a relative might cause you pain and you must respond in the same way: FORGIVE!
Maybe for you, it means staying at a job that you don't necessarily love because it's where God wants you at the moment. Or it could be the simple response of walking with the Lord even when you don't feel His touch or can't see His plan. Continue to read His word. Continue to trust His plan. That takes courage, friend!
STRENGTH:
Maybe you are called upon to help a co-worker move some heavy boxes. Go ahead... extend your strength for her, even though you'd rather be watching the baseball game instead. What about rearranging the family-room for your wife for the twelfth time this year, simply because it shows her that you care? Flex those biceps because you are strong!
And yet, it could be as simple as following up with a friend who has battled depression. You might feel tired of hearing about his problems and sorrows; but your strength gives him so much comfort while he simply tries to make it through each day.
Maybe you are called to be strong during these tough economic times. Strong to make the tough cut-backs. Strong to endure those two used cars sitting in your drive-way. Strong to do without... even though you'd rather buy those new shiny gadgets. Flex your power by putting your money into savings instead. Fix that item that's broken instead of replacing it; this way, you can extend a hand and help someone else who has much less.
Courage. Strength. These are essential to our Christian faith. But, many of us forfeit their presence in our lives because it's easier to avoid the work involved to develop them. We run. We hide. The result is that we are cowards and we are weak.
Let's step up to the plate fellow believers. Stand! Run! Soar into the challenges of today. When you are called upon to be courageous and to show your strength, be ready! No matter what the cost, you will reap the benefits of a pleased Savior. His smile will shine upon your life as you obey Him...especially when it's hard.
The entry goes on to quote Phillips Brooks: "Never pray for an easier life-- pray to be a stronger person! Never pray for tasks equal to your power-- pray for power equal to your tasks. Then doing your work will be no miracle-- you will be the miracle." So what does this look like on a practical level for you and me?
COURAGE:
It means delving into things that aren't necessarily comfortable. Helping the neighbor who has recently lost her husband by bringing meals and extra bedding for her guests. It also means going out of your way to spend time with her after the funeral is over and everyone else has left. Though it's difficult to interact with grieving hearts, it is very very brave.
It also means forgiving your spouse in front of you kids even when you feel like throwing out ten more cutting words in your defense. It takes courage to allow God's spirit to convict instead of tearing into that person who has hurt you. Sometimes a friend or a relative might cause you pain and you must respond in the same way: FORGIVE!
Maybe for you, it means staying at a job that you don't necessarily love because it's where God wants you at the moment. Or it could be the simple response of walking with the Lord even when you don't feel His touch or can't see His plan. Continue to read His word. Continue to trust His plan. That takes courage, friend!
STRENGTH:
Maybe you are called upon to help a co-worker move some heavy boxes. Go ahead... extend your strength for her, even though you'd rather be watching the baseball game instead. What about rearranging the family-room for your wife for the twelfth time this year, simply because it shows her that you care? Flex those biceps because you are strong!
And yet, it could be as simple as following up with a friend who has battled depression. You might feel tired of hearing about his problems and sorrows; but your strength gives him so much comfort while he simply tries to make it through each day.
Maybe you are called to be strong during these tough economic times. Strong to make the tough cut-backs. Strong to endure those two used cars sitting in your drive-way. Strong to do without... even though you'd rather buy those new shiny gadgets. Flex your power by putting your money into savings instead. Fix that item that's broken instead of replacing it; this way, you can extend a hand and help someone else who has much less.
Courage. Strength. These are essential to our Christian faith. But, many of us forfeit their presence in our lives because it's easier to avoid the work involved to develop them. We run. We hide. The result is that we are cowards and we are weak.
Let's step up to the plate fellow believers. Stand! Run! Soar into the challenges of today. When you are called upon to be courageous and to show your strength, be ready! No matter what the cost, you will reap the benefits of a pleased Savior. His smile will shine upon your life as you obey Him...especially when it's hard.
Labels: Bible, courage, faith, family, strength
