Has God ever called you to do something that scared the daylights out of you? Something there was no way you could do unless God came through for you in miraculous ways?
We need God to give us fresh courage when we feel scared, don’t we? A new responsibility at work can make you feel unqualified. Starting a new ministry or project requires you to trust God in new ways. And parenting. Just when you think you have it down, a new stage begins, and you feel unequipped all over again.
Some days we need courage just to get out of bed and face the day.
Sometimes God calls us to be warriors even when we feel weak.
Two things in my life made me scared I’d fall flat on my face.
One was to plant a church with my husband in the Middle East. We’d been serving at another church in our city for 8 years when the Lord called us to leave behind what had become a comfortable ministry. I was almost afraid to tell anyone we felt called to plant a church. I imagined they’d think, “Plant a church? Them? Who do they think they are?”
After 5 years of discouraging labor with little fruit, God turned the tide, and our little church turned a corner. Just when I felt like giving up, our tiny fellowship miraculously gained momentum and started growing.
You never know when breakthrough will come.
The second scary thing was to write a book.
Yes, you heard that right. Writing a book challenged and scared the daylights out of me. I knew God wanted me to put into writing my passion to encourage women to find fresh ways of experiencing more of Him in their lives, but that didn’t make it easy. I imagined people thinking, “Who does she think she is, anyway? What would she even have to say?”
But I started anyway. Pushing past fear and taking small steps, I balanced writing with full-time ministry and parenting. Then I had to lay my project aside multiple times during our move from the Middle East back to Texas last year. But I kept coming back to it.
I learned to step up to the plate and step past my fear. One small step at a time.
Last month I finished my book. (More about that later.)
What about you? What next courageous step might God be calling you to?
Scripture is full of stories and promises to encourage us.
I wonder how Joshua felt when he had to cross the Jordan without Moses and lead the Israelites to take the Promised Land from the Canaanites city by city? Moses gave him a promise and a command:
Can you imagine how Solomon felt when he learned he’d have to build the temple himself, without his father? At the end of his life, David commissioned his son to complete the dream. He gave Solomon the same command and promise:
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.” (1 Chronicles 28:20)
God says the same thing to you and me today: “Take courage. I am with you.”
Friend, what is your Jericho? What is your impossible task?
Are you looking at a new endeavor or pursuit that makes you feel unqualified?
Need bravery to start looking for a new job?
Courage to go to one more chemotherapy infusion?
Feeling a bit scared to say hello to the person next to you and make a new friend?
Perhaps you need spunk just to keep showing up and saying yes to your life. Perseverance for your marriage. Grit to keep parenting that problem child.
Can you hear God telling you the same thing He told Joshua and Solomon? “Do not fear. I am with you. I will not fail you.”
Fear makes us feel we’re on shaky ground, but with God we’re on holy ground. So take courage for your next step, my friend. God will never leave you, and He will not fail you.
I’m so excited to tell you about my book! I wrote it for the woman who longs to experience more of God’s presence and power in her life but feels too distracted by her busy schedule, her own anxious thoughts, and even social media. Look for More of God on Amazon!
I’m so excited for you as you birth your literary baby, friend. May God surprise you during every step of the process …
Thanks so much for your steady wisdom, friend. I appreciate you.
“Showing up and saying yes to your life”: I love that line, Betsy.
And your book sounds like something many of us need to read. Congratulations on completing it!
Aw! Thank you Jeannie! I’m showing up and saying yes today, friend. Praying for you as you do the same.
I saw the subject of your Post in my email, Betsy and I just had to read it. God has given me the word: COURAGE for 2019. I believe He wants me to have the courage to wait on him. I have finished the manuscript for my next book. I am trusting Him for provisions to take care of professional editing and formatting my new book. Congratulations on taking that step and publishing a book. I have no doubt your writing will bring comfort and encouragement to all who read. Have a beautiful week, and may God continue to bless you and yours as you live courageously for Him.
Thanks so much, Horace! It blesses me to know your word for the year is COURAGE! That is a great word and quality. I pray right now that God will provide everything you need for editing and formatting! Way to go on your new book!
Well done on completing your book! It sounds like it will be really helpful. And thanks for the encouragement to have courage and to step out in faith. That verse from 1 Chronicles is one that always reminds me of a particular situation where God was calling me to do that and it always reminds me of his faithfulness.
Yes, I love the phrase “Be strong and do the work.” So down to earth and practical! May the Lord enable you to keep stepping out for Him, Lesley.
Yay Betsy and yes of course I’m a chicken with you! Way to keep following anyway my friend! Can’t wait to see your book!
Thanks so much for your encouragement, Jill! I appreciate you so much.
This was so timely. I have somethings that I believe God is calling me to do and I feel completely unqualified. Impostor syndrome rears its ugly head. Thank you for reminding me that He is in me and therefore I am not unqualified for the things He calls me to. It still make take a while to truly sink in, though! 😉
May He enable you and give you the courage you need to move forward, Tracey!
Great encouragement, Betsy, thank you!
I’m excited for your book. Way to follow God’s leading. Congratulations!
Thanks so much, Julie! I appreciate your encouragement.
Can’t wait to read your book! Congratulations!!
Thanks so much, Patty!
I’m also leaning into God-inspired courage for some new challenges in 2019.
Congratulations on completing your book–I look forward to teaming up with you to spread its message.
Thanks so much for your help, Michele! I can’t wait to see what God brings about through and in you and you step into those challenges!
Betsy, what a great post! I often need the reminder that God is with me. We’ve been through a number of challenges with our boys over the past six months. And, in the middle of life, I’ve been trying to finish a book, as well. I keep reminding myself that God’s timing is perfect and that He is always with me. These help keep fear at bay.
Congratulations on the nearing release of your book! That’s wonderful!
Oh Jeanne, I feel ya! I’m praying right now for your boys and your family. So hard when you have challenges at home. I had to lay my book aside multiple times. God’s grace on you as you finish!
Amen to finding courage in God! When He had me start the Blogger Voices Network, He brought me to the “be strong and courageous” passage and preached to my soul. I’m one who definitely needs God-given courage for many of the assignments He gives. Congrats on finishing a book! What a task! I admire you for sticking with it so long. It sounds like it will bless many!
Thanks so much, Kelly. May the Lord continue to give you grace and courage as you move forward! I appreciate your encouragement.
Congratulations! I am so proud of you doing such courageous things. Your book sounds fantastic. I hope you will share it on Grace & Truth Link-Up. Maree
It seems the Lord prompted us in similar ways in our blog posts this week. 🙂
Deuteronomy 31:8 is my life verse. I’ve been reciting it to myself a lot lately. I seem to be falling in the category of needing courage to just get up and face the day lately.
But God… He always shows Himself faithful to me.
Thanks so much for encouraging us to trust in God’s promise to never leave us or forsake us.
Blessings,
Betsy, God asks me regularly to do things that scare the daylights out of me. Thankfully, He is right there beside me, encouraging me, loving me, and guiding me all the way.
Betsy, congratulations on your book! I will keep my eyes out for it as it is sure to be a blessing!
Thank you, Joanne! You are a blessing.