“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” -Isaiah 26:3-4
This is a call to be centered on the Lord in the midst of life’s hardness. When it’s hard, He is harder. I mean that in an encouraging way. He is a rock. A steady, unmoving place to place our feet. A rock that doesn’t cause us to stumble, but keeps us from stumbling. I want to stand on HIM, my firm foundation, not my emotions.
I must bring to mind his faithful actions in the past to bring courage and peace now.
How do I do that?
It’s a year that I’m purposing to seek courage and peace. Two items high on my to-be list each day because sometimes I operate out of feeling full of fear or stress instead of feeling full of Him.
So what IS the one thing I can remember in those moments when my feelings seem stronger than Him?
I must bring to mind His faithful actions in the past to bring courage and peace in the present.
The bible is full of faithful followers who did the same and we are called to follow in their footsteps. Not merely to be like them in human faithfulness and loyalty (though that is OK). More importantly, it is to be reminded to look to God and HIS faithfulness.
We can all surely be inspired by the great cloud of witnesses who trusted in God’s faithfulness amid trials as the longed for His rescue. Those like the ones recalled in Hebrews chapter eleven.
More than anything, let’s look to them and others who’ve gone before us and those who are going alongside us who endure, to remind us of our real Hero of the Faith. Because it’s less about me and even them, and more about Christ and HiS faithfulness.
The promised rescuer has come…”…Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Heb 12:-1-3).
He is the brave one, the courageous one. When I’m not feeling brave or courageous…and even when I am…I will look to Him.
How are you hoping to grow in the coming year? Are there any words like peace and courage that are on your heart in 2017?
In the coming year, I’ll be working on some new projects. One of which is a series of therapeutic stretch videos to be provided to ministries working with human trafficking victims. Of course, I hope to make them available to my subscribers as well. Would you please sign up for my newsletter (see sidebar) and like my Facebook page? This will broaden my support system! Thank you so much!
Courage or brave has been a recurring word for me for the last two years. God has taught me so much on my journey to brave faith which is ongoing. This year my one word is purpose. It is not just discovering my own purpose but it is seeking God first in all things because that will take me where He wants me to go. Thank you for sharing a piece of your journey. I love that I am your neighbor at Barbie’s today.
Hi Mary, thanks for visiting! I can see how your recent transitions in life would call you to new areas of being brave. I too think that is an ongoing word for me. The word purpose is another great one. I love to see people pursuing what God is calling them to AND seeking God first in all things. So inspiring…as I’m sure you following him in this will be to your readers! I’m putting together a coaching series called “A Leader’s Life Purpose” that will be ready (I hope) by the end of January. This word is on my heart!
Sharing this on my Facebook author page, Amy!
Thanks Sarah! Blessings….
More than anything, let’s look to them and others who’ve gone before us and those who are going alongside us who endure, to remind us of our real Hero of the Faith….Yes! I feel so energized and motivated by this post. Thank you!! Also pinning and sharing:)
Crystal, thanks for sharing and thanks for letting me know it energized you. I felt the same as I wrote it! Let us keep looking to our Hero, Jesus!
A lot of people believe that courage is action without fear, but it’s actually action in the face of fear. Thanks for this encouraging post!
Yes—my husband tells our kids that quite often. Such an encouraging thought! Thanks for visiting!
Amy,
What a difference it makes when we remember God’s past acts of faithfulness to us. Thank you for sharing your story with me and for this post. Praying we can both keep our thoughts focused on Him 🙂
Hi Dolly! It would serve me well to take time each day just to meditate on His past faithfulness in my life and in the life of all believers as recorded in the bible and as I’ve witnessed in my life. Thank you for praying that for us…I will do the same now. Blessings….
Your words made me think of a quote from Jennie Allen, “Bravery is not the absence of fear, but obedience to God in spite of it.” I love that verse in Isaiah and your encouragement to keep our mind fixed on God and His faithfulness to give us courage for today. So glad to visit today from the Grace at Home linkup.
You’re the second person to refer to that this week here! I love that quote as well. We use it quite often in our home. Thanks for visiting, Tiffany!
Yes ~ I’m always encouraged when I remember God’s faithfulness to me in the past! It truly is a great faith builder, and helps me trust Him with my current doubts and struggles.
Wonderful, Tracey! I also love to think upon what God has done in the history of the bible and the worldwide church. Reading church history is an amazing reminder as well…