As I began to pray over my blog for this week, I had to do a little positive self-talk to feel up to par. “I can do hard things,” I repeated to myself over and over. Not that writing a blog is per se the hardest thing, but still I can do it. These five little words have become a new motto in my life, especially when I’m constantly running into things that don’t always feel comfortable. As we all grow and walk into the calling God has placed ahead of us, there are often hard things in our path.
Romans 8:37 reminds us: “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors . . .”
As I began working on this blog and feeling very motivated to take on the world and conqueror fears, trials, and hard paths—I was stopped. There is nothing more loving of the Father than to stop us in our tracks and gently say, “Hey baby, you’re forgetting something.” This stop came as I was listening to a song by Bethel entitled “You Make Me Brave.” I was forgetting the second part of verse 37. It continues: “. . . through Him who loved us.” HE is the one who is making us conquerors. HE is the one who makes us able to do hard things. HE MAKES US BRAVE!
August and September bring around a lot of newness. It’s the start of a new school year, a new rhythm, and a new level of traffic. I want to encourage YOU that you can do hard things like letting your baby go to Kindergarten. YOU can do hard things like going back to get that college degree even after that season has passed. YOU can do hard things like giving away that money you’ve been saving. YOU can do hard things like walking through the death of a family member. You know why? Because HE—Jesus Christ, our Protector, our Father, our Encourager, the Holder of our hearts, our Provider, our Friend in times of need—makes us BRAVE.
Keep making waves for the Kingdom and stepping in His direction because you were created for “just a time as this.” Now don’t get me started on a full Esther rant, but if you are needing encouragement, camp out in the book of Esther and watch how the story isn’t just about Esther being able to do hard things but also about God making her brave.
Rely on the Lord as you make steps of boldness. Walk in His courage as you do hard things! Cheering you on!
