en-COURAGE-ment

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

^1-3The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

“It is just too scary.”

“I don’t have what it takes.”

“What if I mess this up, what will everyone think?”

“I don’t want to disappoint everyone again.”

“Where will I find friends, where will I go?”

Those are some fearful thoughts for sure; every one of them.

They are tinged in doubt, highlighted with apprehension, and loaded with fear.

Yet I am sure that we all have had them cross our mind before. We may have even gone as far to utter them audibly a time or two.

We all face times in our lives where "things" can cause us to be little fearful. No one is a fan of the unknown. At least I know I am not!

Maybe it is a new job, a new move or an unexpected change. Or it could be something as big as being released from incarceration or treatment and having no inkling as to “what is next”.

And while fearful moments and situations may be inevitable, GOD wants us to be courageous nonetheless!

1 Corinthians 16:13

…stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.

Part of the challenge with that is we often get a little confused about this whole “courage call”.

Courage isn't the absence of fear. Courage means to seize the strength you find within you, to encourage yourself, to be obstinate or steadfastly minded. It doesn't mean being free of fear. It means finding enough strength to take the next step.

And that is crucial, especially when we are facing the unknown or when we feel “over our head” in life.

GOD has promised to instill in us the “en-COURAGE-ment” when we are up against a tough trial or staring down a seemingly insurmountable challenge. Our job is to ignite that encouragement with our FAITH, for FAITH is the antithesis of FEAR.

So lean on your faith and trust that “whatever” you are about to face, GOD will deliver you.

Psalm 97:10

…the LORD…he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them…

And that GOD will give you the needed confidence to see you through!

Ephesians 3:12

…When we trust in him, we’re free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go.

Have a blessed and faithful day today!

Yes you can!

I love you all.

Freedom Church

Pastor GDelaney