COURAGEOUS

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)

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

Joshua 1:9 (ESV)

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

That is a familiar passage, right?

It shows up on lots of “Bible Bookstore Stuff” doesn’t it.

And why not?

It is INTENSELY AFFIRMING.

But it is ALSO requiring ACTION!

Yes, GOD is WITH YOU, but that doesn’t mean we are to be PASSIVE and content to just rest behind the ever-present shielding of the Lord, but rather use that ASSURITY to STEP OUT into the WORLD with BOLDNESS and CONFIDENCE. because GOD is WITH US, WHEREVER. 

And that WHEREVER part is crucial.

It reminds me of this passage:

If I go up to heaven, you’re there!

If I go down to the realm of the dead, you’re there too!

If I fly with wings into the shining dawn, you’re there!

If I fly into the radiant sunset, you’re there waiting!

Wherever I go, your hand will guide me.

your strength will empower me.

It’s impossible to disappear from you

or to ask the darkness to hide me,

for your presence is everywhere, bringing light into my night.

There is no such thing as darkness with you. – Psalm 139:8-12 (TPT)

Yet I share those familiar yet resonate passages today because of what I was witness to yesterday. 

I was blessed to share with some friends at NEW LIFE CHURCH in Hancock County Ohio.  They were HOSTING a Mental Health Awareness and Equipping Day. 

That is a bold and courageous move in and of itself given the stigma still VERY prominent in the faith community regarding mental illness and addiction A faith community where some still SHAME those challenged by mental health and addiction maladies.  A faith community that is still mired in tired stereotypes and strategies to deal with complex mind, soul and spirit issues. 

So, the mere fact this leadership team was CHALLENGING the stigma and offering PROVEN and blended help and education was deeply refreshing. 

So yes, I led with that verse today to COMMEND my friends from Findlay for their courage. 

But what MOST impacted me yesterday was the COURAGE of 3 remarkable leaders.  

One was a LIFELONG CHRISTIAN and LEADER who was DEALING with depression.

Another a CHURCH ADMINISTRATOR who since she was a teen has been negatively impacted by shame, depression, anxiety and unfortunately a bevy of clueless “CHURCH FOLKS” that had often led her to contemplations of suicide.

And finally, a lovely mama of 5 whose family had battled addiction and she the mental strain of “trying to hold it all together”.

Telling THOSE stories boldly and unashamedly in a church is no easy task.

Trust me.  I know.

But EACH and EVERYONE of them realized that GOD was WITH THEM, even in the darkest of their seasons and even when “the church” wasn’t. 

And it was their collective courage and candor that opened the eyes and convicted many in the seats, but it also stirred one fella to rise from his seat and vulnerably share his very current and very active challenge with substance use.  It was THE AFFIRMED BOLDNESS and COURAGE of the speakers that inspired him to SEEK the help he desperately needed.

Now I wish I could put a red ribbon on this and tell you our addicted friend found deliverance after lots of prayer, I wish I could tell you that he even accepted our offer to find help at my center or the REFUGE.  I wish I could tell you that I knew where he was this morning.  I can’t.

But what I can tell you with confidence is that that fella would not have made his struggles known had it not been for the COURAGE of those others who were willing to REMEMBER that GOD was with them through the nerves of public speaking, that GOD was with them as their shared some of their most intimate challenges and that GOD was with them to “help them help” this one who most needed it.

Therefore, friends, I simply share this with you today to ENCOURAGE YOU to HAVE COURAGE. 

GOD is indeed with you today, WHEREVER you go. 

So:

Don’t be shy with your story.

Don’t be timid with your testimony.

Be BOLD!

Be CONFIDENT!

Be WILLING! 

You never know WHO might need to hear WHAT GOD has done for you!

Remember...

“The hardest thing to ever do is to reveal the naked soul to the world. However, in doing so brings healing, growth, strength, and powerful inspiration!” ― H.E. Olsen

I love you all!

Have a BLESSED DAY!

Opportunities for Hope