Proverbs at Work: Trust God for Courage for Your Journey - Part 1

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Where does your courage come from? As Christians, we know God gives us courage. However, how often do we think about that gift and its meaning in our everyday lives? Is there something in your life right now you believe you should do but do not feel you have the courage to take the next step? Perhaps it is starting a new project, looking for a new job, thinking about returning to school or talking to your boss about a new role.

Over the next few weeks, please take some reflection time to think about “Trusting God for Courage for Your Journey.” Essentially, take time for self-reflection. Sometimes, before we can improve in an area of our lives or take a needed “next step,” we need to understand it better from a personal perspective. Part 2 of “Trust God for Courage for Your Journey” will be about understanding courage better from God’s perspective.

Take time to answer the following five questions. Don’t rush through your answers, as an understanding of courage can be the next step you need to take in your faith journey. Find a quiet place and set aside adequate time (we know schedules can change, so plan the best you can!) to think about each question. Prayerfully ask God to give you the wisdom to understand courage and the importance of it in your walk with Him.

Taking This to God in Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word is rich with demonstrations of Your love and faithfulness. Forgive us if and when we take Your gifts of love and direction lightly and do not go deeply into our hearts and souls with an appreciation for them. Forgive us when we do not actively put them into place so we can take the next steps in our faith journey You have planned for us. Forgive us when we do not turn to You and Your Word for wisdom on how to deal with fearful situations. Every day, please give us an understanding of courage and teach us what we need to know. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Digging Deeper

Question #1: Courage is a word that we hear often. How would you define courage?

“Let us test and examine our ways and return to the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:40)

Question #2: On a scale of 1 to 10, how courageous would you say you are? Why did you give yourself that number?

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139: 23-24)

Question #3: What is something regarding work that interests you which you want to do but have yet to do?

“I considered my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies.” (Psalm 119:59)

Question #4: Regarding something you want to do you have not yet done, do you think it is a courage issue? If so, what specifically are you afraid of?

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:21)

Question #5: What do you think God wants you to know about this situation?

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)

May God richly bless you as you consider courage and its role in your faith journey. Have a wonderful time going deeper into your faith and learning about courage.

Bonny, Christian Women at Work

Expressing the Fruit of the Spirit at work: JOY

On the days when the car has an unexpected rattle or flat tire, the wifi goes out, a key staff calls in sick at the worst possible time - I have a tendency to default towards panic and stress. I confess, that happens more than I like as a woman of faith!

Yet God reminds us in Galatians 5:22-23 that we have access to a better way with His help.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

As we continue our series on Expressing the Fruit of the Spirit at Work, we see a word which may not seem like it belongs, joy.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, JOY is defined as:

1. “great happiness”

2. “a person or thing which causes happiness.”

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/joy

The second definition above of the noun Joy applies to how it is a fruit of the Spirit.

“May the God of hope fill you with all JOY and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)

“Ask {in My Name}, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” (John 16:24)

“…the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)

Somehow, as the verses above reassure us, when we invite God into a situation, He can give us joy despite the circumstances we are facing.

One of the side effects of experiencing this Spirit given joy is how it can benefit our whole person:

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)

This article talks about the effects of joy on our bodies & minds:

https://www.healthline.com/health/affects-of-joy

Expressing joy is a gift given by the Holy Spirit for each of us, God’s children, and helps mark us as followers of Jesus. Joy helps us hold on to hope when things are hard or strained at work.

Taking This to God in Prayer:

God, I don’t always default to invite You into every situation when it occurs, and I am sorry for that weakness in putting my faith into practice. Your Word reminds me that YOU are able to give me supernatural joy, a joy founded upon being Your daughter, as You release Your Spirit fresh within me. Teach me to turn to You first in every situation, that I might express that same joy at work. Let my God given joy be a witness to You, God, wherever I go, and whatever we face together.In Jesus' Name, Amen.

May we increasingly express joy as we walk out being Spirit filled Christian women at work,

Karla Lees

Christian Women at Work

Do Justice & Love Grace

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

God has not told us to do justice or love kindness, or walk humbly with Him. He has told us to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with Him. Different versions of Micah 6:8 will refer to kindness, mercy, or grace. The Hebrew Bible uses the word "grace."

What does it mean to give grace to someone? The Biblical definition refers to "undeserved kindness." It means showing love and compassion to someone even though they may not appreciate it, understand what it costs you, or plan to return the kindness.

• Micah 6:8 does not tell us to do justice or love grace. We are to do both as we walk humbly with God. When you think of God's grace, what comes to mind?

• Consider Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." What thoughts do you have as you meditate on this verse and God's grace towards you?

• Do you 100% believe you are saved by grace, or do you feel you need to earn it? Consider Ephesians 2:8: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God." What do you think of as you consider salvation and God's forgiveness as a free gift, which you did not earn?

• What is your understanding of showing grace to others? Does it depend on the person, your feelings, or the situation? God wants us to demonstrate grace to others and to become strong in this area. On a scale of 0 to 10, with "0" never showing grace to anyone and "10" representing that you always show grace no matter the person or situation, how would you rate your "grace demonstration"?

• As God has forgiven us, so we are to forgive others. As God demonstrated grace to us, we are to show grace to others. God wants us to grow strong in this area and not hold back. Colossians 3:13 says: "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you". As you meditate on this verse, what comes to mind?

Grace for someone specific:

Does someone come to mind that you feel you could be showing more grace to? Are you trying to do this naturally? Now is the time to ask God to give you His grace for the person. To see them through His eyes. Remember the grace He has shown you and the expectation that you will be His grace to others.

Grace in your everyday life:

How would you rate yourself on a scale of 0 to 10 at work or at home? "0" would be "Never graceful to anyone," and 10 would be "Always graceful to everyone."

Look for ways to demonstrate grace to others this week at work and home. Be especially careful to consider those times when something (or someone) may have disappointed you or irritated you. If you historically were not so gracious, be aware of these opportunities going forward to show grace and forgiveness. Can you think of one thing that might arise next week at work or home that you can respond to with "strong grace"? If so, write it down below.

Consider writing a prayer about a situation or person that is stressing you. Refer to if often during this coming week.

Taking This To God in Prayer

God, would You help me to walk out Micah 6:8 at work? May I offer justice whenever injustice occurs around me. May I extend grace wherever it is needed. And may I walk humbly before You, my Guide and Saviour. I thank You for the grace and mercy You always offer me as Your child. Help me to walk this out wherever I am as I navigate this new work week. Amen.

May God richly bless you as you demonstrate His grace, love, and mercy at work and in your home.

Bonny, Christian Women at Work