"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)
When you are going through a tough time at work, do you try to just get through it, or do you take time to reflect on what has happened? In a busy life, we sometimes feel we don’t have time for this, but it is crucial to take time to think through it and not just get through it. Before we can improve in an area of our lives, we need to understand it better from a personal perspective and God’s perspective.
For many years, I have been interested in going back to school. However, it has been many years since I graduated, so I was not sure if I would be able to handle a Master’s program. I contacted the University and was given permission to take one of the required courses. I thoroughly enjoyed it and successfully completed it. This experience gave me the courage to apply to the Master’s in Rehab Science program, and I was delighted to be accepted. There is no doubt it is a lot of work. Still, it also applies to my business, my clinical interest in osteoporosis, and my confidence in being an active research participant. I definitely had to work through the process of what my fear was (fear of failure), but I felt joy and peace with the course experience as well as the application process.
Is there something you think you would like to do but don’t yet have the courage to do? This week, take time to answer the following four questions. Find a quiet place and set aside time to think about each question. Don’t rush through your answers, as an understanding of courage can be the next step you need to take in your faith journey. Prayerfully ask God to give you the wisdom to understand courage and its importance in your walk with Him.
1. 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
2. What is something regarding work, or something that interests you, that you want to do but have not yet done?
"I considered my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies." Psalm 119:59
3. 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 fearful 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
4. 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
As you reflect on courage from a personal perspective, please join us next week for our Memo on reflecting on courage from God’s perspective.
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. Forgive us when we do not turn to You and Your Word for wisdom on how to deal with fearful situations which keep us from doing Your Will. This week, please give us an understanding of courage and teach us all we need to know for what You have planned for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
May God richly bless you this week as you take time to consider courage and its role in your journey of faith. Have a wonderful week!
Bonny, Christian Women at Work
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