We’re on chapter the last chapter in our book club for The Virtuous Life of a Christ-Centered Wife.
The topic today is The Courageous Wife. (Find the other posts here.)
I wonder how David felt just before he faced Goliath. Was he afraid? Was he facing the giant inside him before he even caught a glimpse of Goliath?
Either way we read in scripture how this young man stepped out in faith, conquered a giant, and brought glory to God.
Was Jesus afraid? He was afflicted, that much we know. He wept, He was in agony, and He swept drops of blood.
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.- Luke 22:44
Knowing the journey ahead, Jesus was still willing to say to the Father, “Not my will but Thine be done.”
There are some days when I feel like hiding in my backyard behind a good book. That’d be the easy life. I don’t want to share my heart with you because I know there’s a good chance I’ll get hurt.
But wanting and doing are two different things. My pastor used to remind us to walk by faith, not by feeling.
The day that I shared my testimony on this blog was the day I broke down in tears weeping before the Lord. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.
Here’s the thing. Being courageous doesn’t mean that we won’t get hurt. In fact if we’re stepping out in a public forum there’s a good chance we will be facing a giant and we will get some stones thrown our way.
Even in a smaller arena like sharing your testimony with a friend over coffee or standing firm in your faith at the office can be intimidating.
Countless people want a platform, they want a podium, or they want a book, but the moment that the testing comes with it, we’re surprised at the fiery trial we’re faced with.
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: – 1 Peter 4:12
In Job chapter one we read how he lost everything including his children, to which he said, “the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (v. 21)
A courageous person is one who is willing to say I might get hurt, but I’m loving them anyway. I might get stepped on, but I’m stepping out in faith.
The key to unlocking your fear is to follow your head, not your heart. If you know that this is the right thing to do, then step out in faith. Your feet might be shaky at first, but with each step you take you get stronger.
If you’re fearful start praying, and if you’re still fearful pray more. See how that verse above says, “And being in an agony he [Jesus] prayed more earnestly.”
If you knew me years ago, you wouldn’t have guessed I’d ever be a public speaker. I was about as terrified as you can get. Shaking like a leaf I’d stutter my way through a speech. I have some horrific memories of public speaking that I’d soon forget. I made a decision about ten years ago to do it, and stepped out in faith. So many times I’ve felt sick to my stomach, but I continued to practice and learn until I finally came to the point where I’m not the least bit nervous to stand in front of a crowd.
God equips those He calls, and part of the training we go through is pain.
I started a new project this year I call “Project 365.” My goal is to work out 365 times, maybe not in a year, but hopefully close to it.
Everyday I check off one more day on my list and I look for an encouraging quote to keep me motivated. The other day this one caught my eye, “I’m not finished when I’m tired, I’m finished when I’m done.”
Somedays I just don’t feel like working out, but I do because I’m thinking with my head, not my heart. And you know what? Even if I’m a little sore when it’s over, I know that I’m stronger than I was when I started.
Here’s a little video by Francis Chan on the topic of courage. I hope you enjoy it!
Readers, please click through to the blog to view the video below.
You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene Schacht
Check out my book, The Virtuous Life of a Christ-Centered Wife
One of the scariest things to do is to come out of hiding and shame and be authentic about what is going on inside us, but it brings healing to ourselves and opens the door to healing in others.
Thank you for the encouraging word. I do however disagree with us having to go through pain when called by God Yes, God equips us, but He doesn’t bring us through pain. Would you cause your kids to suffer or go through pain to teach them something? No. Well, He is the PERFECT Father with PERFECT LOVE…. so neither would He. Unfortunately, God gets blamed for about of things He doesn’t do.
Also when Job said “God gives and takes away” he later in the book admitted that he misspoke about God. and didn’t understand Him. Job is one of the most misinterpreted books in the bible and a lot of misrepresentation of God has come from incorrect translation of the book of Job. I would encourage you to read the book: UNDERSTANDING THE BOOK OF JOB, by Tom Tompkins.
Blessings!
Thanks for your thoughts CB. I think I’ll check out that book. I love studying Old Testament stuff.
The kind of pain I’m talking about is when Jesus said, “You will have trouble in this world.” We have peace in him, but will always have trouble in the world.
And this really spoke to me, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1 Peter 5:8-10
I really needed this today. It’s my first time alone with the kids since our son was born last week. I’m not supposed to be alone, but no one is here to help me and it has been a trying morning already, even though we’ve only been up less than two hours. I’m tired, frustrated and having a bad attitude about the whole situation. It doesn’t help that I have been afraid this whole time of how this is going to work. How am I going to take care of a toddler that was pushing me to the brink while I was pregnant, now that I have an infant to take care of as well? One day at a time…I am trying to have courage. Thank you for your encouragement!
Darlene,
I found your comments in your blog to be encouraging and ‘right on!” Pain is an inevitable part of life and as we face losses (whether they be from letting go of false perceptions or the hurtful actions of others) we have the opportunity to discover the reality of God’s love and grace in ways that we might not otherwise experience it. While God may not be the source of the pain He ALLOWS it for our good and His purposes. I agree totally that when we take a step out of our comfort zone and follow God’s leading there are times of testing that can be very painful where we either grow in our faith and move forward with new found courage or draw back in fear. As a longtime cancer survivor, I have created a series of “Reflection” books using poetry I have written during times of pain and adversity and have begun posting them on Amazon. I find sharing hope out of our pain to be healthy and encouraging to others. Your advice to follow your head and not your heart is certainly wise but sometimes you have to acknowledge what you are feeling in order to make that choice. I love the Psalms for that perspective. I have enjoyed your blogs….Keep up the good work!!!
And you too. May God continue to bless and give your opportunity to share your words.
I’m at the point where I so tired from the life’s rollercoaster and just want some safety so I can rest… But it’s not the place where Lord wants me to be… Thank you for the post, now there is more for me to diagest… God bless you!