Grace to Be Strong and CourageousSample

Stronger Than Yesterday

The weatherman peered into the camera, “Take shelter NOW!”  My husband and I cleaned out the coat closet and grabbed a crowbar in case we needed to dig our way out. I felt helpless. Fear gripped my heart! Self-condemnation followed. I had written a book on overcoming fear, yet I was afraid again. 

This was another opportunity to learn how to call out fear and give that bully a black eye by taking shelter—not only in the closet, but in the Most High God.

We can’t grow unless we stretch ourselves and practice. And boy, does life give us occasions to practice! As with any training program it takes consistency, discipline, and practice to build knowledge, strength, and endurance.     

Much like King David, we can strengthen ourselves in the Lord. 

HOW YOU CAN STRENGTHEN YOURSELF IN THE LORD

1.  Believe -- you can trust Him.  Really, you can.

2.  Abide -- make Him your home. He tells us He is with us always. So, be with HIM. 

3.  Watch -- Keep a spiritual eye out. Look and Listen! Guard your heart against offense, sin, and temptation.

4.  Pray --Talk to God! It's that simple. Then listen when He talks to you! Scripture tells us, "WHEN YOU PRAY", Not IF.  It is here we grow in the authority HE gives. 

5.  Stretch Yourself/Practice Your Faith -- We don’t all start out strong. We GROW in strength by disciplining ourselves as we practice our faith. We gain endurance over time and stretch ourselves to become more flexible. 

6.  Stand  -- Hold the Line! Be steadfast. Stand upon the true foundation, the cornerstone. The Rock. 

7.  Act -- GET UP and MOVE!  Obey Him. The word arise in the Geek referred to rousing oneself from inactivity. Typically, when Jesus used the word "Rise or Get Up" he followed it with AND...There was always a command to DO SOMETHING. 

I am not so foolish to believe the enemy will not war to jerk me out of peace and into fear or attempt to pull me from courage to discouragement. But I have resolved in my heart to follow Jesus. 

What about you?

We hope this plan was encouraging to you. For more information about faith and trust, click here. Link to: Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust