Blessings & Battlefields: Let’s Seek Healing - 4 Habits to Grasp for Healingಮಾದರಿ

Day Three

Take Courage

Being a three-time cancer thriver (survivor) is not something I ever want to share for pity or want anyone else to experience. Yet, as with all challenges in our lives, if we look carefully, we can see glimpses of God refining and encouraging us. According to James 1:2-4, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

That scripture is so clear to me as I have visions of sitting in the chemotherapy chair, in the chemotherapy bays, where there are partitioned stations for cancer patients to sit or lie during the disbursement of the medicine running through their bodies. It is in the clarity of that memory, where I envision and feel the word “COURAGE,” in muted colors, hanging from a linen banner covering the bays. Song of Songs 2:4, “Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love.”

One of my medicines was so toxic the amazing nurses would have to basically dress in a hazmat suit to distribute it. The medicine was red. The courage it took to get up those days, to sit in the car driving to the hospital, to walk through the doors and up the stairs, and then to bend my knees to sit in the chemotherapy chair came from my toes. I had to dig so deep for that courage because I had no idea where it could be found within me.

As the nurses would come for me to release the medicine into my body, they would pause. They would graciously wait for me to open my phone and read Isaiah 1:18 OUT LOUD over myself,

“Come now, let us settle the matter,”
says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.”

Only by Jesus and from Jesus can our sins and our trials be redeemed. Only from His victory can we get up, Take Courage, and walk toward and through our hardships.

Praise you Lord God for being our Creator and our God.

Anytime I notice I am starting to sink into a very rough valley of life, or even if I’m in a silly complaining moment of life, I am clearly reminded of all of those sitting in the chemotherapy bays, day after day, hour after hour, TAKING COURAGE.

Each of us has courage inside of us that only God can provide. Take heart and reach for Him. God encourages us as he did Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Courage can be a beautiful word if we are looking to the One who goes with us.

It’s kind of strange, but sometimes I see the word “Cougar” transposed in the word “Courage.” Anyone else?

Therefore, when I see or think of attempting to be courageous, I immediately think I need to be more like a cougar. Be strong, be triumphant, like I should overpower whatever brings me stress. Courage can be expressed like that, but be reminded that at times, courage shows up in our lives as a whisper, a quiet wind, a pause, or simply by shutting our mouths.

Whenever you need to be courageous, lean on our Savior to guide and help you through. It takes courage to grab for a healing mindset. Remember to give ourselves grace too, while we take courage, because until the day He takes us with him, we will be a work in progress. Philippians 1:6 reminds us, “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

When He shows you and helps you take courage, be reminded that by you moving in your courage and God moving in your courage, you may also be inspiring others to reach for their own courage.

Jesus is our ever present, eternal, encouraging guide.

Let’s pray:

Hallelujah Father God, You are our everything! You inspire us to take courage whether by simply moving our feet one foot in front of the other, by giving us strength to stand up to something that needs our attention, or by causing us to quietly pause and actually do nothing at all. Whatever each situation may bring, give us Your grace, peace, strength, and discernment to move courageously each day.

In Your mighty name we pray,

Amen!

A Question to Ponder:

Where is God helping me be courageous right now? Thank Him.