Be strong and let your heart take courage,
all you who hope in the LORD.
Psalm 31:24 NASB (Verse on Bible Gateway) ❤
I wasn’t going to write about this pandemic that has affected us all to some degree, but I believe the Lord had other plans. Because fear and anxiety are real, it’s even more important that we do all we can to keep our focus on Christ without denying our true feelings. Take heart in times of trouble for we are blessed we can have an intimate and trustworthy relationship with our God, one of complete candidness.
That’s just one characteristic I love about Him.
I have felt anxiety and I have felt fear. There’s often a battle between my mind and heart as I try to sort things out and make the best decisions for me and my family and all the while trusting God is leading me.
Even going to work has become scary.
Besides my other office jobs, I clean three clinics. My mom, whom I live with, has COPD, so I’m constantly concerned I might bring a virus home to her. I’m doing everything right; wearing a mask and gloves at each place I clean, constantly washing my hands, not touching my face and socializing at a distance to the best of my ability.
So now, I need to let go and be brave.
What does “Brave” mean?
BRAVE: having or showing mental or moral strength
to face danger, fear or difficulty: having or
showing courage be ready to face and endure danger
or pain. A few synonyms: Courageous, fearless,
lionhearted, unshrinking and determined.
Brave is my guiding word for 2020. The very next day after receiving my word, I was put to the test as I drove 2 miles on pure ice to get to work. I kept repeating, “Be brave. Be brave. To be brave means trusting You, Lord.” Little did I know a couple months later, we’d all be facing a danger together. And once again, I’m saying, “Be brave. Be brave.”
Numbers 23:19 is the scripture God gave me for 2020.
“God is not man, so He does not lie. He is not
human, so He does not change His mind. Has He
ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever
promised and not carried it through?”
Numbers 23:19 NLT (Verse on Bible Gateway)
Take heart … this is why God can be trusted.
He is not like any human. He always carries his promises through. Always!
Let’s try really hard not to judge others as they give in to fear and hoard things. And let’s not beat up on the Moms who are now full time teachers to their children and having a hard time with it.
Each of us has our own reality and each of us needs to extend mercy and grace to others as Christ has extended grace and mercy to us.
Will it be easy? Not neccessarily …
But in Philippians 4:13, He has promised that we can do all things through Christ Who strengthens us. So we can be brave, we can love, and we can show mercy through Christ who strengthens us.
One of the changes God has brought to my heart through this pandemic is He is making it even more tender than it was before. I find myself crying often and at the drop of a pin for others and their pain. I’m really sad for people.
Let’s continue to lift up our world in prayer. Our hope is in Jesus.
Much Love,
Take Heart in Times of Trouble @ www.freshgracefortoday.com
Related Posts:
“Faith in Times of Crisis: How to Create a Prayer Battle Plan”
“Seven Prayers for Fear and Anxiety”
“How to Overcome Fear in Life and Make a Difference for God”
“7 Biblical Truths to Help You Overcome Fear and Anxiety”
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Thank you for this post about being brave and leaning on God. Last year my word for the year was courage and working on that word has helped me through Christ to be brave for this dangerous year of 2020. Thank you for your encouraging words.
Thank you for sharing. In church we were discussing not being cowards. This is awesome. I pray I will be brave in Him!
Holding on to Christ in the midst of everything has been essential for me.
Thank you so much for this encouragement. We all handle crisis differently. No matter how we handle it, God has our back!
This is such a lovely message. We do need to take heart and trust in the Lord with all of our might! Lately, that takes a lot of might for me!
This is such an encouraging read! Especially love the reminder of why we can be brave; because God always carries through!
Thanks for this wonderful write up Susan. It’s true that sometimes anxiety gets in the way of trusting God, but we have to be brave and exhibit trust and faith.
You wrote this back in March, but I think the anxiety level is even higher now that we’re in July 2020. At least for me it is. Taking your words to heart today, and holding on to Numbers 23:19.
2020 has been enormously challenging. Your post is very encouraging and leaves me feeling, I am not alone in this battle. Thank you for your encouragement to take heart in times of trouble. My trust is in the Lord, only! Amen!
Thank you for sharing this! I am someone who really struggles with anxiety and fear, so it really hit home for me!
Great article on being brave while leaning on God. Trusting God during trying times can be really hard! So great job – brave step at a time!
This was so encouraging to read! I love that you kept telling yourself to “be brave, be brave”. I also love that you remind us that while it may not be easy we can do all things in Christ’s strength. Thank you for sharing these thoughts. I pray they inspire many women to be brave!
Thank you for sharing your heart with us! God sees you, and your circumstances and He feels with you! With Him on your side, you really can be brave!
I really loved this article. I was asking God just last night to give me strength and courage through these trying times. Blessings, Joni
It’s so very important that we talk about the fear, worry & anxiety that we’re feeling right now. Great post reminding to trust God and to help other women know they are not alone!
I am so thankful that we have a loving God that we can turn to in times of fear and sadness. Let us all remember that God knows what’s going on and he is still in control.That gives me all the comfort & hope that I need.
Yes, these are challenging times! and yes, I too have found myself feeling more empathy for what others are going through. I think that is what suffering sometimes does to us–helps us be more understanding of others. -Luisa
I enjoyed your words of encouragement!
In all honesty, sometimes it gets to me (I become fearful). Thank God that we can always hold on to God’s Word, he hasn’t given us the spirit of fear and he has also instructed us to be courageous.
Thanks for sharing this encouraging post. -Hannah 🙏
Great reminder that we can be brave and courageous because God is with us and will fulfill His promises. Take heart and stand amazed!
Love this! Such beautiful truths to reflect on especially during this time ❤️
Thank you, Nina! ❤️
It such a hard thing to be brave during this time. May God’s covering be upon you as you go from one place to another! God Bless!
Thank you, Gilian! I really appreciate your thoughtfulness! God bless you as well. ❤️
It is so easy to let fear overcome us as we understand more about this virus each day. But…we also know that God has us in the palm of His hands.
LaDonna | Faith Family and Miracles
So true, LaDonna! One of the ways I deal with all of it is not watch too much news and stay in the Word.❤️
Love the “be brave, be brave.” It’s true, we need to keep being brave and pressing into Jesus!
Thank you, Shara! ❤️
I am so grateful we can trust Him in this time or I know my anxiety would be out of control!
Mine would be too, Jenna. Praising Jesus for his strength! ❤️
Fear keeps us busy and steals our focus from God. We all need a brave response❤️
It sure does, Beth. I love the song, “Fear is a liar.”❤️
Psalm 31:24 really spoke to me today. Especially the words ‘let’ your heart take courage … I have to let my heart take courage. Never noticed that before. Been seeing more in God’s Word the part He has for me to play, usually it is to yield or come into agreement with Him. Love your word ‘Brave,’ Susan. With brave wings you fly, sweet Sister. Love your post and love you, too. Hope you had a good day today! ❤
Thank you, Donna!! I like the word ‘let’ too. It’s not always easy to do, but always worth it. God’s Word is so active, isn’t it?
I did have a very good day today. Thank you! I love you too! You’re a wonderful friend who blesses me tremendously!❤️❤️
Wonderful post and reminder of the need to be brave. As I read, I realized that we really don’t talk much about this and we should! Excellent post.
I think so too, Fleda. We need a safe place to share our thoughts and feelings. Thank you!❤️
Thank you Susan, this is a definite reminder that with God, we can brave all paths that He puts us on! He is our strength! Also a reminder that we are to be understanding of each other’s individual struggles through all that’s going on across the world.
Hi April, thank you! I’m so grateful God opened my eyes to his truth and carries me through it all. It’s too easy to get upset with others instead of showing them Jesus’ love, isn’t it? We’ll keep moving forward with him.❤️
So beautiful! I have also noticed that my heart is more tender than before. God is certainly moving while the rest of us are called to be still. Thank you for this very welcome encouragement this morning <3
Thank you, Jordan! I believe God is replacing our hearts with his. Isn’t that awesome? ❤️❤️
I can’t honestly say I’m afraid in this circumstance. My need to “take heart in times of trouble” falls in the department of seeing how little my life has changed and being convicted that I don’t engage with others as much as I probably should. Especially unbelievers. I’ve used my being an introvert as an excuse. It’s time to Take Heart and be creative!