Have you ever had someone tell you that they would pray for you? This is something that can be thrown around haphazardly at times. However, yesterday, the way that someone told me they would pray for me stopped me in my tracks and has stuck with me since.
I was speaking with a woman whom I hold in high regard Sunday morning at church. She is a member of the Hispanic congregation at our church, and I think she is just incredible. She has three children, two of them twins, speaks two languages in the most beautiful way, and watching her praise Jesus is something beautiful to behold. She is beautiful from the inside-out.
We were talking about being a mom and how hard it can be to go back to work, especially with a child so young…and after she encouraged me and told me she would be praying for my family, she added one thing on the end of her well wishes.
She said—”I’ll be praying that you can be brave.”
Maybe it’s just because I’m in a bit of an emotional time of life, leaving my 2-month-old in the hands of other people all day, but that was exactly what I needed to hear.
Of course I appreciate when people tell me that they are praying for me or my family, but when she told me specifically HOW she would be praying for me—for me to BE brave—it made me FEEL brave.
There are so many verses I learned as a child that teach us as Christians to be courageous (and strong) for the Lord your God goes before you wherever you go (slightly paraphrased version of Joshua 1:9).
When I was buying decorations for my son’s nursery, everywhere I turned there were signs that said “Be brave,” he even has a blanket that has the words “be brave, little one” printed on it.
Children seem to be constantly reminded to BE BRAVE.
But why is it, that as I have grown up, and I need to be more and more courageous, these verses and words of encouragement have slipped my mind? I know why; because I’m vulnerable!
The enemy loves to attack at a time when we are most vulnerable. Just as a predator is more likely to attack prey that is separated from the group, Satan does the same to us as Christians. This is why community and corporate worship (i.e. going to church on a Sunday) are so important for Christ followers.
Had I not attended church yesterday, I wouldn’t have been able to be encouraged by this fellow mom and sister in Christ. The message our pastor presented was a great one, but sometimes the Lord speaks to me in different ways while I’m in His house.
Yesterday He spoke to me saying, “Be brave Emily; I am here with you, and I go before you; I work all things together for your good,” just like Rom. 8:28 says,
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Now, I’m telling you, friends, BE BRAVE!
I hope today that I can be that person who encourages you, even though I’m not physically in your presence. I hope you read this and can be encouraged to be BRAVE in the face of uncertainty, anxiety, change, the unknown or something that flat out scares you.
There is not a battle against the enemy that God has not won, and I assure there is not a battle with the enemy that if you fight it with prayer, scripture and good old fashioned God-breathed courage, there is not a battle you can’t win.
This world can be a scary place, but know that you are not alone. Jesus has made you a conqueror, just as Romans 8:17 says:
“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Thank you for reading, now go have a good week!