Courage to Reconnect
So I was lying on my bed thinking of what it is I am desperately in need of right now, and as always courage came up. But then I started to dismantle it in my mind and I started to ask God, what is courage? What does it look like? and of course the story of Joshua’s triumph came to mind but even more so did 2 Timothy 1:7. But how does it relate to our resolution to reconnect? Well here’s what I think we should all be reminded of in our pursuit of meaningful reconnections this year.
Courage is possessing Power. Love and Soundness of mind
Power is being equipped and enabled by God to do His will. It is the presence of a strong will and submitted heart. It is tapping into your God given abilities to complete the task. It is trusting God to do the impossible and providing him with opportunity to do it.
Love is your ability to look beyond your own self, to engage with the task sacrificially and compassionately. It is to put others before yourself, even if it feels like no one has put you before them. Love is knowing that you are cared for by God and that he stands behind you and will not retain good from you, regardless of what it may look like to you. If you can put an awareness of self aside for the task you will have the courage to accomplish so much more than if you do not.
Soundness of mind is unwavering faith in who God is and who he has called you to be. It is confidence in his purposes for you and understanding of his ways. It is not being easily distracted from your task or easily manipulated by the whispered or shouted lies of your enemies. It is being self controlled. It is a regularly renewed mind.
When all these factors are put together I believe that we can face any task, any obstacle. It therefore culminates into a definition of courage. When God told Joshua to only be strong and courageous, he went on to perform great feats in His name. Feats that reflected power, love and soundness of mind. This is what God offers for the task.
Fear therefore must consist of weakness, hate and insanity. Which at one point or another we have all experienced. If you are weak, seek God for power, if you harbour hatred in your heart seek God for an encounter with his love. If you feel psychologically oppressed, if you’re caught in a never ending cycle that leaves you hopeless, seek God for soundness of mind. He gives good rest, peace and joy to the ones who are called his own, even in the midst of overwhelming circumstances. So be courageous. But remember that courage doesn’t mean going it alone, it takes just as much to reach out to someone else.
So in keeping with our relationship resolutions this year, be courageous in your attempts at reconciliation and reconnection. This might mean correcting another in love, continuing to be kind and merciful to someone who does not deserve it or it might even mean walking away from relationships that endanger more important ones (like your relationship with God). Being courageous means facing your circumstances with the understanding that the power behind you is more than the power within you, that you are just as in need of mercy as you should give it and that you can believe that God can do the impossible and make all things work together for your good.
Be a blessing,
KellyP
Kelly is the founder of Royalty Press United. Author of the Gemstone Royals fantasy series, Twist of Faith and Crossroads. Counseling psychologist, proud Grenadian and devoted follower of Christ.
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