Building “Courage Muscles”

Lately, I’ve heard a lot of people say they are just “coasting.”  [Isn’t that a good time for them to check and see if they are headed downhill?]  Others are just “going with the flow.”  [What happens when they get to the waterfall?]

The Path of Least Resistance is often inviting and compelling.  Unless those who follow it end up staying in a place they’d rather escape… or settling for an “existence” that sucks real Life out of them.  Like those who agree “The definition of insanity is doing the same things you’ve always done and expecting different results”… but who keep doing those same things anyway.

But then, there are the Risk-Taking Adventurers, who find their adventures exhilarating, intimidating, stretching, terrifying and thrilling.  Like a dear friend who captained a boat for the very first time, crossing a huge open sea to get to an island paradise.  Or another dear friend, who was the first to successfully scale a very large and very sheer rock wall, despite her total lack of experience and her fear of heights.

Traveling way outside their Comfort Zones, from Fear-Full to FEARLESS.  Their “courage muscles” stronger than ever!

“… one thing I do:   Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 3:13b-14)

It isn’t all that different for spiritual risk-takers… is it, Lord?  The ones who are willing to take off their masks and be transparent, believing You will use even (especially?) their struggle(s) to be a blessing to others.  The ones who are willing to take You at Your Word, Lord… trusting they can let down their guard with You because You are trustworthy — The Promise Maker, who is also The Promise Keeper.

How do we move from inside the boat to outside, Lord… our eyes on You as we walk on water, accomplishing the impossible?

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”  (Isaiah 41:10)

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — His good, pleasing and perfect will.”  (Romans 12:2)

I was talking with a dear sister-in-Christ today.  By Your grace, Lord, You revealed to her a lie she has been believing for decades.  A lie that has lured her into being her own worst enemy.  A lie that has quenched her joy and hindered her Kingdom impact.  She knows it is a lie (on an intellectual level).  She even has a vague awareness of scriptures that counter the lie.  But with a mixture of frustration and acceptance, she told me, “I’m not good at memorizing.”  She was referring to Your Word.

Right away, You prompted me to “lovingly challenge” that statement… because You had given me eyes to see.  She’s actually great at memorizing!  Look at the lie she has memorized and made part of her all these years!  She has memorized it so well, she defaults to it without even thinking!  She just has to redirect her memorizing skills to Your Word, Lord… so she can be set free with Your Truth!

“If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  (John 8:31-32)

What are the two key ways to strengthen our natural muscles?  1)  Lifting more weight; and 2) Resistance training.  Doesn’t sound like “coasting” or “going with the flow” to me!  Why am I not surprised???

Eager for my next workout,

Abba’s Girl

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