Here I am in that place again. The one I find myself in frequently where I’m stressed and exhausted mind, body and spirit. I suppose this is the way of a mother, especially when there’s six young lives to shepherd and a marriage to keep tended to. I’m tempted to check-out mentally and sink into the oblivion of nothingness, but I keep having these words float through my mind,
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS.
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS.
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS.
These words jolt me back to a place of wakefulness and purpose because they remind me that right now, I am in the opposite place. I am weak, tired and fearful. God wants me to BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS and yet the enemy does a fine job of bogging me down with simple busyness which weakens my defenses. When I am the opposite of STRONG AND COURAGEOUS, I am not trusting Him. My mind is not meditating on His word and its truth. Instead, I am worrying, grumpy, full of anxiety and angry. I am definitely not praying for my children, my husband or even myself. I am functioning in my human strength.
When I am the opposite of STRONG AND COURAGEOUS, I am worn out so I don’t have time to read my Bible, do my Bible study, text my friends for encouragement, remember any scripture to get me out of my funk, and certainly no time to listen to a podcast to fill my soul. Instead, I mind-numbingly text my friends to whine and check FB because, you know, maybe this time it might fill me up. Right.
So I wonder, Friend, are you in the same place as me where the enemy is winning? He’s got you beat down from life and not a lick of energy to fight for your family? Can I remind you what I am self-talking to myself, that no one can fight for you or your family like you can?
So my friend, get up. Shake it off and fight. Remember what He told you, do whatever it takes. Get up early, go to bed late, check social media less, get rid of something in your schedule, ask for help in managing your village, take a nap, put your book down, go for a run to clear your mind, order a pizza instead of cooking from scratch. Say “no” to something and say “yes” to someone who is calling out to you to
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
Deuteronomy 31: 6
