Theme: Courage
Scripture: Isaiah 41:10 The Message Version
Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll
help you. I’ll
hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
Devotional:
Recently
I was doing some research on support groups for addiction (think: Alcoholics
Anonymous) and I came across the serenity prayer that is often recited in the
beginning of the group meeting. In case you’ve never heard it before, it says:
“God,
grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change
the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” I was immediately
struck by the request for courage to change. For me, it seemed odd to need
courage to change but as I reflected more on the idea of change, I found that
it makes complete sense to ask for courage. From my perspective, no one likes to
change or rather no one likes the process of change. Change is hard. For some,
it is difficult to imagine letting go of people, behaviors, or ideas that, at
some point in our lives, were loving, helpful, or beneficial. And it is
fruitful to reflect on how letting go of these things that are less than
advantageous now could serve us better for the future. But, admittedly, it is
scary. In many ways, we have felt protected by those people or circumstances
and the idea of letting it go takes courage. Courage. The root word for courage
is “cor” – the Latin word for heart. How fitting, in fact, is this root of
courage? It certainly takes heart (courage) to recognize the need for change.
It takes heart (courage) to make changes. And it takes heart (courage) to know
that even if making the change is difficult, you will reap the benefits of
listening to your heart and pressing toward change. Think about the last time
you made a difficult but necessary change. Did it involve any heart work? Did
you feel lighter once you committed to the change? The work of change involves
the heart in ways that would be impossible to understand unless you’re willing
to admit the pain, the grief of change. It is not easy letting go of something
or someone that – at one point – felt right or good. But if you listen to your
heart, leaning into courage to make the change, there will be a mending of your
heart that is inevitable. During this Lenten season, seek God’s change for your
life and have courage to know that even through the change God is
with you.
Prayer:
God,
change is hard. Please strengthen my mind to endure the difficulties of change.
Guard my heart and give me the insight to recognize the areas of my life that
need change. If it is a behavior, a relationship or even a way of thinking that
needs to change, please impart wisdom for me to know, eyes for me to see, and
the heart (courage) to make the change. Do not allow me to be overwhelmed by
the process of change but to step into Your guidance that will lead me toward
change. Annihilate the fear that seeks to destroy me in the process of change,
by giving me a divine calm to trust that change is necessary. Send me toward
people who will support my desire to change and remove any person who attempts
to thwart the changes that You are calling for me. Selah.
Reflection Question:
Are there areas of your life that need to be challenged or
changed? What are you holding on to because of your fear of the process of
change?
The song was a powerful set up for this reflection. Have I the courage to change? And how good to hear God say - Don't panic, I'm with you!
ReplyDeleteYes, how good it is to hear God say, "don't panic!" Whew! I am grateful for God's promises. And, I'll trust God...again. Blessings to you!
DeleteYes! Don't panic, says God! I do have the courage to change. I believe; God, help my unbelief.
ReplyDeleteI loved that song and the beautiful reflection and prayer. Right now I’m praying for the courage to overcome addiction in my life. A big part of that is fear of the empty spots that will exist when the addiction is overcome. What will I be able to fill it with? Will I have the courage to wait with hope.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing your heart! Change is difficult to manage at times because so much of it is living into the unknown. I think it is completely understandable that you would have some fear around the empty spots. I have that feeling sometimes, too. I wonder to myself, "what if every moment of my day is not filled with something and I am confronted with my emotions, feelings, desires, limitations, etc. Yea, that's a very real fear, indeed. AND I want to encourage you that you are not alone. Perhaps finding community with others who also live with an addiction AND who are actively engaged in the work of overcoming the addiction, will give you the courage to hope. Also, spending some time reflecting on what YOU like to do and seeking ways to incorporate it into your life is a way to anticipate the empty spots and to have a plan for it. In the meantime, I will be in prayer for your heart. I will ask God to give you courage to be steadfast on the journey. I will also ask for compassion and grace while you are walking this path. Blessings to you on this journey. You are not alone!
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