As a mother I’m noticing that our life journey with the Lord looks a lot like a child’s journey with their parents. I root for my children to succeed yet sometimes they make mistakes. Even still, I don’t view their mistakes as failure—I rejoice in the learning that occurs through their mistakes and in “failing”. I am proud of them for trying. Proud because they decided to go for it.
Recently my son, 5yrs, decided he was going to replicate the elaborate lego ship from the box cover. Instead of discouraging him I said, “Go for it son!” Inside I knew he would likely face a myriad of emotions along the way—frustration, discouragement, fear, joy, competition, excitement—all of which I was prepared to come right along side him to encourage, cheer on and celebrate! Even though I knew it would be tough for him at times I wasn’t going to prep him for failure by saying, “Well son, you can try but you might not succeed.” No way! I told him to go for it! “Give it a try!”
You never know, there really could be some hidden architectural talent inside him that causes him to create it just like the picture! Or, he may “fail” to recreate the box image but succeed in creating his own personal masterpiece. Perhaps his space ship will turn out looking more like a space crash but if that’s the case I was ready. I was right there by his side encouraging him. Praising him for trying. I was ready to help him and if need be the next go around I would step in and help him build it so I could demonstrate how to accomplish it.
Either way, my pride in my son doesn’t hinge on his success or failure in executing the task at hand, my pride in my son is anchored in his heart. His will to try. His desire to go for it is what I want to fan into flame.
God views us much the same way! He is there with us. His promise is to never leave us. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father ever interceding for us, rooting for us to go for it (Rom. 8:34)! Fear of failure can be paralyzing. If we let it this fear can hinder our steps, stunt our growth and delay our destiny. We can be so terrified at making mistakes that we never go for anything!
Something I ask myself every time I decide to go for it is this: What’s the worst that can happen? I fail? They say “No”? Well, it’s already a no if I don’t try so I may as well go for it. Who knows, it could be a yes! I could succeed in my goal, or sure, I could fail but responding to the drive inside is a far greater success than not. Being brave and trusting God means taking those steps outside of the box drawing on your faith in Him to stir up courage inside of you!
God uses courage to get us out of the box so we can live our lives in the impossible realm of His Kingdom.
So where does it happen? It’s through our time of devotion and secret place encounters with His presence that He builds our faith, courage and strength. He transforms us into people who aren’t afraid of the “no’s” in life! We become people who live within the eternal acceptance of Christ Jesus so we begin to care less and less what people think of us because we are solid in believing what God says about us.
Something my dad says to me often when I’m working through something is, “Krissy, you’re assigning too much weight to that.” Meaning, I give too much weight to the wrong thing i.e. what people think, a situation, etc. What people think isn’t as important as what God thinks! We should assign the most weight to what God thinks about us!
God thinks you can do anything friend! You are His beloved child.
This faith journey can be challenging at times and exhilarating at others! Regardless, we don’t stop. We walk it out, continue to journey and trust the Lord. We lean not on our own understanding but in all our ways acknowledge Him allowing him to direct our path (Prov. 3:5–6).
It’s a wild adventure friend! Let’s allow the courage of Christ in us to swell in our hearts today.
Go for it!!
This Week’s Challenge: What have you been longing to “go for” but fear held you back? I want to challenge you to go for it with God! Seek Him, what is it He is asking you to trust Him with? I speak a supernatural courage over you this week! Allow the courageous heart of Christ to swell up within your heart now! Dare to believe that God thinks you can do anything! He knows it! He made you!
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:9
I love you,
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