Courage

For the past few weeks, this has been my word.

Do you ever go through seasons in your life where a word or a thought keeps coming up again and again--on the radio, in things people say, in things you hear at church, in things you hear on the street in town?

That's the way it is with Courage.

Lately, I've realized that I have spent a lot of years praying for things that have been right in front of me the whole time. Like provision--"Dear God, help me make the bills this month." Or decision-making--"Dear God, I've prayed as much as I can about this decision--please let it be the right one." Or sharing my life with others--"Dear God, please make me strong enough and give me what I need to share with that person about You."

Please don't misunderstand. There's no doubt, God DOES ask us to pray for what we need. But, I'm realizing that some of what I've been praying for, is stuff he has already given me the tools to deal with.

Like provision---He already told me he would take care of me no matter what happens.
And decision making---Didn't I already say I had prayed about it many times? Why am I still moving forward with uncertainty and fear when he PROMISES over and over that he will lead me?
And as for sharing---what about all those promises he made about sending the Holy Spirit to give me the power--even the exact WORDS that I will need, when the time comes?

That is why lately I'm realizing that I don't need to pray for things like these.
What I need to pray for is the COURAGE to follow through, pick up the tools he has already promised me and USE THEM.

Obviously, not every need falls into these catagories, but the more closely I look at my prayer requests, the more I see things that do. And the more I am moved to my knees to ask why I am having so much trouble reaching out and taking what he has already given.

What do you think?