COURAGE.

What is it and why do you need it? Courage, by definition is: mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Do you know what God says about courage? Be strong and courageous because the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go.

Where do you need to find courage? Courage to break the bonds of addiction, an unhealthy relationship, an eating disorder, whether bingeing or purging? Porn, pills, shopping or Netflix, did you know you need COURAGE to break the bonds of COMPARISON? Did you know that comparison is the THIEF of JOY? Why do you want to be someone else? Why do you think their life is so much better than yours? It's not, we ALL have our own struggles, no one is free of insecurities and struggle. The bible tells us, in this world you WILL have trouble, but take heart! I have OVERCOME the world.' Why do you think I always share the same verses with you? Because they're the ones I remember because of the struggles I face, they're my reminder of what God says and when you practice something over and over, repeat things over and over, you tend to remember them. They'll POP in your head when the devil tries to fill you with lies.

I found out last week I have autoimmune disease... go figure, I mean, why not, everything else in my body has been wonky, my entire body may as well fight itself... what the hell.... insert sarcasm here... I could be bitter, or angry, or question God, but why? He didn't cause it, it happened because of the hell my body went through the past few years that resulted in my hysterectomy.... so what, it will be what it will be. He will heal me. I will overcome. I am healthy, I am well. My positive affirmations at work.

So, back to the question at hand. Courage, where do you need it? What do you need to overcome? Courage is ONE STEP past your fear. Think of that, that thing you want, that thing you're SO afraid will leave you hurting or alone of vulnerable, THAT is the thing you need to release. Pray for courage to do what needs done, we don't have to do it on our own, God is here, He wants to help. LET HIM. Courage, Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge. Ask for them, believe your mountain will be moved and He WILL move it.

Three very specific miracles have happened in my life, two within the past three years. I've shared them before but I'll share the one again. When my brother got shot I hadn't talked to my dad in eight years, I loathed my step-monster and her family had excommunicated me because 25 years ago I told them they needed help. I had to fly to Florida, to stay in a house my step monsters family paid for, seeing them daily, having already forgiven them, but not forgetting how small they made me feel, how little I meant to them as a kid who just wanted my dad to be normal.... then this. Then she had to pull that trigger after Jim told her to run, she had to go and ruin everything for my brother. They both did, yes, but she didn't have to pull that trigger, dad may not have gotten sober, which would've been awful, but Jim would have his baseball career... but it did happen, we can't go back, but we can look at what DID happen... Jim did heal, dad DID get sober and divorced, he also got SAVED, he healed his relationship with his son, gave his life to Christ and has been determined every second since to be the man God wants him to be. Can you imagine if I hadn't called my pastor the SECOND I got the call? Can you imagine if I'd flown to Florida without God at my side, leading and guiding me the whole way? Can you imagine facing my dad for the first time in almost a decade.... facing HER, knowing all she took from my brother, facing them, who treated me like garbage as a kid.... facing my brother knowing how tragically this would change his career path, knowing his life, his future would NEVER be the same... having to have the 'God can bring good from this' chat... not what an 18 year old wants to hear after being shot by his parents, but he took it, we prayed through it, we made it, three years later we're stronger. My dad and brother will be here in a week to celebrate my birthday and Father's Day, the first time I've celebrated Father's Day with my dad ever.... THAT is a miracle only God can perform...

So, no matter your struggle, think of Jim, my brother, let him inspire you to give your life to God. He will tell you he never lost faith, through all of it, he knew God was always there, he got baptized this Spring, THAT MY FRIENDS IS JESUS.

You are NOT your circumstances, your past or ever your future, you are who you CHOOSE to be today, in this moment. And if you need the courage to take one step forward, get your bible out, listen to a podcast, listen to my video, pray, SEARCH and don't stop until you hear what you need to hear and feel the encouragement you need to feel.

COURAGE IS ONE STEP PAST YOUR FEAR. 'I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who gives me strength.' But sometimes, ok, most times, we need courage to get there, we need courage to overcome the fear of judgement, or failure, because I'm here to tell you, when you start to work towards your purpose, YOU WILL BE JUDGED, YOU WILL FAIL. But if you have faith, keep practicing courage in those little daily habits, you will overcome, you will look fear in the face and find the COURAGE you need to kick it in the nuts!

What do you need to be courageous in today? Walk away from an abusive relationship, walk away from a job that takes you from family because the money is good, walk away from food that doesn't fuel you, from friends who lead you astray. Find the COURAGE to be your own hero, because no one can choose for you. Think of your kids, do you want them to be courageous? To live their dream, in healthy relationships, doing the right things, treating people kindly? Of course you do, so set the standard, set the example. BE THE CHANGE.

C.O.U.R.A.G.E. mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.

YOU CAN.