Trust God for Courage for Your Journey - Part 2

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

The Oxford Dictionary describes courage as the “ability to do something that frightens one.” It has also been defined as “the ability to undertake an overwhelming difficulty or pain despite the eminent and unavoidable presence of fear”. Women in our Christian Women at Work Bible Study recently defined it as “feeling the fear but doing it anyway,” “working in spite of the fear,” “stepping up to the challenge,” and “leaning on God when afraid and then being able to do what we are afraid of.”

In the workplace, as in life, we are regularly confronted with situations which make us fearful or uncomfortable, and we need courage to deal with them. We are also regularly presented with opportunities that can make us fearful or uncomfortable as we consider the decision we need to make and what the outcome might look like. Perhaps you are afraid to do something, but you know you should. You may be afraid to speak up about something, but you know you should.

Courage is the step needed to move from inactivity to activity in a fearful situation.

What is it you feel you should be doing but need the courage to do it? Take a few moments to honestly answer this question. Trust God for the courage to take this step, and make time to review what He says in His Word.

Taking This to God in Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that gives us everything we need to know about every situation. Help us to always turn to Your Word first for wisdom, guidance and encouragement. Please help us to understand what it means to be courageous. You have told us to be courageous and therefore we know we can be, because of You. Thank You for Your faithfulness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Below are 14 bible verses about courage. Over the next few weeks, consider reading 3 or 4 a week and record what God wants you to know. There will be certain things which will “stand out” to your heart, soul and mind as you read and meditate on them. At the end of this month, record what God has revealed to you and what your next step will be.

14 Bible Verses about Courage:

1. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

2. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

3. The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.” (Deuteronomy 31:23)

4. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7)

5. “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)

6. “Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” (1 Chronicles 22:13)

7. David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished. (1 Chronicles 28:20)

8. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him.” (2 Chronicles 32:7)

9. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27)

10. “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)

11. “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 31:24)

12. “When I said, “My foot is slipping,” Your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy.” (Psalm 94:18-19)

13. “Apply your heart to instruction and your ears to words of knowledge.” (Proverbs 23:12)

14. “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Courage application: What is the next step for you in your journey with God? Be specific as you write it down.

May God richly bless you as you turn to Him for courage. Have a wonderful month as you dedicate time to review courage!

Bonny, Christian Women at Work

Expressing the Fruit of the Spirit at Work through the foundation of LOVE

We have been taking a closer look at how we can best express the Fruit of the Spirit at work over the past several months, and are now wrapping up this series with LOVE.

Love is a huge aspect to the Bible, and I was initially overwhelmed at the thought of how to make it relevant for us in the workplace, until I read this version of Galatians 5:22-23.

“But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-23 TPT)

The love in these verses is God’s love, which is to be the base, or foundation, from which all the other fruit of the Spirit are to be expressed through. Just as His love is the motivation for all He does for us, so is that love through us to be the same.

Similarly, we see in 1 Corinthians 13 how our actions are essentially empty without that foundation of love:

“So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.” (1 Corinthians 13:3)*

As Christian business women, we are to be motivated, and grounded, by His love, just as God is towards us.

You may wonder why I am discussing this last in this series on the Fruit of the Spirit. I often need to remind myself to keep the most important thing the most important thing, whether at home, or work. Making sure that all I am doing comes out of a motivation of love is worth a regular reminder, and I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit will bring that important truth to my mind every time I ask Him to.

As the Holy Spirit is a gift that we are given when we become His children, making sure we are remaining in close contact with Him will help us to ensure our foundation, and motivation, is His love. That way, His fruit will be expressed through our actions.

Love is best felt when it is seen in a variety of ways at work:

• Joy when sharing a victory

• Maintaining your peace and patience with a difficult client or supplier.

• Responding with kindness when you are upset or angry.

• Looking at and confirming the good in a staff person when doing their review, and delivering hard news with kindness.

• Faithfully serving your team and clients during a hard season.

• Keeping self control when you are pushed too far in a difficult conversation or situation.

Bringing this to God in Prayer

God, there are so many ways in which I forget that my every day motivation at work is to come from love. Your love to me, then expressed to those I work with. Would You reassure me of Your love on the days when I don't remember or feel it? Would You send Holy Spirit to remind me that I do not act alone, but as Your child, You are always with me to guide me and help me to respond in ways that both honor You and the ones I am serving. I acknowledge how much I need You, every moment of every day, and how grateful I am for Your constant love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

As we spend our days at work, serving and connecting with our coworkers, staff, and clients, may we continue to express His fruit - joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control - from the mindset and foundation of love.

Karla, Christian Women at Work

*Read the full passage here: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13&version=MSG

Proverbs at Work: Trust God for Courage for Your Journey - Part 1

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Where does your courage come from? As Christians, we know God gives us courage. However, how often do we think about that gift and its meaning in our everyday lives? Is there something in your life right now you believe you should do but do not feel you have the courage to take the next step? Perhaps it is starting a new project, looking for a new job, thinking about returning to school or talking to your boss about a new role.

Over the next few weeks, please take some reflection time to think about “Trusting God for Courage for Your Journey.” Essentially, take time for self-reflection. Sometimes, before we can improve in an area of our lives or take a needed “next step,” we need to understand it better from a personal perspective. Part 2 of “Trust God for Courage for Your Journey” will be about understanding courage better from God’s perspective.

Take time to answer the following five questions. Don’t rush through your answers, as an understanding of courage can be the next step you need to take in your faith journey. Find a quiet place and set aside adequate time (we know schedules can change, so plan the best you can!) to think about each question. Prayerfully ask God to give you the wisdom to understand courage and the importance of it in your walk with Him.

Taking This to God in Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, Your Word is rich with demonstrations of Your love and faithfulness. Forgive us if and when we take Your gifts of love and direction lightly and do not go deeply into our hearts and souls with an appreciation for them. Forgive us when we do not actively put them into place so we can take the next steps in our faith journey You have planned for us. Forgive us when we do not turn to You and Your Word for wisdom on how to deal with fearful situations. Every day, please give us an understanding of courage and teach us what we need to know. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Digging Deeper

Question #1: Courage is a word that we hear often. How would you define courage?

“Let us test and examine our ways and return to the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:40)

Question #2: On a scale of 1 to 10, how courageous would you say you are? Why did you give yourself that number?

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139: 23-24)

Question #3: What is something regarding work that interests you which you want to do but have yet to do?

“I considered my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies.” (Psalm 119:59)

Question #4: Regarding something you want to do you have not yet done, do you think it is a courage issue? If so, what specifically are you afraid of?

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:21)

Question #5: What do you think God wants you to know about this situation?

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)

May God richly bless you as you consider courage and its role in your faith journey. Have a wonderful time going deeper into your faith and learning about courage.

Bonny, Christian Women at Work