TAKE Courage

Daily, I TAKE a good number of vitamins and supplements. I also TAKE myself to the Fitness area to stretch and make use of the equipment there. That’s for this “young body”, but what do I TAKE for my mental and soul well-being? This blog was spurred on when I responded to a friend’s private FB message.

She said: “I would appreciate any positive prayers or scripture verses you could send my way.” This sweet gal has gone through some very rough times, so I was quick to get behind my imaginary pulpit again. I typed these words to encourage her, and, feel free to call them your own if you can use them, too!
I capitalized the word TAKE in my first paragraph. I was on purpose. TAKE these words from Psalm 31:24 as being spoken directly to you! I’m TAKING them, too!

“Be strong and let your heart TAKE courage; all you who wait for the Lord.” It doesn’t say have courage; it says TAKE courage – like “TAKE your medicine!” In this case – TAKE Christ! Keep on keeping company with Christ and ask Him to TAKE your fears and to embolden your courage. Ahh! Keeping company with Christ.

That is the “sweet spot”. I also call it “My Peace Zone” – thus the name of my website: MyPeaceZone.com
It may rather be a season than a spot, but it’s holding the hand of the Hope-Giver and Peace-Provider, knowing that God never wastes “spots” or “seasons”.

Life is unpredictable. One day we can be firing on all cylinders — enthusiastic, energetic, hope-filled and everything’s going our way! Give it another day or two, and we’ve bottomed out, weary from the stress, lack-luster in our faith and our engine has stalled completely.

But hold on! On those days, we quickly run to that SWEET SPOT of “being strong and TAKING courage — holding on tightly to the Sweet Spot-Maker.

The “sweet spot” is often the middle spot – between the good times rolling and waiting while the storms pass over. The eye of the storm – so to speak. I’ve found that spot is hanging out with Jesus. When I’m traveling on long open roads (which I do often), I look forward to the next Rest Area where I can hit the restrooms, stretch my legs, and even, if need be, sit in my car and shut my eyes for a few minutes. It’s amazing how rejuvenated I can feel after the sweet spot – the rest stop!

And in this middle place of working through something in our lives — in the space between moving courageously and waiting for something to change— we can lose our gumption to function. Hope gets buried beneath 50 layers of defeated thinking, and we’re sure we’re making all the wrong moves. But DON’T lose hope. You could be on the brink of a miracle.

I don’t know the details of your circumstances or situation, but if you are calling on God for help this day, please hear this: Keep on keeping on. You’ve got this. TAKE courage, dear ones; the fight is not over. You have not lost. You’ve made it to the Sweet Spot, where the waters are about to part. Stand firm in the Sweet Spot and in the Peace Zone and TAKE courage!