Be bold, be strong

I don’t know about you, but sometimes a verse just keeps coming back again and again. I have received this verse as encouragement from multiple people at different times and it has always been when I needed it most. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isa. 41:10, NIV).

In recent weeks, I have received this in text messages, a prayer card, and the other day in a song. Those are God winks. I know some may say it’s a popular verse and one that everyone uses/references when someone is in trouble or hurting. These are not mere coincidences. I believe God brings people in our lives when we need them and He encourages them and guides them in ways they may not understand.

The song I mentioned? My friend said as she was taking her daughter to school, it kept weighing on her. Not a popular Christian song, but something she recalled from camp many years ago. She shared that she could not get it out of her head and knew she had to share it…and so she did. I played it and it immediately brought a smile to my face as the verse is repeated and to be bold, be strong, for the Lord our God is with you…yes He is.

I play my spiritual playlist everyday, sometimes multiple times a day. This song is now on my playlist and every time I hear it, not only do I smile, but I am reminded that no matter how hard things may seem, God is there to strengthen and help me and I will not be dismayed.

Today I pray that you find comfort in knowing that God is always with you-He does not leave you even when you do not seek Him. I pray that you be open to those put in your path to not only encourage you, but remind you not to fear or be dismayed. Finally, I pray that all of us that are struggling not isolate but lean on those friends I mentioned in my prior blog when you do not have the strength to pray, and when that strength returns, turn to prayer first.