(in)courage

Courage or encourage … I don’t know which. Today, courage looks to me like stepping into what God is calling me to do without excuse and ignoring all the things that satan is saying and doing to try to keep me from it. Courage is knowing that God is bigger than anything He is calling me to do. That’s exactly it. It is attacking the “to do” list, loving my kids, loving and supporting my husband and being intentional. It’s a big tall intimidating laundry list. It is ignoring the bigness and stepping out and doing just one thing … one step at a time … and then another and then another until it is a habit or the task is accomplished, then onto the next thing. It is remembering the words of the Great Encourager … I am “equipped for every good thing” (2 Timothy 3:17), my “gifts and calling are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29), tell your children of my greatness and faithfulness (Deut. 6:7, 11:19), train up my children (Prov. 22:6), “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Deut. 31:6, 31:8, Josh. 1:5, Heb. 13:5) … “trust in Me” (Psalm 56:4, John 14:1, Rom. 9:33).

That is where I am today. Standing on an edge and summoning up the courage, and energy and strength to just jump … freefall and enjoy all that God is calling for me, for us to do … the joy, the growing pains, ignoring the fear and trusting the One who is calling us to close our eyes and have childlike faith and jump … and then, watch in joy, amazement and wonder to see and live in just exactly what He IS going to do.

Yep, that is courage!
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I am excited and inspired. One of my most favorite writers, Ann @ A Holy Experience on the team of writers who have joined to create (in)courage me . An inspiring new website that I am already enjoying. To celebrate the launch they’ve asked bloggers to write a little something about courage or encouragement and share, so that is what I did. Head on over and enjoy a little (in)couragement.

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From my handy “Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary”

COURAGE: Bravery; intrepidity (fearlessness; undaunted courage or boldness); that quality of mind which enables men to encounter danger and difficulties with firmness, or without fear or depression of spirits; valor; boldness; resolution.

COURAGEOUS: Brave, bold, daring; intrepid (literally, not trembling or shaking with fear; hence, fearless; bold, brave); hardy to encounter difficulties and dangers; adventurous; enterprising.

ENCOURAGE: To give courage to; to give or increase confidence of success; to inspire with courage, spirit, or strength of mind; to embolden; to animate; to incite; to inspirit (to infuse or excite spirit in; to give new life to; to invigorate).