“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”  Anais Nin

Picture this. You are standing at the end of a season entering into the divine unknown. The leap required is yours to make. You pause, assessing your current position versus your vision, your resources versus what’s needed, your know-how versus the critic that knows more.

Everything in you feels weaker than a newborn foal learning to stand. What gives you strength? Your heart is broken from the season before. What brings you comfort? And the intimidating giants in front of you loom larger than God. What gives you confidence to move toward them? 

Courage.

Courage is resisting fear and facing our pain. Courage is starting again. Courage is asking for forgiveness. Courage is giving it. Courage is moving on and not looking back. Courage is becoming more than we are. Courage is turning off the critic and accepting all the great things that are me. Courage is sharing my weakness and being seen for who I truly am. Courage is to lead. Courage is seeing the gap between where I am now, the dreams in my heart and taking the first step in their direction. Courage is to laugh. Courage is admitting the truth and believing in The Truth. Courage is risking, attempting and doing. Courage is staying silent and speaking up. Courage is living by faith, believing beyond the odds. Courage is raising our children. Courage is choosing joy in a season of sorrow. Courage is in the pursuit, not the arriving. Courage is always choosing love. Courage is staying the process toward wholeness. Courage is caring for another in the midst of your own storm. Courage lives beyond surviving into abundance. Courage is letting go of the why’s to face what now. Courage is not a feeling, more than it’s a choosing and doing.

The truth is, we have more courage than we know. Review your life, take note of the small and the large moments you chose the courageous way. As you see the tangible evidence throughout your journey, acknowledge you are courageous and as you do, know you will choose courage again and again. We just may never feel it. 

Today, declare over yourself again. “I am a person of great courage.” Now, may the blessing of this poem meet you as you go and be encouraged by The Word of promise from God this day and for every day to come.

“May Light always surround you;
Hope kindle and rebound you.
May your Hurts turn to Healing;
Your Heart embrace Feeling.
May Wounds become Wisdom;
Every Kindness a Prism.
May Laughter infect you;
Your Passion resurrect you.
May Goodness inspire
Your Deepest Desires.
Through all that you Reach For,
May your arms Never Tire.” – D, Simone

“But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” Hebrews 10:39

“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.”

Isaiah 41:10

Trust and be fierce,

Maggie