A long-prayed-for dream is coming true, and the more real it becomes, the more terrified I am. I didn’t know it took courage to receive the good gifts too.
Favorite verses like “Take Heart!” always bring hardship to my mind. I associate bravery with holding fast when everything goes wrong. So I’ve been surprised to also feel fear when things are going very right. But I shouldn’t be.
The call to courage has come to many people receiving long-prayed-for good gifts.
Moses needed assurance when God sent him to set His people free.
Israel lost their fight with fear when God gave them the go-ahead to enter the promised land.
Saul hid the day he was anointed king.
Mary required the words “Do not be afraid” when an angel told her she was going to carry and raise the Messiah, the son of God.
Receiving the good gifts takes courage too. It always has. And that makes sense in context.
It’s a risk to receive and share beautiful things in a broken world.
It’s a risk to receive and share beautiful things in a broken world. Things get lost and broken and misunderstood and tainted here – even the best things. We’re afraid of the good gifts because of all the ways we might hurt as we carry them. Goodness has a way of showing us how vulnerable we are.
So, we need courage to take up the challenges that come with even the very best blessings.
Praise the Lord, we find courage to receive the good gifts the same way we find courage to persist in the hardest circumstances. We find it in Him.
“I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:12-13
May we abound, may we face plenty, in His strength and not our own!
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Bethany, I’ve never thought of it like this, but I think you’re on to something. I wonder if the courage you speak of comes more easily when we learn to hold those good gifts loosely? Whatever the case, fear not, friend! God has blessed you out of the fullness of His love and will continue to do so, come what may. 🙂
Thanks for your encouragement, Lois! 🙂 Holding things loosely is so wise, whether they’re hopes or good gifts or challenges.
💎Indeed!
Bethany. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no fickleness, neither shadow of turning. good. James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 3:15,17.
Emma
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