Courage Off the Beaten Path
Recently, we took our family on a long hike when it began to rain.
And not the refreshing sprinkle. More like a downpour, making every step treacherous on a mountainside with narrow footing. I thought it best to put the camera and lens away, but somehow in the shuffle, the expensive lens rolled off the trail and down beyond the cliffs.
I turned around in time to see my spouse launch off the side of the mountain to rescue the fallen lens. We stood in wet silence, awaiting his return. After a while, he made his way back up, lens in hand.
As we navigated our way through, I thought, Isn’t this what we need more of? Courage. Courage to jump off the side of the mountain, so to speak, if that’s what God calls us to do. To trust that He can get us back on track.
Psalm 112
Psalm 112:6-7 says, “For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries” (ESV).
Too often I feel just the opposite of what the Scripture tells me I am. I need to know that when I’m called to jump off the known path into what I cannot see, God will be there. And for a girl who is in the literal business of receiving rejections regularly, this passage is especially helpful.
Courage Off the Beaten Path
How do you find the courage to take the necessary leap, especially if you know bad news is a possibility? Our psalmist gives us insight:
You keep walking in the dark, through the mess, trusting the Lord to bring you to where He needs you to be. I find it helpful to go a step further and personalize these verses, such as, "My heart is steady; therefore, I will not be afraid," and I write these words out. I see them throughout the day, again and again, and I pray that God will make His Word a reality in my life.
Most of the time, the trail is not a flat paved highway with benches. Fortitude is needed. The Bible promises it is yours, as you trust God to give you the courage to follow Him completely, on and off the beaten path.
Continued Encouragement
Did you enjoy today's Daily Delight, "Off the Beaten Path"? Find more encouragement from Cheri here!Want more? Check out The Daughter of Delight Podcast here!
Cheri Strange encourages women to live lives that yearn for God in all that they do. Founder of SheYearns Ministries to that end, Cheri engages women in stirring more desire for God into their everyday lives, from the theological to the practical get-the-day-done spectrum. She is also a YouVersion content partner, holds a Ph.D., is a requested conference speaker, and an award-winning author, releasing her newest book early 2022.