I AM EMBRACING COURAGE

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Quitting is NOT an option!

Whew! If I even tried to tell you about the week that I’ve had, I don’t think you’d believe it friends! What I can say, in a nutshell, is what should have been a very thrilling and exciting time put me in a place of anxiety and depression that I’ve not been to in quite a long time. I actually don’t think I ever saw myself returning to this place, I’d prepared for almost every possible outcome… except the one I found myself in. And there were many moments where I wanted to crawl under my blanket, burry my head in my pillows and just run away from all of it. I was ready to just be done.

Have you ever been there, friend? Have you ever found yourself just so emotionally and mentally, even physically exhausted by a tumultuous situation that you don’t want to deal with things anymore? Now, let me be clear. I have never been so down that I thought the world would be better off without me, or that I wanted to harm myself or anyone else. If you find yourself feeling that way, then I want you to reach out to someone to talk about that IMMEDIATELY. You are loved and desired, and the world is NOT better off without you, ok? I want you here and I need your energy to help me get through! But I have wanted to hide or run away or even quit sometimes. Sometimes I’ve felt like escape is easier than facing the constant blows. Sometimes, I’m not brave enough for the battle.

Are you brave enough for the battle? Let me tell you something. YOU ARE. Even when you don’t feel like you are, I promise, that’s just self-doubt. You most definitely have it in you to get the job done and to chase your dreams! You have to give Fear it’s moment and respect what it’s trying to show you, but Embracing Courage is something I know you have the power to do. How? Let’s affirm!

Affirmation 1: I am Embracing Courage. What is courage? Courage is the ability to do something that frightens you. It is strength in the face of pain or grief. We are all born with that ability inside of us. We just have to access it. It is not the absence of fear. We all get scared sometimes. It’s taking that fear and not letting it control you. Fear is a protective emotion. It’s designed to keep you out of harm’s way. But fear can sometimes overreact and see danger in the unknown. But that’s just it, it’s unknown. so fear might be an appropriate response when you know more, but it’s not good to just be afraid of what you can’t see. Where is your faith, friend? Access it!

Affirmation 2: Quitting is NOT an option. I’m reminded of something I told my circle recently about a journey I was preparing to take. I told them that I chose them for my circle because I knew they wouldn’t let me quit. They’d let me cry, and vent, and even have a drink if I needed one. But they were going to dust me off and put me back on the horse because Quitting is NOT an option. Surround yourself with people who believe in you even when you start to doubt yourself and can say the things you need to hear and do the things you need to do to keep you in the game. Don’t Quit!

Affirmation 3: My steps are ordered. I am a firm believer that God is guiding every step I take, because I allow him to. I seek Him diligently and allow His will to go before mine. That’s when I know it’s real. When I’m afraid, yet compelled to take a course of action, I know I’m moving in accordance to His will for my life. And I trust that when He’s ordering my steps that He’s coming along for the journey! He’s not gonna leave me or forsake me! So I’m gonna ease on down this road… sometimes shaking in my boots… but I’m going to press forward. And I encourage you to do the same!

Friends, thanks for being here! Thanks for being my rocks, even though you don’t know it. I am intentional with who I surround myself with and that means you, too! Everyone has a purpose and part of yours is being part of mine. My hope for you today is that you Embrace Courage, and face those fears! Face those obstacles, those backbiters, those secret tellers, those downtrodden souls who are lashing out and making you their target. Embrace your journey and those taking it with you. Fight for your right to live as you see fit and don’t let anyone or anything keep you down. I love you, and I’m always rooting for you! I hope you’re rooting for me, too. Keep conquering daily!