Courage to Obey

My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as Thou wilt. Matthew 26: 39

Have you ever felt unsettled about pursuing a dream or opportunity? Did you feel that way because you were afraid or thought it was too much to handle? I also can relate. In the above passage, we see that Jesus shared our same feelings of desire for an alternative route. He yet chose to submit to the will of the Father. Through obedience, Jesus showed us how to put aside what we want for what God wants; because of this, we know and have the confidence that we can do all things through Christ, who gives us the strength (Philippians 4:13). We, like Jesus, can choose to lay aside our desires and allow Him to instruct us. His will is always the best way. The sooner we accept that, the better our lives will be. Our reliance on Him takes the guessing work out of the equation.

We can leave it up to God and follow His leading when prompted. It is freeing to know that we don't have to overthink a thing! For many years I struggled with the spirit of fear, and it kept me bound. God revealed that I was choosing to place trust in myself and basing my worth on other people's perceptions of me instead of who He said I was. He exposed the spirit of fear in me and set me free from fear! After which, I experienced a more profound dependence on Him and began to look at myself through Him. I am not saying that the opportunities to fear disappeared; however, that my focus shifted. Terri Savelle Foy often says, "what you focus on, you become." Meaning, if we allow ourselves to focus on our inadequacies and the enemy's lies, we will manifest actions that coincide with what we have focused on and believed. Instead of thinking about all the negative things, we must think about the things that are lovely and pure and of good report (Philippians4:8). Not only that, but we also speak the Word of God over our lives. When negative and defeating thoughts come, we must speak the Word. Focus on who God says you are over not anyone else.

To focus on who God says you are, you must know who He says you are. I have included a few scriptures at the end of this article for you to start. Remember that what we focus on, we bring about (Terri Savelle Foy). The more we renew our minds through God's Word, the more we will transform into being more like Him. Transformation comes as a result of a renewed mind (Romans 12:27). When our minds are renewed, we will know what God's good and acceptable will is. Knowing His will, we will say as Jesus did, not my will, but Your will be done! Because Jesus knew the will of the Father, He had the courage to follow through with dying for the world's sins. At the point of knowing who we are in Christ, we find freedom and assurance to be who he has made us.

Prayer

Gracious Father, it is my prayer that you give each of us a hunger and thirst for You. Help us discern Your will in each area of our lives and give us the courage to live it out with boldness. Search our hearts and remove any doubts, fears, and lies in us.

We look forward to moving forward in peace and assurance in our hearts that the plans you have for us will come to pass in Jesus name! Amen.