Shot of Courage #7

Many of our fears are tissue-paper thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them.     -Brendan Francis

Ahh. I don’t know about you, but I needed to hear a good quote like that today. What a  great reminder for something we so easily forget. Often our fears appear as if they are the tallest, most insurmountable mountain in front of us, when in reality they are just cobwebs; a single swipe would clear them all away. But either we think the mountain too high and never try to climb it, or we worry about rocks cascading down onto our heads. But really, I have often found this quote to be true! As soon as I have gathered enough courage to take that first step, I have found out my fears weren’t at all as scary and big as I’d imagined them to be.

I wonder if perhaps a certain shepherd boy named David once quivered in fear. I wonder if when he faced his mighty giant, a tremor went through his limbs, and a smelly mixture of leather and sweat met his nose when he lifted his sling to fire. Maybe for a moment his eyes were filled with the reflection of the giant in front of him, and all he could hear was his heart pounding in his ears. But closing his eyes, he lets the stone fly, and… a new sound! The sound of a mighty giant crashing to the earth, and a great cry of celebration all around him. The young David has triumphed in the name of his God over the giant who’s  shamelessly been pulling them around- like a girl dragging a rag doll behind her. But first, David had to pull back.

Whether you take a single courageous step, swipe away a cobweb, or simply pull back, I hope you’ll make your move this week. If you do, the shout of victory you hear echoing throughout the ancient pages of God’s Word might just be coming from your own voice. Sometimes, the smallest move can make the biggest difference.

P.S. I will be gone at a writer’s conference for a few days, so I’m afraid I won’t be able to post anything new until either Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, so check back then. Until then, keep fightin’ those fears! I pray you’ll have an awesome, fun, victory-filled week. Love you all!

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