I’m reading Live Original by Sadie Robertson and in it she writes about different topics that many teens face now-a-days. She used a certain example to explain how you can stop garbage from entering your thoughts. I love how she used it, but it also struck me as standing up for yourself. She talked about how a girl used very bad language in front of her. Something one might say if he hit his toe or his head. She said she couldn’t stop the girl from saying those things, but she could stop herself from hearing them. Because she knew what she heard, was bound to come out at some point. So she asked the girl to stop using that kind of language around her. Now that had to take courage!

How many of us have the courage to say something like that to someone else. We’re all thinking it, but we’re scared to say it. I know I am. I know I should, because like she said, what comes in, is bound to come out at some point. Standing up for yourself takes courage and that is something I need at times like that. And I’m sure a lot of you need it to.

Driving to Youth Bible Study the other night, listening to the radio, I heard a speaker talk about how the wrong person is often the right person. He talked about how a couple called to lead a church group often tells them selves, “We’re not the right people for this, someone else can do it”. He went on to say why the wrong person is often the right person.

You see, telling yourself you’re not the right person for something is often times a sign of fear. Taking the responsibility to lead a church group takes courage. I’ve seen a lot of couples in need of courage when something like this is asked of them. And I’m sure a lot of you have found yourself in that situation.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 ESV

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV

Taking courage is often nerve wrecking, it’s often something you don’t want to do. In most cases, life would be a lot easier if you would sit back and roll with it. But the problem is, would it be as rewarding? Taking courage will leave you feeling strong and save you from something you might regret later. As they say, “It’s not what you did that you’ll regret, it’s what you didn’t do”.

One of my favorite Bible verse is,

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up on wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 KJV

It comforts me when I get tired or discouraged. And it will comfort me when I’m scared, when I’m afraid to be courageous. Because God will never leave me, He will help when I am weak. He will help us be courageous.