Courage

Last night, I prayed to God for the strength to devote my all to Him. I prayed for Him to rid me of my addiction to running, and that I would live by my words. I prayed for the courage to let go. My friend recently introduced me to the song "Courageous" by the Casting Crowns. My favorite part of the song is as follows: 

Where are you, men of courage?
You were made for so much more
Let the pounding of our hearts cry
We will serve the Lord

We were made to be courageous
And we're taking back the fight
We were made to be courageous
And it starts with us tonight

The only way we'll ever stand
Is on our knees with lifted hands
Make us courageous
Lord, make us courageous

This song helps me to understand my battle with confidence and courage a lot more. God made us to be men and woman of courage. That we would stand amongst all people and proclaim God as our Lord and savior. That we would be willing and able to cast all things aside to walk in the light of His word. He created us in an image of courage to serve Him. When I choose to lose confidence or take back control of my life when I feel that it is starting to falter, I give up my courage as well. I begin to live in fear and worry. I forget my purpose of creation. By definition courage means two things: 1. the ability to do something that frightens one; 2. strength in the face of pain or grief. The second definition, I think, has a lot to do with my current battle of faith. When I am faced with pain or grief, I run. Even though I'm not running as far away as I used to, I still run from God. I am scared to face Him and show Him my disappointments, anxieties, and troubles. More so, because once I show Him, that means I have to show it to my biggest competition...me. Nobody likes to admit failure. Nobody likes to accept defeat. Which is why we take things into our own hands to fix them. Only that just reeks selfishness and stubbornness. Not courage. It takes more courage to get down on your hands and knees and plea for help than to just block it out of memory or fix it on your own. But God wants us to plea. He wants us to have the courage to give Him all of our burdens, fears, and anxieties. He wants us to have the courage to serve Him with our whole selves, not just pieces of us. So, join me today in a walk of courage. Get on your knees, lift your hands, and pray for courage. Pray to God that He will be your rock. Pray that you can be the man/woman that God created you to be.