Courage to Change

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

In the Bible we read the story of a man named Gideon. He was discouraged and had little self-respect. His family was extremely poor, and he was the least in his family. An angel appeared and called to him, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” (Judges 6:12 NLT). Gideon did not feel or look like a mighty hero. God was calling him to deliver his people from their enemies and Gideon felt inadequate in the face of this great task. God, however, chose him and simply said, “I will be with you.” (Judges 6:16 NLT) By the end of the story, Gideon was the mighty deliverer of his people that God had identified Him to be. 

Gideon’s first step toward success was finding the courage to change.  What in Gideon needed to change?  Gideon needed to see himself as God saw him – a mighty hero.

Many of us feel weak and think we are failures. We had problems with addiction. We made bad choices.  We’ve struggled to put our life back together again. Now in the sanity of our recovery we wonder how God could possibly care about people like us and give us a successful life.  Just like Gideon, we need to find the courage to change – the courage to see life, even our life, as God sees it. 

No matter what we need, God can and will supply it.  Our part is to trust God.  God is with us, and He will give us the strength and ability to overcome each difficulty we encounter.  Just like Gideon, our faith in God will grow and we will have the courage to change the things we can and the wisdom to know what to leave in God’s hands. 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.    (Isaiah 41:10 NIV, Philippians 4:13 NLT)

Prayer: Loving God, Help me to remember that You are with me as I face the challenges of each day.  When I feel distressed by circumstances remind me of the truth of Your Word that, “through Christ who gives me strength I can do everything that is required of me”.  Amen