Persevering, when one more step seems impossible, allows you to overcome insecurity and rely on God’s stability.
Boys will be boys. Running, jumping, playing hard and never giving up. Taking one more step is a huge part of their vocabulary because quitting is not an option. Nighttime brought this perseverance to a head over and over.
“We’re not tired” was the familiar chant my sons began as soon as they heard the word bedtime. Heads could be nodding, dipping deep into their chest and both boys would insist it couldn’t possibly be bedtime. One more drink of water, one more story, one more goodnight kiss and one more step marked the nighttime ritual.
My sons believed one more step was possible even when this mom was exhausted from the day. They didn’t think twice about success because for the most part, insecurity was not part of their vocabulary. They were safe in the knowledge of parents that loved and cared for them. My sons were oblivious to the behind the scenes mess that we see as adults.
As we grow older, our life experiences show us a piece of ourselves where life becomes harder rather than easier. When taking one more step, we pause instead of moving forward securely in who we are. Impossible overtakes possible because we allow fear to squelch our perseverance. We focus on insecurity and back ourselves into a corner because we forget we are brave.
As children we walk boldly into next steps because we don’t know all the ins and outs. But as adults, our life experience teaches us that taking one more step requires careful thought and planning. We focus more on the “what ifs” forgetting that letting go to God will provide all we need.
[Tweet “God takes our “whys, whats and how to’s” and refines them with His strength. “]
God continues to take my “whys, whats and how to’s” and refines them with His strength and understanding. When I take a step forward and remember that brave faith is as simple as saying “yes”, God shapes my “yes” into His own. My insecurities fall away and God’s stability fills in the gaps. Forward movement comes when I persevere in my “yes” and trust God to do what He does best.
Several weeks ago, I shared a brave faith moment. God taught me that persevering, when one more step seems impossible, allows me to overcome my insecurity and rely on God’s stability. Taking this step is a brave faith moment. It is God stepping in when stepping out is scary. We put our hearts out there and God gently cups it in the palms of His Hands and safely surrounds it with His protection.
[Tweet “When taking one more step seems impossible, God erases our insecurity with His stability. “]
God made us for more. He created us with purpose and carefully designed a life plan for each of us. When God calls us to step into the unknown, He cradles our uncertainty with His strength. There is nothing impossible when we align ourselves with God.
The Lord makes firm the steps
of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24
Let us walk with firm steps as we delight in the Lord who makes all things new. Hold tight to His Hand secure in the knowledge that He is our possible when life hands us impossible.
With love,
You would think as you grow older you would become more secure, but I’ve found the exact opposite to be true. I think what we’re losing is the “earthly” security we’ve held onto for so long. As we grow both in age and faith, may we learn to find our security in Him, the only true security to be found! Great message today, my friend!
Growing older has advantages but being more secure is not always one of them for me. I love how you shared that we lose earthly security but in its place we gain heavenly security in God. That is a great addition to this message.
I love that God takes those ‘whys, whats and how to’s’ and gentle pulls us close to Himself, no matter how desperate we are when we come to Him with our stuff.
The refiner’s fire, indeed …
God loves to pull us close no matter what. Being in his arms is exactly where I want to be. May we let God refine and renew us in each of our daily challenges. Blessed you joined me here today.
Mary, this is so beautiful. And this here?
“When God calls us to step into the unknown, He cradles our uncertainty with His strength. There is nothing impossible when we align ourselves with God.”
This spoke right to where I am with a fearful thing right now. I need to remember that He strengthens me when I trust Him with my uncertainty. I love that He holds us close when we trust in Him.
That picture of your boys is priceless!
It seems we all experience times where we are challenged and fear becomes our default. God is the strength we need and how easy would it be if we remembered that first?
I will be praying for you as you face your own challenge. God honors us when we turn to Him in faith. It sounds easier that it is but I ma praying for the BIG faith right now. And, I love the sweet picture of my sons. 🙂
Yes, with God all things are possible when in alignment with Him! I can say these words, and it is action that solidifies them. Very timely as just was discussing with my journal today that it is the hard thing that is the calling and the faith teacher. It’s taking steps of not knowing and trusting. I tend to be one who measures by outcomes, and letting go and persevering regardless if the outcome is what I want, but the Spirit still calling me to do, is a learning I am in! Thanks for you words today!
It sounds like we are similar in how we attack the unknown. I can say the right words but don’t always follow through in what this should like. I also measure by solutions because I am a fixer and I feel success when the outcome is taken care of. I pray we both learn to align ourselves with the great fixer upper. He will always steer us in the right direction. Thank you for being here.
Beautiful encouragement Mary! Thank you! (P.S. I love that sweet pic of your boys. So cute!)
Thank you Kristine! Love that you stopped by. Hoping you are having a wonderful time in Cincinnati!
Mary,
I really needed this. For the most part I’ve been doing okay with this recuperation, but today after a friend had to cancel on coming to take me out to get coffee because she was sick, I simply said to God, “I can’t take one more day of this – I’m going to climb the walls!” To say I have cabin fever is an understatement, but every time I’ve come to that point where I just don’t think I can take another step, He grabs hold of my hand and urges me on…and in doing so I find that in HIS strength I can do this. Right there with you girl!
Blessings,
Bev xx
I can imagine the frustration you must have felt. I pray your cabin fever subsides and you are blessed with peace in this time of recuperation. May we both grab God’s hand when we feel we can’t take one more step. He will lead us ever closer to Him. Sending you love and hugs!
Thanks for this encouragement, Mary. I often want to see the whole path ahead- to know where it is going and how it will turn out- when God just wants us to take the next step and trust him to lead us. It’s good to remember that he makes our steps firm and that, whatever uncertainty we face, we are secure in him.
I love when you stop by. You are so encouraging and bring a fresh perspective. I pray you feel God’s hand in any of your own decisions and challenges. God is the keeper of our steps and He makes a way when we see none.
Yes, Mary, I’m longing to lean into that confidence and to persevere, even when that “one more step” is into something new or “bigger than me.” Thanks for sticking with this subject of perseverance. It’s one that I can’t seem to get enough of! We all have so much growing to do!
I think the topic of perseverance is endless. We each have different life experiences but somehow we can connect with how we worked through challenges using perseverance. I see you doing it all the time Michele. You have grown so much as a writer and you bravely share with openness and vulnerability. You are such a gift.