It's Brave to Look for Blessings in Battles
Updated: Jan 15, 2020
By Mim
God's Brave Women - Mim's Story
Happy 2020! Here we are at the start of another year ladies. Does the new year fill you with dread, the post-Christmas blues, or excitement for the coming year?
I personally love the start of a new year — twelve months stretching out vast; a blank canvas of possibilities! All those unknowns and potential adventures yet to be undertaken.
Looking to the future, however, hasn't always filled me with excitement. In fact, rather the opposite. For as long as I've been a Christian I had looked at the Proverbs 31 woman with confusion and a tinge of envy – “She laughs without fear of the future." (Proverbs 31:25)
What kind of person does that? Didn't she know what kind of awful experiences could befall her in the future? Job losses, financial insecurity, ill health, unexpected bereavements…
Have you ever heard the saying that "worry is like a rocking chair? It gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere?" It's rather like running to stand still don't you think? You are exhausted, but have remained stationary, using all that energy to have gone nowhere.
The last couple of years have been a journey for me, as I have learnt (and failed) to live and navigate life, not in my own strength, but rather with God and in His strength. During this time God has impressed upon me time and again "The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still." (Exodus 14:14)
For me personally, this has meant not fighting my own mind or wrestling my anxious thoughts, but rather, through soaking in the presence of God, allowing Him to quiet my mind and give me peace. Is it always easy? Nope. Do my anxious thoughts still sometimes escalate? Yes.
"During this time God has impressed upon me time and again "The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still." (Exodus 14:14) For me personally, this has meant not fighting my own mind or wrestling my anxious thoughts, but rather, through soaking in the presence of God, allowing Him to quiet my mind and give me peace."
For me personally, this has meant not fighting my own mind or wrestling my anxious thoughts, but rather, through soaking in the presence of God, allowing Him to quiet my mind and give me peace.
The very start of this year has been challenging for me for a couple of reasons. One of those reasons is that a close relative who had been feeling unwell for a few months was admitted to hospital. The admission wasn't unexpected. In fact, it was quite the opposite, and I was relieved we got through Christmas at least, unscathed.
The day of 3rd January started like any other. I had been to work, I was excited to start a fitness boot camp the following morning, and I had told myself 2020 was going to be a great year. I settled down in the evening under a throw, lit a few candles and finished reading day three of 'bible in one year' on You Version. It was then that I received a phone call asking if I could take my relative to the hospital.
As it happens, day four of my devotion plan came with a timely reminder quoting Pastor Rick Warren. I don't know if like me, you have previously been under the impression that positive and negative experiences exist in isolation to each other? Warren rather offered the opinion that both blessings and battles can co-exist at the same time. This was something I took hold of in that moment, and I'm sharing today to encourage anyone else who might need it as well.
"It can take bravery to walk into an unknown situation, as well as walking forward knowing battles and hard times lie ahead."
It can take bravery to walk into an unknown situation, as well as walking forward knowing battles and hard times lie ahead. Together, let's expect the glimmer of hope of blessings despite the darkness we might find ourselves in during hard times. As Christians we don't walk alone. Rather we are accompanied by a special friend who walks beside us, shoulder to shoulder.
So here at the start of 2020, I pray that whatever situations may come your way this year, you know you don't need to face life alone. May we all step into the new year boldly in hope, knowing that God will never leave us or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
Brave Woman Manifesto
Make sure to check back next week as another courageous Sister shares her story!
And by the way...
You are Brave!
No matter what you are facing, God has made you in His image, which means you are full of His strength and power. I would love to connect with you more and give you a FREE gift - the BRAVE WOMAN MANIFESTO: Five Things to Tell Yourself When Life Gets Hard. Click HERE to sign up for my monthly newsletter and you’ll receive the FREE Manifesto, as well as recent blog posts, updated resources and personal details delivered only to my lovely email tribe.
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About Mim
Mim hails from the North of England. She enjoys writing, reading and looking for new adventures! In her down-time you can usually find Mim at the gym or hanging out with friends over coffee. In January 2019 Mim co-launched Print Collective; a place for Christians to explore sharing their faith creatively. You can check them out on Instagram @print.collective or online at www.printcollective.org.