Be Strong. Who me?

My sister says I shouldn’t tell people that I used to be shy. She says no one would believe me. But it’s true. Sometimes I still feel that old insecurity raise its ugly head.  This week I’ve had to revisit the “be strong” sections of my Bible because I wasn’t feeling too strong. Psychologists say that each individual has a crisis response of “fight or flight.” Well, I’ll pick flight as a first response in every time of crisis. And I recently had that run away feeling that I had to conquer. I just don’t want to stand strong. I want to hide. I don’t want to charge hell with a water pistol. I want God to not place me in those threatening situations. I don’t want to grow in Christ. I want to stay where I am. Yes, I’m a whiner. Yes, I like to be a protected princess. But that’s not reality. That’s not the Christian life. And that’s not where God wants me to be. He wants to show me victory; to do that I have to be in the fight.

My go to places for the strength pep talk is Deuteronomy 31:7, Joshua 1:6-9, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Ephesians 6:10-19, and Matthew 28:16-20. 

In Deut. 31:6 Moses tells the people this from God, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread. For it is the Lord Your God who goes with you He will not leave you or forsake you.” It’s time to cowboy up and git-er-done. It’s time for me to overcome. This should inspire me. But..

I should step up to the challenge. I’m still not feeling it.

In Josh. 1:6 God Himself came to Joshua with this discourse on bravery: “Be strong and courageous”, verse 7-“Be strong and courageous”, verse 9 – “Be strong and courageous.” That was 3 times God reminded Joshua that there was no room for flighters. In each instance God reassured Joshua that He and His word would be there through all of the conflicts before him. And God kept His word to Joshua. Did he always have an easy time? No. Was God faithful? Yes. Did God give him strength? Yes. Did he win? Yes. Would God do this for me? Yes.

I’m feeling a little stronger.

In 1 Cor. 16:13 Paul said, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” The act like men part doesn’t let Princess Jan off the hook. This refers to being prepared and armored as a soldier for battle. My Women’s Study Bible says it like this, “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”

OK, I’m putting my armor on.

In Eph. 6:10-19 Paul explains the armor that Christians should wear in this life. Before that he says, “finally brethren (and sisteren) be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm.”

I’m feeling strong now. I'm ready to face the circumstances that make me want to run but I still need a little somethin/somethin.

Matt. 28:16-20 says, “But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated.  When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful (They were a little scared to be on their own. I know the feeling.) And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority and power has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go  and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always (Ah, here’s what I needed.) even to the end of the age.’ ” 

Flight is not an option. Thankfully I will never face insecure situations alone.

Jesus is with me.

 He is before me,

Behind me,

Beside me,

Over me,

Under me,

Around me,

And in me,

Forever.

I’m ready.

Hand me a water pistol.