It’s no secret that we are at war and that the enemy has raised the stakes. We see this in Charlie Kirk’s assassination when all he was doing was proclaiming truth. I’m sure, just like me, many of you are facing unwanted challenges in this season. John 16:33 tells us, In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
If you’re wondering how to be courageous in life, you’re in the right place. I wrote these points down from a recent Charlie Shamp teaching from Destiny Encounters International that felt so much like a blueprint for standing in faith in this season. I thought to share them with you all, hoping that it encourages you to walk in courageous faith, to stand when you have done all you can do, and to wait on God.
- Seek God first, above all things, and prioritize His will. See Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
- Pray with faith, not with doubt. See Mark 11:24: Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
- Pray and fast as it breaks strongholds. See Matthew 17:21: However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.
- Repent of sin and decide not to go back to sinning. Repenting is different to confessing. Repenting means turning from your ways and walking in the opposite direction.
- Decree restoration and declare the word of God. See Job 22:28: You will also declare a thing, And it will be established for you; So light will shine on your ways.
- Practice generosity. Whatever is in your hand that is not a need is a seed. See Proverbs 11:24-25: Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything. The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
- Release forgiveness no matter what someone has done to you. Offense will bind you in a bitter and resentful heart. Tear out that root. See Mark 11:25: But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.
- Stand on the promises of God’s Word. If God said it, believe it. Do not listen to negativity that doesn’t line up with the word of God. Listen to the fact that you are a new creation in Christ. See 2 Corinthians 1:20: For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.
- Worship in crisis and persecution. When you worship God in the darkness, the light breaks through. See Acts 16:25-26: Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off.
- Obey the promptings of the Holy Spirit. You will find out your true sonship when you obey the Holy Spirit. See Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Also, see Romans 8:14: For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
- Resist the Devil. Rebuke the thief and take authority of the lies. Do not bow your knee to the situation you’re facing or stand in agreement with it. Speak in the opposite spirit. See James 4:7: So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
And when you have done all this, stand in faith and wait on God. Rest in His perfect timing. God isn’t on our timetable. He is on His. When you walk in the above, chronological time bends and you’ll walk in Kairos time, God’s appointed time. He is the author of time and He lives outside of it. Time bends for those who worship the Lord. See Habakkuk 2:3
I pray this blesses you in some way today.