Our friend and devotional writer, Sally McClung, had a major cancer surgery last Friday. We want to remember her in prayer daily, so we will be posting one of her writings each day this week to remind us and to celebrate all she has taught us and the life she has shared with us. She wrote these earlier this year, long before she knew what she would be facing in November. Please lift her before the Lord for healing and peace for both her and her husband, Floyd.

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.'” Isaiah 41:13

B.R.A.V.E.

Lots of my days start off “normal”—calm, peaceful, with things to do that day, but not intense. And then suddenly, like a light switch being flipped…things come along that bring storms into the day. The day becomes stressful and intense in an instant.

I’ve had many of those days. Each time, I immediately knew I couldn’t make it on my own. I needed God’s help. I needed Him to rescue me in a few situations. A couple times I’ve found myself saying to the Lord, “Really? You want me to have to deal with this?” He was probably chuckling at my attitude. I’m glad He is patient with me and has a sense of humor.

I’m learning once again, in very profound ways, that I can’t just live on yesterday’s grace and on the strength of times gone by. I need to receive afresh His mercies that are new every morning, and lean into them each day, for each new thing that comes along. Sometimes I have to receive that fresh grace and help many times a day!

There are so many verses about God “holding our right hand.” Sometimes I stretch out my hand and imagine Him holding it while I speak out promises from the Word of how He’ll be with me. I sense His presence with me in the “battle” of the day.

In the midst of these things, the Lord puts the word BRAVE on my heart and gives me a simple understanding of what it means for me:

B – be bold, in the strength of His might
R – be resilient, don’t let the storms blow me over
A – be alert, watching for things I need to take a stand against
V – be vigorous, in my pursuit of God’s grace
E – be eager to learn and grow

I think these are the things He is asking of me as I hold firmly to His right hand. I can be “brave” because of His help.

Our character will be shown in the great moments, the big moments of life, but it is formed and developed in the small moments. Each day when I encounter the small things that bring the storms—God is using those “small” things to grow my character.

Father, we pray for the “big things” for Sally—for healing and peace. And we also pray for the “small things” for her. You know in Your wisdom what is needed and we trust You to perform those things for her. Amen.