Tag Archive for: Deuteronomy 31:6

From Frozen to Fearless

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Deuteronomy 31:6 — “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you.”

In elementary school, we held elections where students in the upper grades could run for class positions—president, treasurer, and the like. I was painfully shy, but for some reason, I wanted to be part of it.

I do not remember where the courage came from. I just remember wanting to try. I made a “Vote for Sarah” shirt. I wrote a speech. I practiced it until it felt natural. There was a spark in me—something new. A sense that I had something to say.

When my name was called, I walked to the front of the room and stood at the podium. I looked out at my classmates, took a deep breath, and froze.

My mind went blank. A few jumbled words came out as I turned red with embarrassment.

I felt like I had let myself down in front of everyone.

I carried that moment with me for years. I did not raise my hand in class. I avoided being called on. I assumed I was not meant to speak in front of people.

Then, years later, I sensed God asking me to share my story—the one where I met Jesus. With everything in me, I wanted to make Jesus more famous by sharing how he had saved me, but all I could think about was what might happen if I froze again.

But God kept gently reminding me that His Spirit is not limited by my strengths and weaknesses. If He was calling me, He would give me what I needed.

So, I said yes.

The nerves were still there. but something greater settled in. As I spoke, the fear shrank. Not because I had gotten stronger, but because I was no longer speaking alone.

Afterwards people came and told me how much they related to my story. I stood there, stunned by what God had done through me. Shy Sarah. This was never about how confident I was. It was about what God could do when I chose to be obedient.

So, if you are standing in front of something that makes you afraid but you know God is asking you to do it—say yes anyway. You never know how many people are waiting on the other side of your obedience.

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God is Still with You

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“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

There are people in your life who make you stop and think, How does she do it? Sarah is one of those people for me.

Three kids with special needs, a life that never slows down, and a faith deep enough to carry it all. I have watched her handle things that would have leveled me. But today, as we sat across from each other, I saw something different in her eyes.

She stirred her coffee and said, “I’ve been trying to put the last few years into words, and I finally figured it out.” She glanced up. “It has been a hurricane.”

I frowned. “A hurricane?”

She nodded. “For so long, I was just trying to survive. Holding on, keeping my kids safe, and fighting to keep everything from falling apart.”

My chest ached at the honesty in her voice.

“And then one day, it was over. The storm passed. Life was … calmer.” She hesitated. “I should’ve felt relieved.”

I waited.

“But instead, I finally looked around and realized—things were broken. My marriage had cracks I didn’t see before. Some friendships didn’t make it. And my own heart?” She exhaled. “I wasn’t the same either.”

She met my eyes. “I thought the miracle was that God got me through. But the real miracle is that He’s still here. He’s standing in the wreckage with me, showing me what’s worth saving and what needs healing. He doesn’t just rescue us—He restores us.”

I sat there, her words pressing into places in my own heart I hadn’t even realized were aching.

We talk about God parting the sea. Calming the storm. Delivering us. But we don’t always talk about the God who kneels beside us afterward, helping us pick up the pieces.

If you’re looking at what life has left behind and wondering how to move forward, listen—God is still here. He’s not done with you.

The storm may have passed. But the rebuilding? You don’t have to do it alone.

Let Him be more than the one who saved you.

Let Him be the one who stays.

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