Take heart - Denia Bradshaw
We are reminded many times to not be afraid and that we are never alone. Too, that God’s got our back. Those reminders are so comforting.
Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.
Isaiah 41:10 AMPC
One of my personal favorite and comforting bits of scripture can be found in Psalms, particularly Psalms 139.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Psalm 139:7-14 NIV
Since Sunday, my mind and my heart have been centered on courage; courage to stand up for what is right, but also the courage to simply be me, my own unique self. Fearfully and wonderfully made.
With this courage, as we were reminded on Sunday; let’s choose the lens of God’s people – the percent, no matter how small, that says no to empire.
Do not be fooled, for empire is always reversing things.
Kay Higuera Smith
Beloved, be courageous and be comforted; for God is with us.
Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe?
But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone.
Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me.
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
John 16:31-33 NLT