Brave

I've had a bad week. I know...it happens to everyone. But if you struggle with anxiety, depression, perfectionism, and the propensity to be bogged down by self-pity (like me); a bad week can turn into a nightmare that you can't escape from. Even the simplest of tasks (like getting out of bed) becomes nearly impossible to force yourself to do. Then there are those difficult tasks that even on a good week you would sweat over. Like studying for that huge test, completing the unrelenting mound of Spanish memorization, and writing a paper when you are way behind on the prep work....I could go on, but you get the picture.

So a bad week turns hard, then impossible, then awful...and then the guilt sets in. Our motto when things get tough is Nike's "just do it!" But saying that a million times in the week can cause it to lose its effectiveness.

You have to work so hard to convince yourself to complete these awful hard things that should be easy. Ah...should be...that's when the guilt comes...or the self-pity. You may start to think things like this: "I hate that things gets so hard for me; I wish my weaknesses didn't exist." Or "No one understands why this is so hard for me so they are judging me." Ever sound like that? I do......a lot. So I wrote this in a moment of deep self-pity and spiritual angst. It isn't supposed to be a theological antidote. It's just my emotional response to this week, pure and simple. Maybe you can relate. Your trial may not look like mine, but you may be going through something that is very difficult for you. And you may be thinking that no one knows what its like; that no one understands. That even God seems distant from your pain. But is that really true?


Do they see me being brave;
Those people that pass by?
Do they see me fighting voices,
That tare me till I cry?
Do they understand the darkness;
Do they look upon my chains?
Can they feel the shaking weakness,
That causes constant pain?
Do they see me being brave?

Does He see me being brave,
My Savior who seems lost?
Does He count the tear stained hours;
See the heart that's tempest tossed?
Can He teach me while I lie here?
Can He Redeem the pain?
Does my Savior still stay watching,
Will He come and will He save?
Does He see me being brave?

Did I see Him being brave,
That same One long ago?
When He took on all my filth;
When He walked that blood stained road?
Can I now shift all my focus;
Can I look right in His face?
Have faith in His whole purpose;
Submit to all His ways?
Do I see Him who is brave?


If you need more encouragement, go listen to this song by Jeremy Camp, called "He Knows": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsccUg4TDd8

Dear Daughter

Unrepentant sinner run,
To the nail scarred hands held out.
Reach in faith past all your doubts;
Let His grace sing in you now.
Let your stubborn pride fall silent,
Grasp the path He lays before you.
Hold no longer to your sin;
Run in, dear daughter, run in.

Unbelieving child come kneel,
At the feet of Him who calls.
Listen to His voice and teaching;
Let His words redeem your fall.
Embrace the tender truths He gives.
Don't let self-pity within you live.
Let your faith renew your grasp;
Hold fast, dear daughter, hold fast.

Repent! Believe! These things dear child,
I'm telling you to do.
But one more thing I'd have you know,
To understand the glue.
You know that God is calling you
To run and to hold fast.
That same dear Lord reminds you too,
That He is first and last.
His sacrifice and binding love
Will keep you in His fold.
And none can ever take from Him
His precious daughter's soul.