Life-Giving Words of Hope & Encouragement

I have begun my days listening to this beautiful song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ_aGtE_fc4, and I felt the Lord speak this to my spirit this morning.

When hurting, we often bury those emotions instead of dealing with them. Running away from our pain or numbing it with substances/behaviors is not the answer. We can’t conquer what we avoid; ignoring problems won’t make them disappear.

When soldiers saw Goliath, they wanted to flee. Yet Scripture says, “David ran quickly toward Goliath.” He knew avoiding the giant meant missing his destiny, so he slung the rock and defeated Goliath. By facing our giants, God helps us achieve what we cannot alone. We have to stop running from our past, mistakes, and fears. It’s time to face those giants, just like David did.

Are you avoiding something today, like mending a relationship or doing what God has called you to do? Gideon faced a similar struggle. When an angel called him to lead the Israelites, he hid in a wine press. Despite his fear and insecurity, he sensed God’s calling and had to choose between running away or stepping out of his comfort zone.

Growth requires discomfort. Gideon faced his fears and became a hero of faith. We all have moments when we must decide: Will I do the hard thing? Will I love and forgive? Running away doesn’t resolve issues; ignoring them won’t make them disappear.

In 1993, Mary Johnson’s son was killed at a party during a shooting. Three days later, a 16-year-old boy was charged with murder. During the trial, she viewed her son’s killer as an animal, and hate consumed her heart. Buried hurts don’t disappear; they poison your life.

One day, Mary confronted her feelings. “I won’t let anger ruin my life,” she declared. She called the prison to visit her son’s killer. He surprisingly agreed to meet. Feeling uneasy, she walked in. They spoke for two hours, during which he apologized. As she left, he asked for a hug. Mary felt her anger dissolve during the embrace, lifting the heavy weight of hate. From that day, she felt no bitterness or hostility again. Read the whole story here: https://www.theforgivenessproject.com/stories-library/mary-johnson-oshea-israel/

Don’t spend your life running. Before moving forward, you must always return to and deal with what you ran from. God won’t ask you to do something difficult without giving you the ability. The enemy wants you to run—run from God’s calling, your fears, and your past. It’s time to stop. The only way out is through; ignoring it won’t help. Time won’t make it vanish. But if you confront it, you can conquer it. God will give you the strength to overcome what seems impossible. When you do your part, God handles what you can’t.

Ephesians 6 discusses putting on the full armor of God: the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the shoes of peace, the sword of the spirit, and the shield of faith. All these elements protect us. Interestingly, there is no armor for our backs. This signifies that God did not create us to run; instead, He intends for us to confront our giants, face our fears, and stand firm in faith.

What you avoid, your children confront. Facing your fears, overcoming bad habits, and forgiving past wrongs can break harmful cycles. Issues that run in your family can stop with you. I want to ease my children’s burdens. I won’t shy away from difficulties or let my dreams or past dictate my future or theirs.

Psalm 119:29 says, “God, keep me from lying to myself.” This is a powerful prayer because humility allows us to confront the issues God reveals.

Jacob lived by compromising and cheating. He tricked his hungry twin brother, Esau, out of his birthright for a pot of stew. Years later, as Isaac neared death, he called Esau to give him the firstborn blessing. Isaac was nearly blind, so Jacob impersonated Esau by wearing his clothes and cologne. He blessed Jacob instead, and when Esau discovered this, he was furious, forcing Jacob to exile with his uncle Laban.

Laban was dishonest with Jacob, promising one daughter but giving him the other. Be careful what you sow; it returns to you. After twenty years of running, Jacob decided to go home but had to pass through Edom, where Esau lived. What you avoid, you eventually confront. Ignoring issues doesn’t make them disappear; they’ll stay between you and your destiny, but God will grant you the grace to face them.

As Jacob traveled, he saw Esau and his men approaching, filling him with apprehension about his brother’s reaction: anger, revenge, or a fight. To his surprise, Esau ran to him and embraced him instead. Esau then hugged Jacob’s wife and children. Despite their past, Jacob never imagined they would share such affection. When you confront buried issues and seek to rectify them, God’s grace leads the way, softening hearts and straightening paths.

Like Jacob, we all have made mistakes. We may need to apologize or ask for forgiveness, or we might need to call that loved one we haven’t spoken to and make peace. Don’t spend 20 years like Jacob, running from your past and making excuses for your failures.

The night before the encounter, Jacob went to the brook to be alone with God. He reflected on his life and treatment of Esau, disliking who he had become and knowing he could improve. That night, a man, an angel, appeared, and Jacob wrestled with Him. Sensing its significance, he declared, “I won’t leave until you bless me.” The angel asked, “What is your name?” This felt odd; why did it matter? It was the same question Jacob’s father posed when he stole Esau’s blessing.

Jacob debated, thinking, “Just tell the angel you’re Esau, like you did with your father. Just keep pretending.” He realized, “No, I won’t live like this anymore. I won’t compromise or make decisions I’m not proud of.” Jacob told the angel, “I am Jacob. ” He admitted that his name means trickster and confessed, “I lacked integrity. I deceived people.” Jacob became honest and stopped running.

When he admitted who he was, God named him Israel, meaning “prince with God.” The principle is that honesty and stopping excuses lead to change. You don’t have to run from your past or mistakes; you shouldn’t feel ashamed. When you go to God, He won’t condemn you; He will help you rise above what previously held you down.

Jacob never imagined he would be called a “prince with God.” He never thought he would have a good relationship with his brother or that he could live in his hometown free from fear and the negative aspects of his past. God will restore and improve your life in ways you never thought possible.

Are you avoiding something today? Are you comforting what you should confront? Don’t spend another year in the wilderness; face what you must do. Be honest with yourself and address the issues God reveals. It may be challenging, but taking that step will lead to God’s grace. I hope this speaks to you, and I pray you have a blessed day!