Home Archives for Janet Thompson

Courage Is Fear that Calls on God

0

The Reverend Billy Graham once said, “Courage is contagious. When a brave man [or woman] takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened.” That quote came from an article “A Time for Moral Courage.” We certainly live in a time when moral courage is desperately needed in our culture. And we might wonder what we could do? What difference could we make in a world that seems to have gone crazy? Maybe fear stops us from taking a stand for our faith and beliefs.

[Tweet “Bravery isn’t about succeeding or failing; it’s about not letting fear imprison you from trying.”]

We’ve all experienced a time when we thought, or maybe said aloud and sincerely believed, There’s no way I can do this! Then we find ourselves doing what we thought was impossible. Bravery isn’t about succeeding or failing; it’s about not letting fear imprison you from trying. We could each have a positive influence on our communities by courageously standing strong and defending our beliefs, even during trying times, without fear of those who oppose us.

I admire the bravery and courage of every woman putting herself in harm’s way as a first responder, firefighter, police officer, and a member of the military to save and protect the lives of others. Many women find their inner brave when faced with a life-threatening situation. I once read of a mother who jumped into her car at a gas station and shot a man trying to carjack her car with her two toddlers in the backseat. She took quick decisive brave action to rescue her children.

[Tweet “Hurdles we have to overcome in our life can seem daunting and paralyzing”]

Hurdles we have to overcome in our life can seem daunting and paralyzing. Yet we read of amazingly brave women in the Bible who found the courage and strength to stand up against insurmountable odds. Esther and Deborah probably come to mind, but what about Moses’ mother, Jochebed, who gave him up for adoption to save his life and Miriam who followed her baby brother downstream and then approached Pharaoh’s daughter to see if she would like a nursemaid for the infant.

Or the two midwives, Shiphrah or Puah, who went against Pharaoh’s order to kill all the newborn Hebrew boys? Even when Pharaoh called them before him to explain why the babies were surviving, they didn’t flinch in giving him a story that the Hebrew women were stronger than the Egyptian women and delivered before they arrived. What bravery that must have taken with their own lives at stake, they risked everything to save lives.

[Tweet “As contemporary women, we also dig deep within our soul to overcome the enemy’s paralyzing tactics of fear, doubt, and discouragement”]

As contemporary women, we also dig deep within our soul to overcome the enemy’s paralyzing tactics of fear, doubt, and discouragement. With the Lord’s help, we’re all capable of taking bold, essential action to protect our physical and spiritual lives as well as the lives of others. I love what Cherie Denna, who is one of the present-day women sharing her story in Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith, says about how we can conquer our fears: “The only thing more powerful than fear is hope.

[Tweet “As believers, we know our hope comes from the Lord.”]

As believers, we know our hope comes from the Lord. “That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe” (1 Tim. 4:10).

[Tweet “Courage is fear that calls on God. Spiritual strength makes us brave.”]

Courage is fear that calls on God. Spiritual strength makes us brave.

When you prayerfully push beyond what you think you can’t possibly do, you’re braver than you know.

When has God given you courage to overcome a fear?

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

You can take a peek into Everyday Brave on Amazon.

October 21, 2019
Return to top of page

Rejection Tests Our Courage

0

It's hard staying brave in rejection

Rejection cuts like a knife, straight to the heart of our self-confidence and self-worth. Many of us can remember feeling insecure in high school, desperately wanting to be popular and accepted. Many girls who feel rejected or unloved by their dads also feel unlovable and don’t value their own dignity or respect their bodies. If Daddy doesn’t love them, then who will? They might turn to self-destruction or settling for less than they deserve because of their hunger for love from a man.

Other women rejected or dismissed by a male decide all men are bad and try to find solace in promiscuity or even same-sex relationships, to no avail.

A sinful life never soothes a hurting heart.

[Tweet “A sinful life never soothes a hurting heart.”]

Rejection comes in many forms—not just from men. Jobs. Parents. Children. Schools. Relationships. Friendships. Sports. Publishers. Auditions. Contests. Infertility. You weren’t selected, accepted, loved, or good enough.

Rejection can seem like failure and a justification to quit. Or we can view rejection as an opportunity to put our brave on and try again.

Life is often unfair. Sometimes others exclude us or treat us unjustly. We find ourselves in circumstances we can’t control or change. Rejection hurts and we’re angry, maybe even with God. We think God has rejected us when he doesn’t answer our prayers the way we want or expect.

[Tweet “God is our only sure source of strength and courage to rally and carry on with confidence and composure.”]

But soon we realize God is our only sure source of strength and courage to rally and carry on with confidence and composure. Even when we don’t feel his presence, our faith assures us of the truth that we are never alone. God has promised never to leave or forsake us, even when others fail us or abandon us.

So we pick ourselves up and bravely move forward, choosing to not let rejection define us or retaliation confine us.

Rejection or Curiosity?

Other times what we perceive as rejection is just curiosity. Maybe we’re a little different from others and they’re just trying to figure us out. Sometimes we can overcome our feelings of inferiority or insecurity by reaching out to others, even when it isn’t comfortable. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t. It’s always worth a try.

When my husband and I moved from Orange County, California, to the rural mountains of Idaho, I felt scrutinized and rejected. I was from California. I dressed differently. I’m an author and speaker, not a canner or camper. We came from a mega-church to a small church and I didn’t always know the old hymns, but I learned them. I didn’t “pack.” In short, I wasn’t a mountain woman and probably never will become one.

I felt perceived stares and disapproval, but I was here to stay, so I tried not to read into what might be behind the once-overs and whispers. I reached out, smiled, hugged, participated, talked, made new friends, and loved on them. I still don’t pack or make jelly or can, but I’ve met people who take me as I am.

I love one-time game show host Wink Martindale’s quote: “Rejection is just another point of view.”

God Won’t Reject You!

[Tweet “Remember, when others reject you, God accepts you.”]

Remember, when others reject you, God accepts you. Rejection says more about the other person than it does about you.

Rejection doesn’t define you; it refines you.

[Tweet “Rejection doesn’t define you; it refines you.”]

Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalm 66:20

What lessons has God taught you through actual or perceived rejection?

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

Everyday Brave is available on Amazon, Christianbook.com, BarnesandNoble.com and signed at my website. 

September 30, 2019
Return to top of page

Keeping Your Brave On Under Pressure

2

Last weekend, I spoke at a women’s church retreat on the topic “You’re Braver Than You Know!” The women’s ministry team picked the topic from my new book Everyday Brave: Living Courageously As a Woman of Faith. I hope they left the weekend ready to take courageous steps of faith in their everyday lives.

[Tweet “Sometimes fear can stop us from trying new things or venturing out into unknown territory, but if we never try we won’t know what we might have accomplished.”]

Sometimes fear can stop us from trying new things or venturing out into unknown territory, but if we never try we won’t know what we might have accomplished.

I told the ladies this story of a recent fear I overcame.

My new Instant Pot sat in the box for weeks after my husband bought it for me on an Amazon Prime sale day. When I finally took it out to inspect it and read the directions for use, I packed it back into the box rationalizing that my grandkids were coming to visit and I didn’t have time to try this new unfamiliar appliance.

Truth be told, I was afraid of it. I had memories of my grandmother’s old style pressure cooker sizzling on the stove and her cautioning all the grandkids to stay away just in case it decided to explode. Explode?! Wow, Granny was brave and cooking looked really hard and dangerous.

One friend recently told me she has memories of her mother and grandmother canning chicken in a pressure cooker when it did explode. Chicken and glass flew all over the kitchen and parts of the appliance lodged in the ceiling of the kitchen never to be seen again!

I was comforted to know I wasn’t the only woman with trepidations when I joined a Facebook Instant Pot group trying to build up my courage to try this thing. Some women said theirs was still in the box since Christmas and it was now August. But many in the group said what so many had told me, “I love it.” Not just like it, they loved it!

Eventually, I did unbox the “beast” again and this time with my husband reading the directions and wearing his BBQ heat-resistant gloves, I bravely conquered my fear and cooked a delicious Pork Tenderloin in seventeen minutes. It actually wasn’t that hard and I didn’t need the goggles and face protection I had ready to put on . . . just in case.

REmaining brave under pressure!

I know some of you can relate to my experience and others are laughing because to you it was no big deal and you made your first Instant Pot meal with no fear or apprehension. Others might be reconsidering purchasing one or yours is still in the box too. Don’t let me scare you. They really are safe when you follow all the directions. But don’t let anyone pressure you into trying it until you feel ready.

Fear is Normal.

[Tweet “Fears are a natural part of life. We all have them. Fear is an honest, real emotion.”]

Fears are a natural part of life. We all have them. Fear is an honest, real emotion. Our heart races. We tremble. There’s a sinking sensation in our stomach. We’re terrified. Frozen. We’re not going to be brave this time.

Sometimes fear of loss or harm motivates a courageous act we wouldn’t otherwise consider. We’re usually brave and courageous in situations that involve something or someone valuable to us. Risking danger or overcoming our fears reveals what is immensely important to us to protect or accomplish.

Often fear is a healthy reaction to a dangerous situation. Other times, it’s rooted in past or recent trauma or chronic worry. Overcoming some fears may require the assistance of counselors, therapists, or doctors. Admitting you need help and acquiring it is courageous.

[Tweet “Conquering a fear can offer a world of new opportunities and accomplishments we’ve previously avoided.”]

Conquering a fear can offer a world of new opportunities and accomplishments we’ve previously avoided, like my experience with the Instant Pot. But no amount of outside pressure from others helps. We need to be ready on the inside.

God knows we live in a world with things that go bump in the night, so he gave us a remedy. This may sound too simple, but “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). You might have to do this repeatedly, but take it from me—it works.

A friend recently shared wise words from Mary Anne Radmacher on a wall hanging in her home: “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.”

Like my fear of the Instant Pot, is fear stopping you from doing something?

What fear has God helped you bravely overcome?

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

Everyday Brave is available on Amazon, Christianbook.com, BarnesandNoble.com and signed at my website. 

September 23, 2019
Return to top of page

Who Me Everyday Brave?

4

Who Me Everyday Brave?

Last week was the exciting release of Everyday Brave: Living Courageously As a Woman of Faith. As promised, two winners were selected from the comments on last weeks blog Are Your Ready to Get Your Brave On With Me?

Congratulations to the winners Charmaine and Leann. Thank you everyone who also left a comment and I hope you’ll continue leaving your thoughts on how the blogs speak to you. It’s always encouraging to hear from you.

Since the focus of Everyday Brave is to encourage us to be courageous women of faith in our daily lives, I thought it might be helpful to take a closer look at how we define bravery.

What do you think of when you hear the word brave?

We might all define bravery in different terms, but I think we can agree it takes courage to be brave. I heard Bill Carter, a former Secret Service Agent on a talk show where he gave this definition of courage: “It requires courage to take advantage of opportunities.” I like this definition because every day we encounter “opportunities” where acting on them and forging ahead into unknown territory requires courage and bravery.

Defining the true nature of bravery can be difficult and confusing at best. Maybe when you think about bravery, you imagine people being valiant, resolute, unafraid, adventuresome, bold, fearless, spunky, gritty, spirited, undaunted—the list goes on and on. As intimidating as these descriptions may seem, every woman (yes, even you) has embodied at least one of those descriptions of bravery at some point in her life. Which of those terms best describes you?

Friends and family often describe me as being bold, resolute, adventuresome, undaunted—and yes, even gritty and spunky. But people also call me brave for being willing to speak out against ungodly cultural issues of our times, something I think every Christian should naturally do.

[Tweet “When we get right down to it, we’re all braver than we think we are or give ourselves credit for, even though others might see us as brave. “]

When we get right down to it, we’re all braver than we think we are or give ourselves credit for, even though others might see us as brave. Yet I find this is often an uncomfortable admission for many women to make about themselves. Is it for you?

When I was writing Everyday Brave, I prayed that the Lord would provide me with guidance on how to encourage women to share their thoughts on bravery. I was so grateful when He gave me an idea for a new approach. On Facebook, I selected a brightly colored background and typed in the question, “What is the bravest thing God has ever asked you to do?” The comments started flowing. Here are a few. Can you relate to any?

  • Forgive abusers
  • Teenage unwed pregnancy
  • Trust God
  • Obey the Holy Spirit
  • Let go and let God
  • Bury children
  • Watch loved ones pass away
  • Adopt
  • Love unconditionally
  • Be a caregiver
  • Endure illness/cancer/pain
  • Marriage
  • Divorce
  • Remarry
  • Move
  • Have children/Raise a family
  • Homeschool
  • Wait

You probably thought of more things to add. Did you notice no one said “Running into a burning house to save a dog”? Or “Stopping a carjacker”? Or “Helping the police subdue a thief”? Of course, those are incredibly brave actions, but the women answering my Facebook question listed mostly everyday life circumstances they felt required such bravery that only God could help them, even though some listed “Trust God.”

[Tweet “Sometimes, being brave means not taking any action at all—staying silent when everything in you screams to bolt or revolt.”]

Sometimes, being brave means not taking any action at all—staying silent when everything in you screams to bolt or revolt.

We tend to categorize “brave women” as those who go into the international mission field or into the military. Police officers, firefighters, first responders. Any woman who goes into a dangerous career, willing to lay down her life for a job, cause, or belief, is superhero brave in our eyes. And so she should be. These women display other-centered, not self-centered, courage—the difference between desperate and real bravery.

Typically, we don’t consider that “ordinary” women like you and me display real other-centered bravery and courage every single day, often in the routines of life. But we get our brave on during situations that involve something or someone valuable to us. Risking danger or overcoming our fears reveals what is immensely important to us to protect or accomplish.

[Tweet “We may not realize it, but a courageous heart makes us “superheroes” to those who know us and especially to God”]

We may not realize it, but a courageous heart makes us “superheroes” to those who know us and especially to God.

Trust God!

The antidote to fear, worry, and anxiety is to trust God. Faith is the opposite of fear. So we call on God to help us and then we don’t doubt Him. We believe that God’s got this and He’s way ahead of us.

God is looking for obedient, courageous hearts. Often that doesn’t require doing something dramatic, but simply submitting to Him in the everyday situations of our life. As we do, He will probably ask us to do more and more and more, but it won’t seem as scary because we’ve become used to having Him by our side.

[Tweet “Wherever God has given you the strength to face adversity and trials of life—or maybe just normal everyday occurrences—with courage and bravery, praise him.”]

Wherever God has given you the strength to face adversity and trials of life—or maybe just normal everyday occurrences—with courage and bravery, praise Him. Then, share your victory with others. “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10).

[Tweet “When the world sees God’s people acting courageously, all we have to say is, “He gave me the courage I needed to persevere.”]

When the world sees God’s people acting courageously, all we have to say is, “He gave me the courage I needed to persevere. I couldn’t have done this without the Lord’s help. To God be the glory for the things He has done in and through my life. Yes, God has made me brave!”

Will you share with us where God has made you brave? Give Him the glory for something He helped you do that you couldn’t do on your own! Let us rejoice with you!

Thank you to everyone who has purchased a copy of Everyday Brave and shared with me the encouragement you’ve received to Get Your Brave On! That is my prayer for this book. I hope you’ll share it with others and it always blesses an author if you leave a review or comment on Amazon to help other readers know more about the book.

If you received this blog by email, leave a comment here.

Who Me Everyday Brave?

 

September 16, 2019
Return to top of page

Are You Ready to Get Your Brave On With Me?

8
Celebrating release of Everyday Brave

Celebrate with me the launch of Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith

Well it’s finally time! The release of Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith is today, September 10, 2019! Hoot!!! Hoot!!

[Tweet “It’s finally time! The release of Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith is today, September 10, 2019! Hoot!!! Hoot!!”]

Over the past year, many of you have traveled with me on this writing journey through trips and falls, illnesses, flooded basement, broken wrist, snowed in, car hit by a boulder . . . . Yes, it’s been a challenging year, but God has been good and the writing, editing, and printing kept on going.

Nothing can stop what God starts! I hope you agree this is true in your own life too.

[Tweet “Nothing can stop what God starts! I hope you agree this is true in your own life too.”]

It was a blessing last week to hold my new “baby” in my hands and start signing books for contributors, endorsers, and winners of blogs where I’ve been a guest blogger.

But don’t worry; I’m not leaving you out of the fun! I’m offering a signed copy of Everyday Brave to two of you who leave a comment on today’s blog to enter a drawing. I’ll announce the winners in next week’s blog!

It Takes a Village to Write a Book

A huge thank you to the courageous women who answered my shout out for stories and bravely shared in this book to bless other women. You know who you are!

I’m blessed to have nine endorsers who humbled me with their kind and gracious encouraging words about how God can use this book in the lives of women who often don’t realize they’re courageous everyday.

Tricia Goyer endorses Everyday Brave

Then there are the stories of 50 brave and courageous women in the Bible. In Everyday Brave, I use a new style of writing for me, creative nonfiction, where I base their stories on the biblical facts, while bringing them to life by recreating their world and environment. It was fun and some have said it’s my best book so far, but we’ll see what everyone else thinks.

Everyday Brave is not a Bible study, but there are discussion questions at the end of each chapter, which make the book perfect for use in Bible studies, small groups, Women’s Ministry studies, book clubs, Mentors and Mentees, or to help you as the reader engage with what you’ve read.

Everyone Needs the Lord

We live in a time when Christians need to have the courage to stand firm in their faith in a culture that is not Christian-friendly.

[Tweet “We live in a time when Christians need to have the courage to stand firm in their faith in a culture that is not Christian-friendly.”]

Regardless of the chaos in the world, we remain role models of a God-honoring life. Many are watching to see what it really means to be a faithful Christian who lives by the Bible.

Christians do not change the Bible to conform to the culture, but they do use the unchangeable Bible to reform the culture!

[Tweet “Christians do not change the Bible to conform to the culture, but they do use the unchangeable Bible to reform the culture!”]

True, it’s not for the faint of heart, but it is for those of us who fear the Lord!

I had to put my brave on just to write a book like Everyday Brave, but God’s timing is always perfect. I’ve felt Him encouraging me at every step, and I pray you will also be encouraged as you read it.

You and I really are much braver than we think we are!

Here’s a sneak preview of the Preface.

Believe me when I say I had to put my brave on just to write a book like this, but God’s timing is always perfect and I’ve felt Him encouraging me at every step. Let me first say, I had to tap into my everyday brave just to write this book. I’m not an expert on bravery and I don’t have all the answers for what makes us brave and courageous, but I do have a tight relationship with the One who does. He instilled in all of us brave hearts to push beyond what we think we’re capable of achieving, and so I started writing.

When taunting thoughts assailed me, such as Who are you to write a book about bravery? I honestly asked myself the same question. Then I quickly realized those disparaging words were coming from Satan because God doesn’t instill doubt in us. When he gives us a Holy Spirit–inspired idea or assignment, he encourages us and cheers us on with a “You go girl! I’ve got this. I’m with you all the way.” I knew God was with me on this project—I just had to get with it!

We need to bolster each other toward bravery just to withstand the barrage of daunting news today and the escalating attacks on our faith. It’s comforting to know that incredible women in the Bible also experienced scary and threatening times. They were victorious, and we can be too.

So my dear friends, let’s be courageous women of faith and get our brave on for God! Are you ready?! Let’s do it!

Be your own kind of brave!

Maybe your first brave step will be verbalizing an area of your life where God wants you to be brave and courageous.

Since I’m offering two free books for comments on this blog, let me give you a few ideas.

  • What is God asking you to do, but you’re hesitating?
  • What’s stopping you from courageously moving forward on God’s nudge to take a step of faith?
  • Where have you been victoriously bold and brave and how did it feel?

I sign Everyday Brave with this verse Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 1 Cor. 16:13

Everyday Brave available now on Amazon for sale

 

 

September 9, 2019
Return to top of page

What Are You Doing For Grandparents Day?

2
Grandparents Are Uniting in Prayer on Grandparents Day of Prayer

Grandparents Day of Prayer September 8, 2019

Are you wondering when and what is Grandparents Day?

Well, my research shows that it’s actually been a National Holiday for forty-one years!

Congress passed the legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents’ Day and, on August 3, 1978, then-President Jimmy Carter signed the proclamation. September was chosen to signify the “autumn” years of life.

[Tweet “The purpose of Grandparents Day, as stated is “to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.””]

The purpose of the holiday, as stated in the preamble to the statute, is “to honor grandparents, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children, and to help children become aware of the strength, information, and guidance older people can offer.”

Wow! That’s almost exactly what God told the generations to do in the Bible.

But from everlasting to everlasting
    the Lord’s love is with those who fear him,
    and his righteousness with their children’s children.— Psalm 103:17

Hear this, you elders;
    listen, all who live in the land.
Has anything like this ever happened in your days
    or in the days of your ancestors?
3 Tell it to your children,
    and let your children tell it to their children,
    and their children to the next generation.— Joel 1:2-3

[Tweet “Even though Grandparents Day is on your calendar, just like Mothers Day and Fathers Day, few families recognize it, or even know about it.”]

Even though you’ll find Grandparents Day is on your calendar, just like Mothers Day and Fathers Day, few families recognize it, or even know about it. Our young Minister of Education at church announced that it must be a real holiday because it’s on the calendar so they’re having a root beer float celebration after service on Grandparents Day September 8. Many of the grandmothers will be at our women’s retreat, but I thought it was so sweet that she planned a celebration for grandparents.

My friend, Lillian Penner is the founder of Grandparenting with Purpose, an organization that encourages grandparents to pray for their grandchildren and invest in their lives. They work hard to bring awareness of Grandparents Day to the public as a reminder of how valuable the older generation’s wisdom and perspective is to the younger generations. So often, I hear that the kids won’t listen or aren’t interested in spending time with their grandparents, but Dave and I haven’t found that to be the case as long as we make an effort to be relevant in our grandchildren’s lives.

And we can pray for them. Lillian has written a sweet book, Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for your Grandchildren. In my quiet time, I pray for our eleven grandchildren. I have their pictures in my devotional and I journal a note to God about what’s happening in their lives. He knows what they need each day.

Last week, I wrote a guest blog, Brave Grandparenting, on Lillian Penner’s Grandparenting with a Purpose website. You might want to stop by and leave a comment and enter the drawing for a signed copy of Everyday Brave.

What are your thoughts on why a day as important as celebrating grandparents and their value to the family never got traction?

PS If you’re wondering why my Monday Morning Blog is coming to you on Tuesday, I was hoping you would all be spending time with family on Labor Day and not reading your email! Maybe you were even with grandparents or grandkids.

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

One more week until the release of Everyday Brave: Living Courageously As a Woman of Faith, but you can pre-order NOW.

Let's Be Everyday Believers

September 3, 2019
Return to top of page

We’re Brave Women of Integrity

2

We're Brave Women of Integrity

The annoying song announcing a new text was playing early in the morning. I opened the text and to my surprise, there was a message from the insurance company saying they were sending a check for the completion of our reconstruction work after our basement flooded last Thanksgiving. Yes, I said last Thanksgiving!! What a journey it’s been for nine long months but now it was finally over! Closure.

But as I looked at the amount, there was something wrong! It was twice as much as we should receive. The reconstruction had been going on for so long that different people were now overseeing the construction, and the original insurance adjuster was long gone. Our claim was handed off to at least four other people.

Unless we pointed out the error, our claim would be closed. Forever. Filed away.

But we knew the error. God knew the error. And we knew what we needed to do.

So hubby contacted the construction company’s office and told them they needed to send the insurance company the correct final amount.

I contacted the most recent insurance claims resolution specialist I’d been working with and told her the check was not the correct amount.

Then I added,

“I’m sure you don’t receive many emails saying you paid us too much!” And signed it “Appreciate your help! Have a blessed rest of the day.”

She emailed back,

“I really appreciate your honesty! Like you mentioned, we never get emails advising we have overpaid.” And she signed, “Have a blessed day as well.”

[Tweet “We never know whose life our integrity and honesty is going to touch and influence.”]

We never know whose life our integrity and honesty is going to touch and influence. I’m sure she receives many emails and phone calls from angry disgruntled clients. And who hasn’t complained about insurance companies and the cost of insurance.

But what really impressed me the most was her telling me to also have a blessed day. In today’s politically correct environment, we might think we have to avoid a “spiritual” greeting and opt for a vanilla generic “Have a nice day.” What do we really mean when we say “nice”? It’s an overused cliché definitely better than saying nothing but a missed opportunity to say something meaningful. I’ve noticed that when I offer a blessing, people stop and take notice.

[Tweet ” I’ve noticed that when I offer a blessing, people stop and take notice.“]

As women of integrity, we stay true to who we are in Christ and Christ in us, regardless of the circumstances. I’m not saying we lead out with the Gospel, but that we live out the Gospel.

For example, you’re with a group of people you’ve just met and you sense by their conversation and actions that they’re not believers. What do you do now? Try to fit in and not make too many waves, or act the same as you would if you were with a group of fellow believers? We’ve all been there sending up a silent prayer asking God, “Help!”

[Tweet “As women of integrity, we stay true to who we are in Christ and Christ in us, regardless of the circumstances.”]

In today’s culture, it takes courage to stand up for our faith and live with integrity. The world doesn’t reward or encourage moral standards. You stand out in a crowd when you do what’s right instead of compromising or taking the easy way out. This is nothing new. Paul certainly would have had an easier life if he backed down every time someone challenged him for being a believer. But the message the Apostle Paul gave to the church at Corinth is still a source of encouragement for Christians to bravely and boldly live with integrity today: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13).

I looked up the definition of integrity and here’s what I found: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness; virtue; character; incorruptibility; goodness. It saddens me to think how hard it is for Christians today to live with integrity without being confronted and bullied in schools, college campuses, sports, jobs, social media, in business, and even with some friends and family. It’s not easy, but it is courageous.

Living with integrity is not popular, but it is possible. It’s not the world’s way, but it is God’s way! And that’s all that matters to us, right!

[Tweet “[Living with integrity is not popular, but it is possible. It’s not the world’s way, but it is God’s way! And that’s all that matters to us, right!”]

As we watch civil law go counter to God’s laws and rampant tolerance for everything except Christianity, we’re under intense pressure to comply. God says, “Stand firm in the faith” and don’t crumble. Biblical courage means obeying God’s laws and not condoning or compromising on anything that Scripture opposes.

Yes, it’s uncomfortable and difficult, but as long as we stay tethered to God, biblical truths, and each other, He will provide us the strength we need to go against the worldly secular culture when it opposes our faith. Be strong. Be courageous. Be brave. Be a woman of integrity!

We're Brave Women of Integrity

You can preorder Everyday Brave and receive it as soon as it releases! I’m excited about this book, can you tell?!

Here is an interview I gave on At The Library, where I talk about what inspired me to write this book and answer a number of questions about it. If you’ve never heard my voice, it might be fun to listen so you’ll know what I sound like when you read my blogs and books!

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

August 26, 2019
Return to top of page

Let’s Be Everyday Brave Believers!

3

Let's Be Brave Believers

Every day, we wake up to a new alarming story. If I write my Monday Morning Blog about something that happened the previous week, by the Tuesday after the blog posts, it’s old news because there’s another “breaking news alert.”

It can’t help but keep us in a constant state of anxiety and unrest. Many wonder Where is God? Or Why isn’t He doing something? Every time I hear someone say that or read it in print, Matthew West’s song comes to mind, “Do Something.” The first part of this song talks about waking up every morning to a litany of troubling social issues that are all too familiar to us. He even says he shook his fist at heaven asking, “God, why don’t You do something?”

Then, he hears God’s answer: “I did, I created you.”

That’s right, God created you and me to do something. “If not us, then who, If not me and you.”

If you follow me regularly, you know God is relentless in giving me this theme to share. Sometimes, I feel like Isaiah and Jeremiah trying to warn God’s people that a major role of believers is asking God, “What do you want me to do and where do you want me to do it?”

[Tweet “Every brave Christian asks God, “What do you want me to do and where do you want me to do it?””]

Coincidently, I just finished reading the Book of Isaiah and am now in Jeremiah on my annual Daily Walk reading plan. Today, I read, a quote describing Jeremiah 26-29: “Those who truly aspire to be Christlike should not be surprised when the mob comes to crucify them.”

Ok I know that sounds a bit foreboding, but today we do see a “mob mentality,” as I wrote last week, that wants to demonize, demoralize, discourage, and dissuade believers from speaking out and stepping out against the immorality and injustice in our culture. And Satan would like nothing better than for us to be silent. But this is nothing new as we can see from the Old Testament prophets to New Testament Jesus and Paul. Look what Paul wrote to the Corinthian church . . .

Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies. 12 So we live in the face of death, but this has resulted in eternal life for you.

13 But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist [David Ps. 116:10] had when he said, “I believed in God, so I spoke.”[c] 14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus,[d] will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. 15 All of this is for your benefit. And as God’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory.

16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. 17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! 18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Cor. 4:11-18 NLT

In my upcoming release, Everyday Brave, I quote O.S. Hawkins from his devotional The Believer’s Code, “It takes courage to stand for what is right in our world today. Be strong and have the courage not to condone nor compromise what is clearly opposed in Scripture.” We can do that, right?!

[Tweet “As Christians, if everyone agrees with what we say and do, we’re not being bold for Christ because the Bible and the Christian life is offensive to many in the world today.”]

As Christians, if everyone agrees with what we say and do, there’s a good chance we’re not being bold for Christ because the Bible and the Christian life is offensive to many in the world today.

[Tweet “We can’t please everyone, but we speak the truth in love even if it’s not popular and even when it’s not embraced.”]

We can’t please everyone, but we speak the truth in love even if it’s not popular and even when it’s not embraced. God might be using us as part of someone’s eventual spiritual journey. We can pray that happens.

In Chapter 25, “Brave Believer,” I tell the biblical stories of Phoebe, Damaris, and the prominent women who followed Paul. These women might only have their names mentioned in a verse or two in the Bible, or remain nameless, and yet we know by context that they were all brave believers and played an important role in helping Paul start the early church and share the gospel. Imagine the trials and struggles faced by these women as they watched Paul endure persecution while they served beside him in ministry amid hostility and danger. We can learn from these strong women of faith how to carry on their courageous legacy in a culture that often isn’t receptive to the gospel of Christ.

The present-day brave believer in that chapter was my good friend and author, Penelope Carlevato, who tells the story of risking her career and reputation as a RN circulator in the operating room by refusing to participate in abortions.

Here’s a sneak preview into the section You’re Braver Than You Know in Chapter 25. “In a world antagonistic toward Christians, the Bible, God, and Jesus, a world that refuses to acknowledge that sin is wrong, it takes great courage like Penelope had to stand by your moral convictions and not let today’s cultural war frighten or silence you—especially when shunned, criticized, and ridiculed as she was. It might seem easier just to go with the flow, but when we abdicate to the culture, we deny Christ, the foundation of our faith. Never do we see Jesus or the Apostle Paul shying away from sharing the truth just because someone didn’t like the message.”

[Tweet “In a world antagonistic toward Christians, the Bible, God, and Jesus, and refuses to acknowledge that sin is wrong, it takes courage to stand by your moral convictions and not let today’s cultural war frighten or silence you.”]

“Sometimes we’re tempted to compromise on our beliefs because we don’t want to make waves; we want to keep everybody happy. Impossible. Jesus made waves. We worry how we’ll look to our peers. Jesus worried about the eternal life, more than the earthly life, of both his peers and his enemies. What if they reject or snub us? They rejected Jesus. What if God doesn’t come through for us? God is always faithful; we’re the ones who often let him down.”

[Tweet “Jesus worried about the eternal life, more than the earthly life, of both his peers and his enemies.”]

So here are questions to ask ourselves as we get our brave on:

  • Am I willing for others in my circles to know I’m a believer—maybe the only one?
  • Would someone have to ask if I’m a believer?
  • And if they did ask, what would be my response?
  • Would I have the courage to stand by my convictions at the risk of losing my job or friends?

Suffering for the gospel isn’t a punishment; it’s a privilege!*

[Tweet “Suffering for the gospel isn’t a punishment; it’s a privilege!”]

How have you had to suffer for the gospel? Will you share with us?

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

*Excerpts from Chapter 25, “Everyday Believer” in Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith

Let's Be Everyday Believers

August 19, 2019
Return to top of page

Deplorables Will Not Be Silenced

4

We Will Not Be Silenced by the Left

We live in an era where liberals and progressives are intent on demoralizing, demeaning, and denouncing “deplorable” Conservatives and Christians and everything we stand for and believe. They’re trying to shame us, scare us, and silence us.

Vine’s definition of ashamed: “A strong feeling of shame preventing a person from doing something.”

Their attempts to stop us are straight from Satan’s evil and demonic playbook as is Universal Pictures movie “The Hunt,” which was scheduled for release September 27. Even though they originally “temporarily paused” the marketing campaign after the El Paso, Dayton, and Gilroy shootings, Universal remained determined to still release the movie that glorified shooting innocent people!!!

If you haven’t heard about The Hunt, a group of rich liberal elites jet to a resort to hunt down kidnapped conservative “deplorables” and kill them. Yes, you read that right, humans killing humans for sport because of their political differences.

But many of us pushed backed. We didn’t stay silent. We went to sites like the American Family Action website to sign a petition to stop this movie, and we shared the site with our friends and family on social media! And we prayed, hard!

I love the name of this group AFA because they’re not just lamenting the unfairness and evil in our world today, their very name says they’re action oriented. Doing something to protect the American family and thus our culture, and so should we.

We Will Not Let the Left Silence Us

Everyone who took action to voice an objection to The Hunt made a difference! We would not be silenced. As I’m writing this blog on Saturday 8/10/19, Universal has canceled the release of The Hunt “in the wake of significant backlash.” Ya think?!

[Tweet “Those of us who protested The Hunt made a difference! We would not be silenced.”]

Yet here is part of the statement from Universal Pictures: “We stand by our filmmakers and will continue to distribute films in partnership with bold and visionary creators, like those associated with this satirical social thriller, but we understand that now is not the right time to release this film.”

[Tweet “What kind of a twisted mind would even create such an evil movie as The Hunt in the first place, justify it as “satire,” and think there was EVER a good time to release it”]

What kind of a twisted mind would even create such an evil movie in the first place, justify it as “satire,” and think there was EVER a good time to release it?! Maybe the same kind of mind that held up a picture of the severed head of our president and called it humor.

[Tweet “As Christians, if God wants us to do something and the Holy Spirit prompts us—regardless of how “politically incorrect” or unpopular it might be, we need to stand together against the pressure of this world to shame us, intimidate us, and silence us.”]

As Christians, if God wants us to do something and the Holy Spirit prompts us—regardless of how “politically incorrect” or unpopular it might be, we need to stand together against the pressure of this world to shame us, intimidate us, and silence us. No matter how many names they call us, laws they pass to quiet us, encourage others to harass us, make movies to scare us, or how unpopular we become personally—our job is to speak out, stand up, and defend good vs evil. Moral vs immoral. Right vs wrong! And we won’t back down.

The shocking plot of this movie revealed to the world the underlying intent of Hollywood and the liberal left: eliminate the voice of “Deplorables.” 

Even if you didn’t have the opportunity to speak out against this movie, there will certainly be more opportunities in the future and there are plenty of abhorrent issues right now.

[Tweet “I didn’t hear one Democrat presidential hopeful that denounce The Hunt. Or a Democrat Congressman or Senator take a stand against it.”]

I didn’t hear of one Democrat presidential hopeful that denounced this movie. I didn’t hear a Democrat Congressman or Senator take a stand against it. Did you? If so, please let me know. While they’re stumping against gun control and violence, they’re silent on a violent movie that uses guns to kill constituents who wouldn’t vote for them.

Franklin Graham summarized it well in his Facebook and Twitter posts:
“Universal Pictures is now cancelling the release of “The Hunt,” a movie that was scheduled to come out next month which portrayed Democrats hunting down “deplorables,” referencing Hillary Clinton’s 2016 term for Donald J. Trump supporters. That’s good news. But the very development and filming of this movie shows just how sick the liberal left in Hollywood are. That they would spend money to make such a violent, politically-charged film like this, considering the state our country is in, is inconceivable. To even plant the thought in someone’s mind that it’s okay to shoot a person because they wear a MAGA hat or hold conservative viewpoints that might be different than theirs is reckless and reprehensible. That’s not satire or entertainment—that’s sowing seeds of discord & violence.”

I would add . . .

It’s not “creative.” It’s corruptive.

It’s not “satire.” It’s satanic.

We will not be silenced!

Yet I am not silenced by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face. Job 23:17

I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. Psalm 40:9 NLT

Just a reminder that my new book Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith is now available for preorder. As you probably surmised, there’s a Brave Believer chapter.

If you received this blog by email, please leave a comment here.

August 12, 2019
Return to top of page

7 Tested Tips for Moms of Teens by Letitia Suk

5

Letitia Suk is a guest on the Monday Morning Blog today with some great advice for moms of teens and tweens from her book Need-to-Know Tips for Moms of Tweens and Teens. This is a delightful and practical guide for grandparents too. As I was reading, I thought about my thirteen-year old granddaughter who was coming with her friend to stay with us for a week. Our tendency is to fall back on our own parenting style with the next generation, but I knew I could learn a few tips, and I did. Leave a comment for a chance to enter the drawing to win this precious book!

My new book Everyday Brave: Living Courageously as a Woman of Faith is now available for preorder on Amazon. Mothering tweens and teens is a courageous and brave endeavor that I know we would all agree we couldn’t do without the help of God. Chapter 7 is “Brave Mothers.” 

7 Tested Tips for Moms of Teens

by Letitia Suk

7 Tested Tips for Moms of Teens

Parents and teens will clash, often! If you are a parent of a teen, you have been on both ends of the clash at some point in your life. Remember?

As much as it feels challenging to get through this roller coaster season of parenting, choose the long view. This current crisis will pass but your relationship with your teen lasts the rest of your life.

[Tweet “One of the primary tasks of parenting teens is to establish a bond of closeness that can be drawn on for the long journey ahead.”]

Your pediatrician might not have mentioned it, butone of the primary tasks of parenting teens is to establish a bond of closeness that can be drawn on for the long journey ahead.

Hard as it is to believe, most of the years spent with our child in our lifetime will be in an adult-adult relationship that will outlast these exciting, fun-filled, and often challenging years.

[Tweet “Most of the years spent with our child in our lifetime will be in an adult-adult relationship”]

Looking for help?

If you need some help today, 100 Need-to-Know Tips for Moms of Tweens & Teens is a grab and go guide to read along the way. Each short, stand-alone tip provides an immediate opportunity to strengthen your relationship with your teen for both now and for the decades ahead.

Here is a sample of some of the tips you can try right now. 

  1. Keep Texts Friendly.

Chances are your teen prefers texting to most other forms of communication. Choosing to use this tool in a friendly way is a great way to stay in touch. Tell them you love them and are praying for their test. Ask them if they need anything from Walmart or send fun tidbits of information. TM can also be used to ask questions like when will the car be back? Will you be home for dinner? Could you please pick up a gallon of milk?

Decide that you will only use this creative tool for positive thoughts or simple questions. This is not the vehicle to complain (the kitchen is a wreck), criticize (you never leave gas in the car), or accuse (you were out too late last night). Keep it upbeat and they’ll want to keep opening their inbox.

  1. Ditch the Dread.

“Wait till they’re teenagers!” was the foreboding warning that awaited me on almost every turn of the stroller. “Wait till they start mouthing off” or “Wait till they get to high school” or “Wait till they get their driver’s license” have been part of the mom to mom network from the playground to the boardroom. It was never clear what the wait was for, it didn’t have the same hopeful note as waiting to go on vacation.

[Tweet “Instead of expecting the worst, start the day with a hope and a prayer that your teen is going to be OK.”]

            Instead of expecting the worst, start the day with a hope and a prayer that your teen is going to be OK.

Talk back to your inner critic and tell her you’re doing just fine as a mom. Don’t let moments of doubt turn into dread-fests. Be the voice of the yay-sayer instead of the naysayer to other moms. Expect the best and wait for it to come!

  1. Wave the White Flag.

If you are the parent of a teen, you have engaged in some conflict. In fact, you might have instigated it or inflamed it. It is never too late to wave the white flag and start a round of peace talks in your family. Someone needs to step up and stop yelling, door   slamming, or silent treatment. Might as well be you!

Calling for peace is not glossing over incidents but acknowledging your part in the current conflict. “I was angry, and I insulted your character, I’m sorry.” “I was tired, and I yelled at you. That wasn’t fair.” Asking for forgiveness is also a huge step but necessary to move on.

[Tweet “Conflicts will come and go but the relationship is forever.”]

Conflicts will come and go but the relationship is forever.

What your teen sees from you in the way of how to do resolution will shape their future interactions as well.

4. Leave on a positive note.

When your teen leaves the house for an outing with friends, make a point to say have a good time, you look great, I love you.

[Tweet “The last few minutes of your interaction with your teen can set the tone for the rest of the evening.”]

The last few minutes of your interaction with your teen can set the tone for the rest of the evening.

If your teen leaves the house feeling good about you and about themselves, they will carry those positive feelings with them. Likewise, if they leave home angry, feeling misunderstood, or belittled, those feelings may shape their evening. If you really want to make a lasting impression, occasionally slip a little unasked-for cash!

  1. Avoid Micro-Managing Your Teen’s Faith.

It has been said that “God has no grandchildren” meaning we each have our own faith experience separate from our parents. In our spiritually aware culture, most teens are searching for something/someone to believe in. Your teen’s faith journey might parallel yours, lag behind, or leap ahead. Most likely, it will not be identical just as your faith experience is not the same as your parents.

[Tweet “Your role as a parent is to provide spiritual training for your children, but not to force their faith development.”]

            Your role as a parent is to provide spiritual training but not to force their faith development.

In these teen years, you can nurture your teen’s faith by your prayers, your example, your encouragement, and trust God to work out the big picture. Keep in mind, his timing is rarely the same as ours.

  1. Differentiate Between Rules and Policies.

Try less rules, more policies. A policy has flex to it, a rule is fixed. Use policies for the minors of life such as room cleaning, late phone calls, attendance at family events, established study times, etc. A policy can be changed by request, “I need to talk to Sara tonight, but she won’t be home till 10:30. Can I call her later?” You: “OK, thanks for asking.” Exception given, policy still in place.

Rules, however, cover the majors and are not flexible. No point in your teen asking if they can have a party when you’re out of town. Ditto, there won’t be an exception as to whether they can drink and drive or have a sleepover with their boyfriend/girlfriend. Policies can be created on the spot and revised often. Keep the actual rules very few and very clear.

Remember, rules without relationship can lead to rebellion. 

[Tweet “Remember, rules without relationship can lead to rebellion in children.”]

  1. Bless their Friends, Even the Ones You Don’t Like.

You won’t like all your teens’ friends. Usually announcing that you don’t like a friend quickly elevates this person into sainthood in your teen’s life. The secret is not to let your feelings be known unless your teen is in danger or serious risk from a “friend.”

Find something, anything to comment on positively about the friend. “I like the way ____    is passionate about causes, knows a lot about music, isn’t afraid to be different.” then you might say something casually like, “I am a little concerned about his/her ____(driving?, ditching school? lying? poor relationship with parents, etc.” (choose only one) then follow with, “What do you think about that?” Listen and don’t comment. Very hard tactic to follow but so worth it. Wait it out and see if your impression was wrong or your teen recognizes it’s not a healthy relationship. It almost always happens.

Interested in reading more?

Ninety-two more tips are available in 100 Need-to-Know Tips for Moms of Tweens & Teens (Ellie Claire/Hachette, 2019.) Beautifully designed with inspirational quotes on motherhood interspersed throughout, this book makes an excellent gift for yourself or a friend.

Which of these tips did you need today? 

Have you used any of these tips successfully?

Please leave a comment here for a chance to win a free sign copy of 100 Need-to-Know Tips for Moms of Tweens and Teens.

About the Author:

7 tested Tips for Moms of Teens

Letitia Suk invites women to chase the intentional life. She is the author of 100 Tips for Moms of Tweens and Teens, Getaway with God: The Everywoman’s Guide to Personal Retreat & Rhythms of Renewal. Letitia’s Amazon page

She and her husband, Tom, live in the Chicago area and are parents of four grown children. Letitia’s Website

August 5, 2019
Return to top of page
« Previous Page
Next Page »
Return to top of page · Copyright © 2026 Crown Laid Down Designs All Rights Reserved · Our Privacy Policy