Devotionals for the Heart: Be Strong

Be Strong and Let Your Heart Take Courage
A devotional by Aubrey Taylor

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!”

—Psalm 27:14 (ESV)

Waiting is something that many people have a strong distaste for, especially in a world where there are things like fast food restaurants, instant coffee, and smartphones which help you find virtually any information you need within seconds.

Even in our Christian faith walk with God, the word wait triggers a deep feeling of frustration. Yet we know that it is often through waiting that God draws us closer, prepares us for what He’s about to do, and solidifies our confidence in Him and in the calling He’s given us.

I have been in a period of waiting, and wondering whether I am even allowed to speak about what I believe God is doing. One day, as I wrestled in prayer over whether or not I should speak to my husband about some of the things the Lord has placed on my heart, the second part of this verse rang out to me in a way it never has before: be strong, and let your heart take courage.

How can my husband know what I am hearing from the Lord if I am not bold enough to speak up about it?

After wrestling in prayer, I went out to the patio where my husband was sitting, sat down, and then prayed again before I finally opened my mouth. In this particular moment, the words came out choppy and sounded forced. Being strong and courageous doesn’t necessarily mean the words are going to come out perfectly! The point is, they did come out, and each time since it has gotten a little easier.

Perhaps hoping for the fulfillment of a promise hurts. God understands. The Holy Bible says, “hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12 NIV). According to The Outline of Biblical Usage and the Blue Letter Bible, one of the definitions of courage is “strength in the face of pain or grief.” I can be strong and pray even though right now waiting is painful.

The same source (Blue Letter Bible) also gives the following definitions of courage: “make bold, take hold of, prevail upon, to strengthen oneself, or to hold strongly with”. All those definitions tell me that God wants me to grab hold of Him in prayer, and ask Him to move on my behalf. Furthermore, it is not so much asking God to do what I want Him to do. I am asking God to bring to pass something that He has already planned to fulfill.

Today, I would encourage you to not let prolonged waiting, or discouragement that comes from others, cause you to stop praying. Be strong, and let your heart take courage. As it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (ESV), “He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.”

Let’s Pray: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that You are always faithful. If You have placed something on my heart that just won’t let me go, give me faith to believe that You will fulfill it. Do not let me be discouraged when other people seem to doubt what You have clearly shown me. Forgive me if there is unbelief in my own heart, and embolden me to hold these things in believing prayer. As it says in Your Word, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24 NKJV). In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection: “Wait on the Lord” by Donnie McClurkin. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

The only child of a single parent, Aubrey Taylor filled her younger years by creating characters and writing stories. This ended around age sixteen when music, friends and part-time jobs began to fill her time. After that came college, work, marriage, and children. 

It wasn’t until the world was beginning to come out of the COVID pandemic that God led her back to her love for writing, coupled with a passion she’d always had for history. It was time to start a new adventure! Her current long-term project is Gott Mit Uns, a German-perspective 20th century historical fiction series.

Aubrey lives in Upstate New York with her husband and three children. She’s busy keeping the home, caring for her family, doing research for and writing her books.

Aubrey enjoys music and is involved with the worship ministry at her church as well as a German choral group. She also plays gigs occasionally with friends as a singer and acoustic guitarist. After all that, she finds time to sketch, craft, and hike.

She is a lover of Jesus Christ, The Holy Bible, history, German culture, tea, and cats.

Aubrey has a special heart for those who struggle with severe anxiety, depression and PTSD.

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Connect with Aubrey:
Website: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com
Blog: https://www.aubreytaylorbooks.com/blog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aubreytaylorbooks/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/aubtaybooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aubreytaylorbooks/