Don’t Back Down.

Have you ever walked into a meeting, feeling the palpable tension in the room — difficult dynamics and confusion? Or entered an event with a pit in your stomach knowing someone there was ever-ready to antagonize? Ever experienced a confounding – even dramatic – situation that could easily have been pleasant?

Some situations and relationships cause us to ask ourselves and God a lot of questions, like… Why? Why does it have to be like this? How do I navigate this? Should I even bother showing up? Or should I just give up and throw in the towel ? Maybe I should back down?

I have admittedly thrown in the towel on some pretty major things in my past because it felt easier. But the Lord has been developing spiritual and mental fortitude in me. And today, I feel led to encourage you with this:

Step up. Don’t back down. God is preparing a way for you.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:5-6).

You have everything you need walking into that environment. He has prepared a place for you. And His goodness, love, and protection are far greater and longer lasting than the antagonism you are up against.

Don’t be bullied out of your calling. Do not forfeit your calling to quiet your nervous system, or those loud voices used by the enemy. Choose to hear the voice of God, your Father and Lord, louder than the antagonism of the enemy.

Trust God more than you fear the enemy.

God says you can. The enemy says you can’t. But, make no mistake, God is more powerful. Jesus conquered death and has the victory over all. And so do you when you yield to the Lord and look for His approval only.

So, be brave. Be confident, knowing God’ love and goodness follows you everywhere — in that meeting, at that event, in that encounter. He has called you to show up, and He is making a way for you.

So pull up to the table, knowing you have access to the wisdom of God in that moment by yielding to and drawing from the Holy Spirit. The Lord is available to you in that moment through His Spirit, and you lack absolutely nothing with His love in and around you.