Back in the day, my brothers and I would have tons of people over at the house playing video games in our room, which my dad always hated. I had this friend Geoff, who I looked up to mainly because he was really good at basketball. We were conversing about what we would do if we saw someone about to get shot. Without hesitation, I said, “I’d take the bullet for them” Geoff looked at me perplexed and asked, “why?” and all I could say was, “it’s the right thing to do.” He went on to tell me I was out of my mind to want to do something like that, especially for someone I didn’t know. It was always inherently in me to want to protect others, but WHY? Even now I feel the urge to get envolved when I feel someone is being unfairly treated and you know what? I’m truly happy God created me this way.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” -Deuteronomy 31:6-

I remember in the 5th Grade, I was being bullied by this kid. We’ll just call him Vega. For months this kid just singled me out, and I didn’t have the confidence to tell him to leave me alone. Then one day after school, he went after my younger brother, and I snapped. I became a ball of protective fury and let my fist fly. I was just swinging until school officials had to come to pull me off him. When it was over, my brother looked at me like I was his hero. Vega did not stop bugging me immediately, but he stopped when I constantly stood up to him. It has Been many years since that incident, and throughout those years, I have had to stand up to people for the sake of myself and others. I believe that it is a necessity that we protect those who cannot defend themselves. God has continuously done so for his people across time, whether by giving them courage or striking fear in the enemy’s heart. I shared this story because God gave me the courage to stand up to my tormentor, though I probably should have just spoken up instead of turning into Rocky Balboa. The strength to use the courage that the Lord gave me at that moment has never left me, the same way God has never left me.

“The Lord who delivered me form the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver from the hands of this Philistine.” Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.” -1 Samuel 17:37-

A tried and true reference for overcoming fear and adversity is, of course, when David took down Goliath. I was never like David; this man, throughout his life, has always had the bravery he needed. I’m going to be 100% honest I’m not fighting any wild animal if I can help it, But David was different. Most of us know that He brought a slingshot to a sword fight, and in any other circumstance, that would’ve meant his death. Yet, while facing a situation that seemed impossible he was confident in the face of real danger. Not because he was so skilled with a slingshot but because he believed that the God of creation was with him and has never departed from him. In my own life, I’ve been afraid of many things; failure is chief among them. That fear of failure bullied me and kept me from even trying, but as I began to lean into the Lord and his promise from Psalms 32:8, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” This has given me the courage to forge through any fear. Whether I succeed or not is not important, but trusting God to get me through is. My family seeing me hold on to God’s word to help face my fears, protects them from having to deal with the same fear later on. David stood up to a 9-foot giant who defied God so he could protect Israel. This inspires me to overcome reservations I have about the feared outcome of any situation. Jesus has given us all we’ll ever need to be strong and courageous.

Thank you for taking the time this week to read this post; you are and will always be appreciated. I would like to take this time to shout out my brothers Looby and Odeson, and my sister Bertha who had birthdays this month. May God continue to bless you. Be well God bless and keep Chasing God’s Way/ve.