Take Courage My Heart
July 24' Reflections: Getting My Fight Back, July Reading Recap, + My Monthly Roundup
Here we are at the ending and beginning of another month. And to be honest, not much has changed from the last month. If anything, things have been exacerbated. However, even so, I’ve been working my way to get out of this slump. I shared more about what I’ve been doing to lift myself out of this mood in my most recent (Joy)Cap.
But it hasn’t been easy. Our family has been walking through some tough stuff. In some ways, it’s feels a cycle, a cyclone that keeps sucking us, drawing us deeper into disappointment and threatening despair. In efforts to board up my heart and protect it from this storm, I’ve been checking out more than I like to admit, but by grace, the Holy Spirit has been knocking, gently coaxing me back into His presence.
The other day, I was reading Fruitful1, Crossway’s devotional on the fruits of the Spirit. I’m currently in the section on peace, which couldn’t be more timely. The entry I read was “Peace Comes from Trust” written by contributing writer, Courtney Doctor. In the entry, Courtney shares that there is a connection between peace and trust. As believers, peace is available for those whose trust God, and as a natural consequence, those who trust God will experience peace. Courtney asserts, “If we want to have peace in life’s sufferings and sorrows, then whatever we trust in must be stronger than the trial we face.” However, as she shared, and we all know, trusting in the Lord isn’t easy; it requires work, or in other words, effort, that at times is a fight to put in. And to be honest, I haven’t felt like fighting. I’ve been feeling more like acquiescing. Not quitting, but accepting defeat.
I found myself losing motivation or the willingness to try, because as King Solomon ruminated, it’s all meaningless anyways!2 I was tempted to adopt this as my excuse, but then I was remined that as a believers, we don’t have to accept defeat, because we know Who already won.
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
- John 16:33 NLT)
In this, I am reminded of Paul’s words as he reminds us of God’s presence and the gospel hope we have, even in the midst of our fragility and suffering,
“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.
We are perplexed, not driven to despair.
We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.
We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.”
- 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9
Yes, we may be getting swept up in the cyclones of life, and although powerful, the storms will not take us out. We have to trust the God who commands and controls the winds and waves. With every word, thought, and action, we have to remember His track record, declaring His trustworthiness and faithfulness. This is the foundation of our fight song.
So that’s where I am as we wrap up and being another month. Fighting, trusting, and believing — working my way out of this slump, slowly but surely, every day choosing to take hold of the hard-won victory that is already mine.
Books 📚
The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderband. This was my first Elin Hilderband novel. I ended up picking it up on a whim at the library at the end of June after seeing it highlighted on one of the library’s kiosks, and I was pleasantly surprised! This story follows Hollis Shaw, a food blogger, who is putting together a five-star weekend for five of her best girlfriend’s following her husband’s death. I loved everything about this, especially the mouth watering details of the food and the scandals that took place in the lives of these five women. This is the perfect beach read if you’re looking for one on friends, food, and love.
Love & Other Words by Christina Lauren. This is probably contending for my favorite book of the year. I wanted to abandon all my responsibilities to be lost in Macy and Elliot’s love story. The way that Elliot loved Macy with an all consuming love — even as a teenager?! The empathy, perceptiveness, and care he showed toward Macy was everything and has won him the coveted spot as my book boyfriend.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry. I have now completed all the books in the Emily Henry Universe, and I have to say that Book Lovers is my favorite! It reminds me of a cheeky Hallmark movie but with some substance. I love the nod to small-town romance tropes as the main character, Nora, completes a bucket list of activities to secure her own small-town romance. I also love me some good banter between a female and male main character, and that’s what you get with this book.
These were just some of my favorites. I read 18 books this month. For a full list of what I read, check out my July reading recap or my Goodreads.
July 24' Reading Recap
Podcasts 🎧
I was really blessed by this conversation with Sarah Jakes Roberts and Adrienne Bailon-Houghton from Sarah’s Power Moves Tour. After years of having a successful career in the entertainment industry, Adrienne shares how she was led to pivot, reinvent her image, and prioritize her faith and family during this season of motherhood. I grew up listening to 3LW and watching her on the Cheetah Girls and The Real, and I love seeing how her faith has evolved over the years.
In this short and succinct episode, Hunter and her team read through the psalms of thanksgiving that help us express gratitude, even during seasons of longing and waiting. Sometimes we just need a reminder that God is good even when life isn’t. This episode encourages us to remember God for who He is and all that He has done.
Throughout the month, I love to post notes, reflections, or other resources that I find encouraging or helpful. Make sure you download the Substack app so you don’t miss out on new notes, chats, and threads.
Catch up on July Posts
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See Ecclesiastes 1:2-3
I have been really into reading Lamentations this year. I feel like when going through a storm sometimes I just need to be sad for awhile and get those feelings out and then I can get toward peace and trust.