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“Lodged in your heart is the power to walk into someone’s life and give him or her what the bright Paul Tillich called ‘the courage to be.’ Can you fathom that? You have the power to give someone the courage to be, simply by the touch of your affirmation.” (Brandon Manning)
A Phrase That Stirred the Soul
I recently read “The Furious Longing of God” by Brennan Manning, and if you haven’t read this, read it! It is a gem and a much-needed message today.
Lately, I’ve been thinking about this phrase: the courage to be. It struck a deep chord within me. Perhaps, by God’s grace, it is something that has begun to blossom.
As I look back on my spiritual journey over the last 20 years, I see a thread of healing. The Master Weaver has been gently weaving. Ultimately, healing is the only way we will ever have the courage to be.
Two Faces of Courage
I believe there are two forms of courage. There is the courage that reacts—born of necessity in moments of fear. On the other hand, there is the courage that rests, born of trust that God stands behind, in front, beside, and within us.
For me, that understanding has come about, and continues today, through the healing of my heart, mind, and spirit. Over time, I’ve come to see that healing unfolds in layers—each drawing us deeper into wholeness.
Healing: Heart, Mind, and Spirit
First, healing of the heart softens what has grown hard, removing the pain and opening our hearts to love.
Next, healing of the mind renews what has grown weary. It transforms our ways of thinking, reshapes our thought patterns, and teaches us to see through a heavenly reality, thereby enabling us to live in abundance rather than scarcity.
Finally, healing of the spirit restores what has grown distant. It draws us into communion with Abba, our Father, and reveals our identity as cherished sons or daughters of the Lord Most High. It is believing that the Creator of the universe made you out of extravagant, incomprehensible love–simply because He delights in you!
The Humility That Opens the Door
The grace offered to us for healing comes daily, yet it requires humility. We must come to realize that we are all in need of healing.
Healing is not a one-time event. It is a lifetime journey that leads us to have the courage to be—the courage to be who God created you to be.
As a result, we find the courage to trust instead of fear, to believe instead of doubt, to hope instead of despair, to love ourselves instead of self-deprecating, and to love others instead of judging.
The courage to love—truly love—because He first loved you.
Becoming Who God Created You to Be
And this courage will allow us to walk into someone’s life—
to speak words that restore,
to pray prayers that heal,
to touch hearts so they remember who they are.
Reflection:
Where in your life might God be inviting you to have the courage to be—not to strive, but to become who you already are through His eyes, and in His love?
2 Responses
I love this article, it strikes all kinds of cords within me. Especially that God heals in layers. It is true that the work
of our healing will never be done until we are finally home with the Lord. But, also, the courage to listen to the
Holy Spirit when he inspires and strengthens us to approach another who needs to hear that the healing-ness of
God is there for each of us. I have recently been moved in just that way to take the grace of courage that is mine
for the asking and reach out. This movement was dramatic…nearly “NOW” no wasting of time. There is an opening
for Grace and only I can be the one to step into it up the heart of another. He prompted me, it is His now…
I also read the Furious Longing of God and it is all marked up, so
many words leapt off the page to me. Thank you and bless you for leading me to this profound author.
Sandy! So much beauty in your words! Yes, we have to be willing and open to receive our healing, so we can share the Lord’s healing with others. Love that you said, ‘yes’ and had the courage to step out.
And yes, my copy of “The Furious Longing of God” is very marked up. What a gem of a book!