Be Courageous and Brave

Breathtaking, I thought. I stopped the car and got out in awe to appreciate the row of cherry blossom trees in full bloom pink. As I returned to my car and continued my travels, I thanked God as brilliant yellow daffodils dotted the highway, yards of lush green grass patterned neighborhoods, and multi-colored pansies decorated a woman’s front garden. God must absolutely love color, I thought. He sure paints our world in the Spring! 

Spring is God’s reminder that He makes everything new. And new is brilliantly colorful, full of good surprises and rich beauty. In the same way Spring leaves the often cold, dark, gloom of winter behind, we need to be willing to leave our past troubles and trials behind. We sing, “Up from the grave He arose” on Easter Sunday symbolizing Jesus’ rising from the dead to new life and promising us the same.  

But as my husband reminds me, we can’t reach out and grab something new until we acknowledge and release what we clench so tightly in our closed fist. Until we acknowledge the failings of the past, let them go, accept Christ’s forgiveness, and forgive ourselves, we can’t open our hands and life to a new future.

Author Brene Brown writes, “Only when we have the courage to own our history are we able to write a brave new ending to our story.” This Easter Sunday, let’s follow Paul’s example, “ But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14-15)

This Easter Sunday let’s put a stake in the ground. Let’s mark Easter 2024 as the year we are courageous and begin to write a brave new ending to our story by God’s grace and with the Holy Spirit’s power!

If we can pray specifically for you this Easter season, please send an email to info@yourrefreshedlife.com. We also love you and pray faithfully for our Your Refreshed Life family.

May you have a joyous Easter celebration of Christ’s new life in you!