Category Archives: Courage

If you need courage, these stories will build up your bravery. Take heart, nothing is a match for Jesus. You might be facing rejection, addictions, anger, complacency, fear, temptations, and problems from all side, but Jesus is bigger than your giants.

What we believe about God projects on to what we believe about life. When life throws the punches, have no fear… the Almighty has got this!

Posted on

How Prayer Ignited Our Hope During The Covid Pandemic

At 9-centimeters dilated and laboring, police escorted my support out. Covid-19 was changing hospital protocols by the minute. Heartbroken and tired I was learning the hard way that life in lockdown would look different than the plans we made. 

2020 for my family was like a scene from the movie Cast Away with Tom Hanks and his volleyball friend, Wilson. My husband and I hunkered down at home with days between showers, feeling lost, ignorant, scared, and desperately reaching out for rescue with a newborn in our hands. Being stuck on our own private island wasn’t a fantasy anymore. 

Family canceled flights and friends stayed home. My husband and I were forced to celebrate our little girl alone. The long days in isolation turned into weeks of postpartum tears and despair. We were facing baby battles on the outside and feeling fear on the inside. 

Finding time to read my Bible for encouragement and strength was incredibly difficult. Under a slew of sleepless nights and strenuous, tear-soaked days, my thoughts were growing weary and my role as a mom was feeling heavy. 

In a frantic SOS text, a friend responded, “God equipped you with His Word in all the days leading up to this moment. He knew back then what you would need today. His Word is in you.” The wrestling in my soul went still as I recalled Psalm 23 in my mind: 

“’The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.’” Psalm 23:1-6 ESV

Friend, if you feel yourself drowning under the hardships of life or you feel overwhelmed by the battles you’re up against, draw on what the Lord has planted in you out of this season. Recall His faithfulness in all the moments that brought you here. God was planting His seeds of hope back then to grow in this season you’re in. The Helper is in you and has equipped you with what you need to live in His presence today. 

Everything you need you already have.

During stay-at-home orders, our church started mid-week prayer calls on Zoom to help connect the congregation outside of Sunday online services. Every Wednesday my husband and I logged on to see our spiritual family face to face through the screen and partner with Jesus and the Church in prayer for our city, our nation, its leaders, and the pandemic. It was like a breath resuscitating our dry bones.

In the fabric of our being, we were all created to come to the Father with our praise, our pleas, and to just be. Present. Listening. Longing. Not the kind of self-centered prayers that focus solely on how our situation could be better. Our hearts need to be advocating for the Church with the Church, praying for the lost and those struggling through a pandemic without Jesus. 

The problem was my perspective. Seemingly overnight my heart of gratitude turned into grumbling. I was giving too much attention to what wasn’t working and missing the bigger picture. It’s easy to let emotions consume us in the valley of our circumstances. We might complain, become bitter, and get angry. The enemy deceives us into thinking our pain is too great, our strength too weak, and our burdens too heavy to possibly care for others. What more can we give when everything we have has been taken? 

The world looks a lot smaller when all we can see is our own struggle. When we’re staring at the trenches of our situation, we miss the Truth. I did have more to give. I had gifts of prayer stored up inside. I had songs of worship and blessings to give praise for. 

Prayer and worship are what held my family together when the world was falling apart.

Burying our thoughts in prayer instead of complaints kept us free and moving forward when we felt like giving up. Prayer renewed our minds and our hearts. Prayer was God’s grace and it gave us hope again.

Personally, motherhood turned out to be much different than I had planned. I had to release my grip on what I considered my purpose with work and writing and accept this new assignment in ministry as a full-time stay-at-home mom. This was my lane to run in and thrive. I realized that I can still change the world from here. And that brought me great peace to know that I am fulfilling my purpose and God-appointed assignment.

The global pandemic helped develop my prayer life and taught me to lean in and trust the Lord for perseverance. Marriage and motherhood in lockdown have both taught me to keep my focus on God. They have forced me to spend a lot of time on my knees and to be thankful for the moments I have in God’s Word. The more I pray and the more I seek God’s will, the better my ministry to my family becomes. 

‘Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.’ Psalm 112:4 ESV

© 2021 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

First Published on Empowered Women Faith Club

Posted on

How To Cross-Examine Your Life With The Bible

Taking up your cross

He was given one sentence in scripture but that one line says it all. 

“’As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross.’” Matthew 27:32 ESV

Simon’s final walk with Jesus was no doubt heavy and long and yet carrying His cross offered Simon a very intimate encounter with the Savior of the world.

I wonder if we are missing out on a deeper connection with Jesus when we refuse the crosses that lay in the way of our path in life?

‘Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’ Matthew 16:24 ESV

Just after Jesus foretells his own death and resurrection, He uses this phrase, “take up his [your] cross and follow me” as a command to his followers to dethrone any human desires and self-interests and enthrone His perfect plan and ways.

Practically Speaking

Taking up our cross might be saying ‘no’ to a particular ambition, dream, or career. The cross can be a stronghold or persistent struggle with sin. Our cross is anything that comes between living in complete obedience to Jesus. It is where our will and desires come in direct opposition to God’s will and divine plan. 

For some, the cross might include surrendering television shows or social media scrolling if it’s taking the place of prayer or time with Jesus. Maybe our cross is praying for those who are far from God. In the daily rhythms of life, taking up our cross is often simply setting aside what is most comfortable or convenient and doing the thing that brings the most honor or glory to God.

The cross is dying to ourselves. 

It might be showing compassion to those who are hurting when we don’t share the same views about their pain or perhaps walking away from our busy work to be present with our children. Our cross may be looking past an offense to forgiveness when we don’t want to let go of a grudge because Jesus is never more on display than in our choice to love and forgive.

We cannot say we follow Jesus while we elevate our own self.

As a parent, sacrifice might feel like all we ever do. Maybe as a people-pleaser, saying ‘no’ to ourselves is all we know. Taking up our cross goes beyond our daily submissions. This is a request to look beyond the actual sacrifice and ask ourselves if this surrender points to Jesus. Our crosses in life are what serve to advance the gospel.  

Is there a reflection of Christ in our giving? Does our sacrifice leave an aroma of Christ’s love and hospitality with our spouse, our neighbors, the waiter, or the grocery store clerk?taking up your cross

Staying Surrendered In Your Suffering

Opportunities to take up our cross sit outside of our limits. We might look at our watch for the time to serve or check our wallet for the resources to give, but carrying the cross will always ask for more. That’s why we must partner with Jesus, who sits outside of time and provides all our needs, to help us bear what we cannot do alone. 

For me, I find my cross in what frustrates me the most. When I feel weak or my spirit feels heavy, Jesus reminds me that I’m limping with the cross on my own. It’s important to stay surrendered to Jesus every step of the way in our suffering. He will bear the heavy lifting and persevere us through it. 

As we make difficult choices that reflect Jesus and honor God, the Holy Spirit will chisel away at our character, mature our spiritual development, and work these trials out for our good. We may not be called to missions in a foreign land or daily persecution for our faith, but as followers of Jesus, we all have a cross to take up with Christ. 

If you were given one sentence to summarize your life, what would that line say? Would we read about Jesus and the cross you carried together? Every day we have an incredible opportunity to walk intimately with the King of Kings and be a living sacrifice to a hurting and searching world. Our cross is what we have in common with Jesus.

In Your Life:

Taking up our cross is unselfish living. What excuses do I get trapped in when an opportunity to serve and share Jesus is available?

Sacrifice brings suffering. What am I afraid of when it comes to taking up my cross? 

Taking up my cross goes beyond sacrifice. It’s a deliberate choice to share Jesus. Where is one place I can lean in and listen like Jesus, give or serve like Jesus, and submit to God’s leading today?

 

© 2021 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

First Published on Empowered Women Faith Club

Posted on

How to Change Your Life

The power is in your praise and prayer

When the Covid crisis began last Spring, my husband and I were expecting our first child. Dreams for that glorious day when we would meet our little girl were dashed when we learned of hospital restrictions, airline cancellations, and lockdown procedures. My husband and I were getting a taste of parenthood during a pandemic.

Just over 24 hours after delivering our little one, we were packing up and heading home where there were no visitors waiting, no extra hands to help out, and no hot meals being delivered. Isolated, sleep-deprived, and puzzled by all the unknowns with a newborn, my spirit struggled to call this joy. Streams of postpartum tears were the only expression I had left in me.praise and prayer change your life

About halfway through the book of Acts, we find the apostle Paul in Philippi sharing the good news of Jesus. Paul encountered a slave girl with an evil spirit and he cast the spirit out. This cost the owners of the slave girl some fortune-telling money and they had Paul thrown in jail.

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.” (Acts‬ ‭16:25-26‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

When all is stripped away, we still have everything we need to praise and pray.

Paul lost his freedom but he didn’t let a dark place pull him down. When pressed, Paul responded to his trial with praise and prayer; two things that could never be taken away.

In his difficulty, Paul decided to sing. He didn’t dwell on his dire situation, the darkness, or the detour from his mission, but instead placed his thoughts in a position of praise and prayer.

A change of heart

This summer in the middle of isolation, my pastor stood on the stage of our empty sanctuary and begged the Church not to lose hope. He said, “fatigue is the great enemy of faith.” He urged us to grab a notebook and use entire sheets of paper to write out encouraging reminders to hold fast to our faith. He told us to tape them to our refrigerator where we would see them often. Two of those reminders included “sing a little louder” and “fill me Holy Spirit.”how to praise and pray

For seven months my husband and I kept our reminders up. Daily we drew strength from singing praises and praying for the Holy Spirit to fill us up. We praised God for delivering a miracle and we prayed for the eyes to see it. We praised God for providing for our family and prayed for opportunities to share it. We praised God for our spiritual family and prayed for those living without it. Those praises and prayers purified our own hearts.

Praise and prayer are two of the most powerful privileges we possess that no circumstance can take away.

My heart, and my words, changed when I chose to live life from a place of praise despite the question marks looming over my circumstance. My prayers went from “save me, God” to “I trust you, Jesus.”

There is rest in my soul knowing the Lord will not let even the changing of a single dirty diaper go to waste. He is chiseling my character out of the trials of motherhood.

Friend, if you have stumbled into a dark place or are struggling through a difficult season, my hope is that your spirit will be lifted when you think about who Jesus is and how much He has saved you and me from. May you find the strength to lead your days and all the moments in between with praise. I pray you will find the courage to sing a little louder to our Creator, our Savior, our Truth, and Light. God sees you. He knows your situation. And He longs to be gracious to you. May you lean into His love with your prayers and rest in the assurance that He’s got you in the palm of His hands. And may your heart stay ready for the “immediately” or “suddenly” that typically follows close behind.

So where will you start with your praise? Your health? Your home? Our Faithful Father? Our Savior, Jesus?

What are you holding control of that needs to be surrendered in prayer? The choices your children make? The way your spouse expresses love? How a friend, family member, or neighbor responds or doesn’t respond to your request?

Not sure your prayers are making it to heaven? Here’s an article to remind you of the power behind a common man’s prayer: https://trishakeehn.com/the-miracle-in-a-common-mans-prayer/

© 2020 by Trisha Keehn. All rights reserved.

First Published on Empowered Women Faith Club

Posted on

Hurt Will Convince Us To Hide

‘When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.’ John 11:20 NIV

When a worshipper’s heart is broken by life, the natural response is to bunker down the hatches. Nothing makes us feel so out of control like the disappointments life carries. During the unstable moments in life, confusion might have us hiding in an attempt to hold onto what’s left until we feel safe and secure again.

resurrection, hiding

When her beloved brother died, Mary was confused. How could the miracle-working Jesus let this happen? While her sister Martha ran to meet Jesus, Mary stayed home. What was the use? Death had swept through her house and stolen what she loved.

Jesus didn’t give a reason for Lazarus’s death. He simply asked Martha to believe in His ability to raise dead things to life.

We don’t have to have the answers when we believe Jesus holds the power to resurrect hope and joy in our lives again.

What circumstances are you struggling to make sense of? Everyone reaches for something when it seems God is silent. Where are you hiding or finding refuge in the storm?

Jesus, I believe you are the resurrection and the life. I trust You with everything I hold dear, even when good things die and my heart is broken. I still choose Your timing in Your ways because that is what will most glorify You, God.

Posted on

When your life feels off course

Three ways to stay the course with God when we feel stuck in life.

Have you ever felt stuck in life? A dream job on hold. A relationship strained. A plateau in your goals. Or it might be financial burdens, chronic illness, or watching a loved one make poor choices.

In Acts 27, the apostle Paul is taken prisoner for sharing the gospel and placed on a boat bound for Rome to stand trial. Before the crew could get too comfortable, a violent storm sprang up. The ship eventually broke apart and every man onboard was stuck on the remote island of Malta for a long winter. Paul’s faith literally led him to a storm.

Unfortunately, faith doesn’t prevent storms in our lives.

It can be difficult to reconcile God’s unfailing love for us when the storms of life throw us off course. This isn’t how we planned it, so now what do we do?

Paul shows us three ways to stay the course with God when we feel stuck in life.

  1. Surrendering to the detours is God’s grace period for you to grow.

So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island. Acts 27:25-26 NIV

Paul encouraged others with God’s Word. Even when it feels like we’re off course, God can still get us where He wants us to go. Paul is going to get to Rome, but first God has him here on an island. God is developing your character today for life just ahead. Remembering that Jesus is always standing guard for your good can help silence any grumbling.detours, grace, trishakeehn.com

2. “Snakes” happen, just shake them off.

Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. Acts 28:3,5 NIV

When his unfortunate situation went from bad to worse, Paul could have become bitter and sunk his thoughts deep into despair. Even the islanders knew a snake bite could result in death. Instead, he shook it off and moved on with a mission to share Christ with others. We can move beyond our feelings so that the testimony of Jesus remains center stage of our circumstances.

3. No matter where you are, God’s presence and power are accessible.

Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. Acts 28:7-9 NLT

Paul had hoped to be in Rome, but right now, Paul was on the island of Malta. So Paul shared the gospel, prayed for the sick, and healed a man. Despite being a prisoner of his own circumstances, Paul allowed God’s power to move through him to help others.

Are you in a season of waiting?

We have a choice when we feel shipwrecked or when God takes us on a detour. We can sit and wait in misery to get off the island or we can make the most of where God has us. Instead of moping about his shipwreck in Malta, Paul turned the island into his ministry, his personal assignment from God.

How will you respond to your detour?

For additional teaching, check out When God Doesn’t Make Sense—a series for when life doesn’t go the way you expect.

I’m on this journey with you.

Posted on

Prisoners of Hope

Zechariah, Zechariah 9:12, prisoner of hope

Zechariah, Zechariah 9:12, prisoner of hope

We are Prisoners of Hope!

We look at our circumstances and expect Jesus to enter in. We don’t panic in the storm because He gave us a promise. He is our Strong Tower, our stronghold in the storm.

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Our days are not dictated by the moods of other people. God is here in our midst and calms us with His love.

Posted on

Is Fear A Sin?

Just ask Jonah

fear, sin, jonah,

We don’t discipline our children for being afraid. When we flip back through the pages of scripture, we don’t see fear showing up as one of the Seven Deadly Sins. So is living afraid even bad? Is fear a sin?

“Do not fear” is one of God’s most frequently repeated instructions in the bible. Have you ever considered why?  

When fear takes the lead in our lives, it often causes us to disobey God’s Word.

If fear leads to disobedience, is fear a sin?

Jonah’s story is a testament to what fear will lead us to do. God told Jonah to go to Ninevah and tell the city that God is bringing His judgment on their wickedness. Jonah’s fear took control and he ran from God’s request. Jonah’s paralyzing fear led him away from his purpose, God’s calling on his life.

Our choices have significant consequences. The emotionally uncomfortable, conflicting feelings of fear can keep us from the high calling God has placed upon our lives. We might struggle with the fear of commitment, the risk of being hurt, and so we hold back emotionally and stay away from relationships. We might be afraid of the expectations of others so we refrain from speaking the truth.  

Fear disrupts faith and becomes our biggest obstacle to trusting and obeying God.

Moses let fear make a few decisions in his life. Being a slave to fear can keep us from an opportunity to discover that God can be trusted.

When we feel called by God to act, our fears can hold us back. Fear can keep us from acknowledging reality, from speaking the truth, from being authentic with others, from admitting struggles, sharing our pain, and standing up for what is right. When we focus on our fear, we end up elevating our feelings above God’s ability and ultimately, we forget all about God’s faithfulness.

Fear might be the number one reason we are tempted to run from what God has called us to do.

If fear leads to disobedience, is fear a sin? Trust and fear are constantly battling for our decisions.

If you live in fear, you will never experience the potential that God has placed in you.

When you choose fear, you lose the opportunity to discover that God can be trusted. Any kind of growth inside you is going to involve risk, and risk always involves fear. You will have to face your fear, act even when you are afraid if you intend to do what God has created you to do.

We will all have moments when we must choose between trust and fear. Where is Jesus asking you to step out, step up, step into the face of fear? What is holding you back? There are good fears that keep us from reckless choices, but your ‘no’ because of fear shouldn’t keep you from saying ‘yes’ to faith.

Use your fear and fight back in faith. Click here for a tool I created to help your faith grow the next time a fear presents itself. 

Posted on

Use F.E.A.R. To Fight Back

F.E.A.R., use fear to fight back

Taking on challenges builds the core of who you are, even if it’s not done perfectly. Your greatest fears can be a threshold to God’s greatest transitions in life. The next time life throws a scary situation your way, use F.E.A.R. to fight back.

We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 2 Corinthians 10:4 NLTF.E.A.R., use fear to fight back

F

Filter your fear through God’s truth to equip your mind with a bold spirit and to expose the enemy’s lies. Feed your spirit daily with God’s encouraging Truth. Surround yourself with uplifting music and positive people. This will push your fears out of mind and replace your thoughts with His thoughts. You are more than your feelings. You are a powerful, wise, beloved child of God, and you can do whatever you need to do in life through Christ, who is your strength.

Fear says ‘what if… what if… what if…’ Faith says, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life…” Psalm 23:6 NIV

E

Expect God to work for your good and ultimately, His glory. Expect Him to show up, to step in, and to act with justice and mercy. Increase your determination and be willing to fail, then use failure as a teacher. When we live expecting God to intervene, we must be careful not to limit our confidence by our own agenda or understanding.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to the king’s image. These three Hebrew boys expected their God to come through. And He did, in the furnace.

When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames shall not set you ablaze… Do not be afraid for I will be with you. Isaiah 43:2-3, 5 NIV

A

Act with courage. Live willing and available to move, to reach out, to speak up. For someone who wrestles with worry and doubt and yet still obeys, trembling but trusting- that is true courage.

C.S. Lewis reminded us that courage is not the absence of fear but acting in spite of it. Everyday ordinary people take steps to accomplish extraordinary things while they still feel the fear.

Sometimes we see heroes of faith and think they have it all figured out. Brave people don’t stop hearing the whispers of fear. They hear the whispers and take action anyway. God asks us to do things afraid so that we will lean into Him with faith.

R

Remember God’s faithfulness. Recount the stories in scripture and in your own life where God has come through before. This is what David did when faced with the giant, Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17, David remembers God‘s faithfulness when the enemy looked like a lion and a bear. David concludes if God rescued him before, He will surely do it again.

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Hebrews 13:6 ESV

Be assured that the same God, the same power available to you is the same one that raised Christ from the dead.

He will never leave you nor forsake you.

LORD, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1 NIV

The only way to live a fearless life is to live looking to God.

The next time you are taunted with the flames of fear, use F.E.A.R. to refocus. When you filter fear through God’s Truth, expect Him to work for your good, act with courage, and remember God’s faithfulness, you will have the confidence to stand strong. Be willing to feel the fear and do what you need to do anyway because facing fear will help your faith grow.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Philippians 4:8 NIV

Posted on

Faith is more than a feeling

You can’t get confused if you refuse to get into reasoning. Faith trusts God and doesn’t need to know why. Our faith thrives when we don’t have the answers.

The Bible reminds us that we don’t lean on our own understanding but live our lives guided by God’s instructions.

God never intended us to know why things happen the way they do. Be careful that you don’t allow your desire for answers keep you straining and struggling in a sea of confusion. He created us to be devoted to Him. Faith is standing firm with a focus on His Word. Faith is persevering in praise to Him when adversity strikes. When the voice of the enemy comes to fight, faith rests in the all-sufficiency of Christ.

It takes greater faith to be denied what you want and love the Author, our Creator, just as much. thoughts on life, thought life, which direction are you heading