Being Bold

I called, You answered me;, You made me bold and stouthearted!
Psalm 138:3

I have been a Christian nearly my entire life.  I was born into a Godly Christian home and I was saved when I was 5 years old.  I grew up with wonderful Godly parents who did their best to not only teach me right from wrong, but they also taught me WHY things were right/wrong.
When I became an adult, I seriously thought I had it all together...HA!  Was I ever WRONG!!!  I knew alot, but I also realized that I had been sheltered somewhat to "real" problems.

I have so many people that I care about who are struggling with things right now.  I have friends who are facing a marriage breaking up.  I have friends who are facing true financial hardships.  I have friends who are facing life threatening illness.  I have friends who are so deeply hurt from past failures that they seem trapped by satan's lies of unforgiveness.

As a younger person, I wouldn't have known firsthand how to help them.  I would've been there for them, listened to them, encouraged them.  But, in my "older, wiser" years, I have learned that the ONLY GUARANTEED WAY to help them is to BOLD PRAY FOR THEM!  Now, don't get me wrong, I am not saying that being there for them, listening to them, and encouraging them does no good.  I am simply saying that God is teaching me everyday that I HAVE NO CONTROL over the things that are happening around me.  But, I can rest so calmly and safely in the sweet precious truth that MY GOD HAS IT ALL UNDER CONTROL!!!  So, I know that I can BOLDLY bring my heart's desires, hurts, longings, and cares to Him and He will gladly take them and use them to bring Glory to Himself!

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for not only allowing me, but encouraging me to BOLDLY come to You with my life's burdens.  You know the number of hairs on my head (although as fast as they fall out, I don't know how You keep up!).  You see the tiniest bird that falls from the sky.  You care so much!  Thank You!  Give me the passion  and strength to help others with their burdens by bringing them to You too!