Myrna Conrad

Be of Good Courage - Pray:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:6

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27

There are so many things in this world and in our individual worlds that are out of our control and can cause fear to seize our thoughts. However, God tells us to come to Him and receive peace throughout His Word. Fear changes to peace when we cover our fears in prayer.

God Patiently Helps Us:

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with His hand.”
Psalm 37:23-24

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:13

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23

I love videos of parents watching their child take their first few steps. The little one takes those first few steps that parents have waited for and then wobbles and sits down. But everyone cheers like he or she has finished a race. I think that is a picture of God as He watches us grow in our faith. We take steps toward righteousness and then we wobble and fall. He takes our hand, picks us up and helps us try again. His patience is amazing and I believe He cheers each step we take in walking towards Him.

Run To Finish Strong:

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-26

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7

Many people watched the 2026 Winter Olympics over the last few weeks. None of those athletes got where they were without a lot of hard work. As Christians, our goal should always be to put in whatever pain, time, work and dedication it takes to finish strong for our Lord. Just like these athletes, we need a coach to train and guide us. We can’t do it on our own. God has given us His Spirit to do just that. We are not in this race alone but we must do our part to finish strong.