This one’s not really meant for you
Let Your Heart Take Courage
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Be strong, and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for the Lord!
Psalm 31:24 (ESV)
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I find myself in a season when I’m struggling to be patient for the Lord.
Of course, I don’t want to pray for patience (but I will if I feel led by God to do it).
It’s just that, in some ways, I feel a little bit stuck.
It’s hard to be patient when you feel like life is moving past you.
A big part of the struggle is the unknown mistakes. What I mean is, I’ll find myself wondering if I’m stuck because of mistakes I’ve made or if it’s just the place God has for me right now, or is it something else?
Difficult.
Very difficult.
And easy to be discouraged.
So I take comfort in reading a verse like today’s.
I think we would all love for God to give us step-by-step instructions on the exact right path to take … or a big neon sign that shouts, “This Way!”
But that’s an immature desire.
I’ve walked with God for over three decades. I’ve had quiet times since I was a child and I’ve read through the bible over a dozen times.
If anything, I ought to be interacting with God as a mature, spiritual adult.
Which means being patient … dealing with the struggles … trusting that God will work everything out for my good and His glory.
And so I write this as an encouragement to myself.
If it helps you today, well that’s icing on the cheesecake.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2026 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://netbible.com All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NKJV) are from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
