“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires courage.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Defeated

Some days it feels as if no matter what I do, I cannot do anything right for there is ALWAYS that critic in the crowd making sure I know what they think.

Deflated

Unfortunately, most days, I believe the critics -- whether the shout or whisper.

Dejected

And when I believe those voices, the hope is sucked right out of me as if someone attached a vacuum cleaner to my heart, flipped the switch, and let her rip; let the vacuum pull all the hope completely out of my core.

… but I’m not letting go that easy…

This hope within me must endure despite the storms raging around me, despite the battle being fought over me, and just when it seems like all hope could quite possibly disappear…

Enter the muster seed bit of faith.

Enter courage.

Enter Jesus.

Jesus answered them, "Do you finally believe? In fact, you're about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. But I'm not abandoned. The Father is with me. I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world." John 16:32-33

"His left arm is under my head, and His right arm embraces me." Song of Solomon 2:6