NO More Scaredy-Cat

Friends, 

I have had the privilege of getting to know Linda Tang, a mom with a huge heart for the Lord. I know you will be blessed reading about conquering fear with courage! You will feel motivated to pray for this quality for your children when uncertainty, insecurity, and doubt enter their lives. You will be blessed by her words.

Faith, hope, and love,

Lori

Courage: persevering with confidence in spite of difficulty, danger, pain or fear.

The Cowardly Lion wanted it desperately. During The Wizard of Oz, we saw him clutch his tail and wipe his runny nose, sobbing, often running and hiding during outbursts due to his fear and weakness. Expressing fear meant that he was getting closer to unearthing the strength he believed he lacked but was hidden below the surface.

I think all of us have courage in the areas we lack, but sometimes, we don't see it take root until we've traveled a long journey fraught with obstacles--only to discover that the courage we lacked was there all along. 

Often, it's the journey that gives us the opportunity and ability to put courage into play; otherwise known as God's refinement process. 

If all our characteristics are ingredients contributing to who we are, and He is above us mixing them all together, He might be saying, "Hmm, given what I am planning for your life and for eternity, and given I know all that will take place in your life and the plans I have for you, I think you might need more patience, or sensitivity or courage." 

We can trust He knows how much to allow in our lives and what exactly is needed, for His purposes and plans are intentional and the very best for us. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

For our children, courage may look like a lot of different things and may need to come through in many areas. It might be needed when starting a new school and having to make new friends, getting up in front of the class to give an oral report, standing up to someone to defend another, speaking out against a wrong action to declare a truth, not following where the crowd is going...there are countless examples of circumstances where our kids have to face their weakness and sometimes go through a refinement process in order to become stronger, independent and stand on their own two feet. And through that, we have to encourage our children to listen to the Word of God, not the words of the world.

Praying for courage and endurance is a prayer worth praying for our children. 

The practice runs may be painful and challenging, our kids may have to duck and hide behind a tree a few times and you may have to wipe their tears with a tissue (not a tail), but once developed, they will be more equipped with what they need for life’s journeys.  

And... with God as our personal refiner, we can trust that He knows how much we need in order to build that oh-so important attribute. We don’t need a wizard nor a witch—just God and His eternal plan for the road He has marked out for us. Yellow brick or otherwise.

"Dear God, build up _______ to become a person who is strong and courageous because he/she trusts in you. As he/she faces people or circumstances that will test his/her convictions, help him/her not to be paralyzed by them but to always remember that you are with her/him."   

(From: While they Were Sleeping, by Anne Arkins and Gary Harrell)

Recommended Scriptures:

"For my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

"The Spirit helps us in our weakness." (Romans 8:26)

"For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10)

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Linda Tang 

After graduating Syracuse University with a degree in political science and journalism, Linda was hired at Petersen Publishing’s Hunting, Fishing and ‘TEEN Magazines where she began her career in publicity and marketing but kept her creative writing up on the side. She had her first YA Novel published in 2001 entitled, Picture Perfect (Lunchbox Press). From publishing, she went on to work for Miss Universe, Inc., promoting and marketing the MISS USA, MISS UNIVERSE and MISS TEEN USA CBS live telecasts and was later hired as Assistant Marketing Director for TalkRadio 790 KABC-AM where she generated publicity for TalkRadio, KLOS, and ESPN radio stations. 

Now a stay-home-mother and working in her children’s classrooms each week at the Open Classroom Leadership Magnet School, she serves as a group discussion leader at Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and keeps her hand in publicity and marketing on a contractual basis.

Having struggled with the transition from career to motherhood, Linda decided to write a book addressing God’s role in re-establishing a woman’s identity. She is represented by Blythe Daniel Literary Agency in Colorado Springs, CO and speaks at MOPS groups regularly.

You can visit her blog at www.lindawriteson.com and check in on her daily chats at: https://www.facebook.com/ShapingYourIdentityInMotherhood

Linda Tang lives in Southern California with her husband and two daughters.