Devotionals for the Heart: How to live by faith with one small step at a time

One Small Step
A devotional by Colleen C. Howard

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”—Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
I think of God’s command to be strong and courageous every time I open the door from my house to the garage. Yes, I’m referring to that giant room attached to your home that stores cars, tools, memories, and perhaps an extra fridge with some snacks.

But when I open the door to my garage all I see is darkness and being courageous is not my first thought. A tinge of fear shivers down my spine as I take my first step into the dark abyss. But the instant my foot hits the floor, light floods the garage as if it’s high noon on a hot summer day. Where is this light coming from? Its seemingly magical appearance is due to the motion-sensor light bulbs installed in our garage.

But in contrast, each morning when my feet hit the floor, I head for the kitchen. Without even thinking about it, I assume the coffee maker will fill my cup, the shower will offer a steady stream of warm water, and of course, the car will start when I turn the key. So, why do I easily place my faith in these conveniences, but sometimes hesitate to trust God? I don’t know about you, but it’s difficult for me to surrender the details of my life without knowing what’s coming next. However, uncertainty is a given when walking down the path of life. When you decide to move forward it takes faith and courage.

Many writers, politicians, and soldiers have described courage as not being the absence of fear, but moving forward in the face of it. Personally, I’m partial to John Wayne’s quote, “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”

When facing big decisions in the midst of a challenging season I know I need to turn to Jesus Christ and ask Him for wisdom. But humans are a complex mixture of faithfulness and fear. We want to trust, but we falter. We have faith, but it wavers. However, Jesus wraps us in His everlasting arms and is with us wherever we go.

But be aware, the enemy wants us to believe otherwise. How do we fight against the enemy’s attack? Take your fears to God and lay them at the foot of the cross. Ask Him to steady your feet, fill you with strength, and give you the courage to step out in faith—one small step at a time. God’s love for humankind is unwavering, and His grace is abundant for us.

Let’s Pray:

Dear God,

We are thankful for your love and provision. You hold us steady and fill us with strength. Shower us with the courage to let go of the fear and step out in faith—one small step at a time. We are in awe of you, the Father of all comfort and mercy. We love You, Lord.

In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

Song of Reflection #1: “Turn to Jesus” by Katy Nichole. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #2: “The Breakup Song” by Francesca Battistelli. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #3: “No Fear” by Jon Reddick. Listen to it here.

Song of Reflection #4: “What If” by Matthew West. Listen to it here.

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Author Bio:

Colleen C. Howard is a Jesus follower, wife, mom, mimi, educator and author. 

She lives with her husband in the beautiful Arizona desert where the sunsets are spectacular, the summers are hot, and the winters are a little slice of heaven. Her two adult children and their families live nearby. She considers it a joy to spend time with her family members!

She is a lifelong educator and co-founder of an educational professional development business. After spending her professional life in education, Colleen retired as the STEM Specialist for a large public school district. As she approached the end of that season, God placed a strong desire in Colleen’s heart to shine a light on God’s presence throughout ordinary days and encourage women in their faith-walk with Jesus Christ.

When asked what makes her faith walk real, Colleen replied, “It isn’t just one thing, but a million little things. Although some days bring trials and others bring joy, it’s never just another day.” She says when you give your heart to Jesus, each new day is another opportunity to walk hand-in-hand with Him and begin to know the heart of God. As you become more aware of His presence, stop, take a breath, and watch what God will do.

Colleen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Arizona State University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.

She has been published online via these websites: Inkspirations, Her View From Home, and Inside Out Worldwide.

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Connect with Colleen:
Website: https://www.authorcolleenchoward.com/