God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.   2 Timothy 1:7

I worked in social work for a while, where I sometimes found it intimidating to openly express my Christian beliefs. Once, a colleague told me about some health problems his daughter was experiencing. Instead of telling this man that I would pray for his daughter, I told him I would “think a good thought.”  That evening at home, as I remembered what I’d said, I felt ashamed for not expressing my faith. I knew that my shallow words grieved God.  The following day, I went back and told him I was sorry for not saying what I’d really wanted to say, that I would pray for his daughter. To my surprise the man smiled, telling me that he too was a believer!  What a blessing I would have missed had I not confessed my beliefs! Now not only do I know the peace of having taken a stand for my faith; I also have the joy of fellowship with another believer.

Heavenly Father, give us the courage today to speak about our faith in you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.