avatar
Phillipa Williams
avatarPhillipa Williams3 min read  

The Courage to Start Back at One

PRESS ON!

Every year between summer and fall, there comes a moment where I sense something in the wind prompting me to begin what I am calling my "human hibernation".

It tells me to get my affairs in order,

reinforce my spiritual foundations,

be about my business,

prepare mentally, physically, even emotionally for a lean winter.

Be mindful of the comfort I seek to get through the cold.

But it has not happened yet.

Maybe it is climate change. A long summer.

Me.

With our world as it is today, I cannot keep looking to be provoked into preparation by outside influences.

Even the most seasoned of saints have those moments where in the words of Bishop T. D. Jakes, "With every new level, we start back at one."

Nothing can compel us like the Holy Spirit within us.

From Warrior to Wisdom

Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. The People of Israel listened obediently to him and did the same as when God had commanded Moses. ~Deuteronomy 34:9, New International Version

We hear a lot of encouragement for Joshua when it comes to becoming the leader of Israel. First God, then Moses continued to compel Joshua to be "strong and courageous" even though as a warrior and Moses' aide, Joshua had well proven himself to be capable of leading armies to victory.

So why would God compel a fearless and powerful fighter to be "strong and courageous"?

Perhaps because it was his time to start back at one.

Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. The People of Israel listened obediently to him and did the same as when God had commanded Moses. ~Deuteronomy 34:9, New International Version

His warrior's prowess could lead an army, but not a people. Only wisdom could do that.

Is it your time to start back at one?

Perhaps it is time to embrace what God has instilled in you for the future versus depending on what worked in the past.

Starting Back at One

It takes courage to start again, to make what has brought you success secondary and what God is igniting in you primary. We have to be courageous enough to embrace the change and strong enough to move the needle.

Your season is changing. Time to fight different. The more within you today will possesses the land, not the victories behind you.

Courage provokes progress. Time to start back at one.

Get your affairs in order.

Reinforce your spiritual foundations.

Be about your business.

Prepare mentally, physically, even emotionally for a change of season and be mindful of the comfort you seek to get through the cold.

Be strong and courageous not for who you have been but for who you are becoming.

Let the wisdom of God be your guide as you start back at one.

And remember I love you, but God loves you more.

“Be strong and courageous,...

~Joshua 1:6

PHILLIPA WILLIAMS

Author | Founder | Ministry Coach

We break cycles here.

godnme.org Part of Feedspot.com's 2023 "Top 10" for "Best Black Christian Blogs and Websites" and "Spiritual Blogs and Websites"

Give

Subscribe to the Daybreak Devotions for Women

Be inspired by God's Word every day! Delivered to your inbox.

More from Phillipa Williams

  • avatarPhillipa Williams
    featureImage

    Are You Safe? Understanding the Power of Repentance

    Because the Lord is my shepherdI have everything I need, ~From the song, "Safe in His Arms" by Rev. Milton Brunson & The Thompson Community Singers Recently, I thought back on this gospel hit from my teenage years and asked myself... How can we be safe in His arms if we are not close? We can't. So, what keeps us close to God? Repentance. Sounds simple, but it never is because of what pulled us away in the first place. Sin. You and Sin Sin's sole purpose is to manipulate your relationship with Go

    4 min readRepentanceSin
  • avatarPhillipa Williams
    featureImage

    God Sees You.

    Every weight.All of it.He saw your shame.He felt your pain.He knows it hurt then and still hurts now.He sees you even as you suffer.A Dream DeferredWhat happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?~The poem "Harlem" by Langston HughesSandwiched between the Harlem riots of the 1930's and 40's and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, Langston brilliantly pens the collective yet intimate hopelessness of a people whose aspirations of a new beginning never make it to term. Aaron, commanded by God not to grieve but continue his priestly duties after losing two of his sons due to an unholy sacrifice, understood living with a loss.Do we?The Father witnesses every trial we go through, paying special attention to how we respond.Do I drawer nearer to God's presence, or turn away in times of pain?Am I quick to take matters into my own hands, or let God be God?Elizabeth has me thinking...Lay Down Every WeightWhat seemed like a loss to others for both Aaron and Elizabeth became a dream deferred but come true when God saw them each press through pain for the sake of his purpose. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” ~Luke 1:25 NIVI wonder what could we accomplish if we worried less about views from man and more about how we are seen by God?There is a favor that awaits us on the other side of suffering and service, and it begins with God seeing us and how we wait:Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying,“God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”?Don’t you know anything?

    4 min readPoem
  • avatarPhillipa Williams
    featureImage

    Thank you.

    ~Philippians 1:3, New International VersionI cannot believe we are only 6 months shy of GOD 'n Me's fifth anniversary...What a ride!As we transition our days from the Thanksgiving season and into Christmas, I wanted to take a few moments to express my gratitude for you walking this journey with me. being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 1:6, NIV It is Heaven's desire that each of us do magnificent exploits in the earth, so join me in the coming weeks as we close out the year with an intimate look at the relationship between words and divine destiny.I can't wait! And again, thank you for sharing life with me. May the coming days inspire us all to speak life into dead places, living as the voice of God revealed and not concealed.I love you, but God loves you more.PHILLIPA WILLIAMSAuthor | Speaker | Ministry CoachWe break cycles here.About PhillipaAUTHOR | NON-PROFIT FOUNDER MINISTRY COACH LOVER OF CHOCOLATE Phillipa Williams has dedicated her life to building God’s kingdom.

    3 min readThankfulness
See all from Phillipa Williams

Editor's Picks

avatar

Phillipa Williams

More from Phillipa Williams

  • avatarPhillipa Williams
    featureImage

    Are You Safe? Understanding the Power of Repentance

    Because the Lord is my shepherdI have everything I need, ~From the song, "Safe in His Arms" by Rev. Milton Brunson & The Thompson Community Singers Recently, I thought back on this gospel hit from my teenage years and asked myself... How can we be safe in His arms if we are not close? We can't. So, what keeps us close to God? Repentance. Sounds simple, but it never is because of what pulled us away in the first place. Sin. You and Sin Sin's sole purpose is to manipulate your relationship with Go

    4 min readRepentanceSin
  • avatarPhillipa Williams
    featureImage

    God Sees You.

    Every weight.All of it.He saw your shame.He felt your pain.He knows it hurt then and still hurts now.He sees you even as you suffer.A Dream DeferredWhat happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over— like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode?~The poem "Harlem" by Langston HughesSandwiched between the Harlem riots of the 1930's and 40's and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's, Langston brilliantly pens the collective yet intimate hopelessness of a people whose aspirations of a new beginning never make it to term. Aaron, commanded by God not to grieve but continue his priestly duties after losing two of his sons due to an unholy sacrifice, understood living with a loss.Do we?The Father witnesses every trial we go through, paying special attention to how we respond.Do I drawer nearer to God's presence, or turn away in times of pain?Am I quick to take matters into my own hands, or let God be God?Elizabeth has me thinking...Lay Down Every WeightWhat seemed like a loss to others for both Aaron and Elizabeth became a dream deferred but come true when God saw them each press through pain for the sake of his purpose. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.” ~Luke 1:25 NIVI wonder what could we accomplish if we worried less about views from man and more about how we are seen by God?There is a favor that awaits us on the other side of suffering and service, and it begins with God seeing us and how we wait:Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying,“God has lost track of me. He doesn’t care what happens to me”?Don’t you know anything?

    4 min readPoem
  • avatarPhillipa Williams
    featureImage

    Thank you.

    ~Philippians 1:3, New International VersionI cannot believe we are only 6 months shy of GOD 'n Me's fifth anniversary...What a ride!As we transition our days from the Thanksgiving season and into Christmas, I wanted to take a few moments to express my gratitude for you walking this journey with me. being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 1:6, NIV It is Heaven's desire that each of us do magnificent exploits in the earth, so join me in the coming weeks as we close out the year with an intimate look at the relationship between words and divine destiny.I can't wait! And again, thank you for sharing life with me. May the coming days inspire us all to speak life into dead places, living as the voice of God revealed and not concealed.I love you, but God loves you more.PHILLIPA WILLIAMSAuthor | Speaker | Ministry CoachWe break cycles here.About PhillipaAUTHOR | NON-PROFIT FOUNDER MINISTRY COACH LOVER OF CHOCOLATE Phillipa Williams has dedicated her life to building God’s kingdom.

    3 min readThankfulness
See all from Phillipa Williams