The Courage to Rise Into What God Has Already Prepared

As the year begins to wind down, reflection seems to come naturally. We look back on what we carried, what stretched us, what surprised us, and what quietly shaped us. We also begin to look ahead, imagining what the next year might hold and wondering if we are ready for it.

When I reflect on this year, one word keeps rising to the surface: courage.

This has been a year that required courage to embrace and courage to release. Courage to begin new things and courage to stop what no longer aligned. Courage to stay the course when the work felt heavy and courage to rest when pushing harder was not the answer. It has been a year of learning to follow the rhythm of grace God has been forming in my life, even when that rhythm asked me to slow down, speak honestly, or make difficult decisions.

And in the middle of all that courage, God has been reminding me of something steady and grounding. None of this is random. None of it is wasted. There are things He has already prepared for us to walk into.

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-10

These verses belong together. Verse 9 reminds us that God has prepared things beyond what we could imagine. Verse 10 reminds us that those things are not hidden from us forever. They are revealed through His Spirit.

This is where courage and clarity meet.

God does not ask us to walk blindly into the unknown. He reveals His will, His timing, and His next steps through His Spirit. Not always all at once, but enough for obedience. Enough for trust. Enough for the next step.

This is the mindset of advantage.

We are not guessing our way forward.

We are being led.

Courage does not mean we have everything figured out. It means we trust the Spirit of God who reveals what we need to know when we need to know it. It means we believe that what God has prepared can be walked in because He is committed to revealing it to us.

This year taught me that courage often looks quieter than expected. It looks like choosing alignment over urgency. It looks like making space for rest. It looks like planning for the future even when some days feel heavy. It looks like trusting that the Spirit of God is guiding each step, even when the full picture is still unfolding.

As we come to the close of this year, the invitation is simple but profound.

Trust what God has prepared.

Trust that His Spirit is revealing what you need.

And rise with courage into the next step He places before you.

Midweek Pause

Take a few quiet moments to slow down and listen.

• Pause and Breathe

  Take a slow breath in.Exhale gently. Let your body settle as you remember God is present.

  
  

• Return to the Word

  Read 1 Corinthians 2:9–10 again, slowly. Notice which phrase stands out to you today.

  
  

• Listen with Intention

  Ask quietly, “Holy Spirit, what are You revealing to me right now?”

  
  

• Choose Courage

  Say quietly,“I trust what God has prepared, and I trust the Spirit who reveals it to me.”

Rest in that truth before returning to your day.

Prayer

God, thank You for preparing the way ahead of me and for revealing Your truth through Your Spirit. As I reflect on this year and look toward the next, help me walk with courage, obedience, and trust. Teach me to listen, to follow, and to rise into what You have already prepared. Amen.