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The stack of textbooks grew until she could barely see over the top.

My mother vividly remembers her first day of nursing training. Each instructor took a turn standing in front of the class to introduce her course, hand out another thick book, and give an assignment. At that moment, the farm girl from northern Minnesota wanted to go home. Quit. The challenge looked too overwhelming.

It’s a good thing my mother stuck it out. Far from home and lonely, she tackled assignments and diligently prepared for class. Her closest lifetime friendships came from those difficult days of nursing school. The girls faced the challenges together. They prayed, encouraged, and supported each other.

When their special graduation day arrived, the young women knew they were equipped for the job. They had walked through the hardship and survived. Not only did they celebrate together that day, but this group of nurses also kept in close contact over the years. My mother can’t always make it to their successive five-year reunions, but she looks forward to Christmas cards and letters from these dear sisters.

God’s Old Testament people faced insurmountable challenges, just as we do. God wants us to courageously lean on Him. He doesn’t promise easy, but He does promise to be faithful, to be present, and to give us strength for the day. He offers hope. In 365 different verses of Scripture, God reminds us not to be afraid. He is God. When we trust Him to be bigger than our problem, fear has no power.

Challenges will block our vision just as the books piled before my mother dimmed her dream. Jesus offers hope for the darkest days. We can run from the challenge or we can look to Him with confidence.

Let God free you from the grip of fear and equip you to accomplish your task.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)