Did you have any idea that being a stepmom would require so much courage? It's amazing, isn't it, how brave you have to be to succeed in this role? What else is amazing is how you can always rise to the occasion, how you can always manage to see through the clutter and learn what you need to know and reach the solution you need. Do you know where that courage comes from? There's only one place.

The Lord is kind and merciful, and to us stepmoms who are surely a pitiful bunch at times, He doles out the courage by the bucketfuls. He holds us up when we think we'll fall. He catches us when we do. He shows us the path we should take and then gives us the courage and words and wisdom to pursue it.

When you need it

How can you be sure that the Lord will give you the courage you need? Why wouldn't He? It gives Him no pleasure to see you fearful and lost. When you have to speak your mind about your stepkids' behavior, for example, you'll be able to take a deep breath and say what you need to say. When you attempt to befriend your stepkids' mom, you'll find a way to extend yourself to her. When you need to talk to your husband about your family's problems, you'll be able to because you know that even though ignoring them is easier, it's also detrimental.

When you try time and time again to reach the stepchild who rejects you, when you open your heart to a life that is nothing you ever planned, when you accept a past that colors your present and your future-that's when you're drawing on the unbelievable courage that you have deep inside. That's when God is near.

What it gives you

When you go forward into all of those difficult situations with a courageous heart, you open yourself up to a wealth of blessings untold. You promote an environment of understanding and growth where nothing is stagnant because of fear, and everything good is a possibility. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart {Galatians 6:9 NKJV}.

Stepmothering requires bold thoughts and bold actions. You have to be courageous in your mind and courageous in your heart. You have to be willing to put yourself on the line every day, to expose yourself and to protect yourself. I know that sounds contradictory, but it's not.

Courage in practice

The courage to expose yourself is the courage to be who you are in your family, the courage to face up to your challenges each day by relying on your mind and abilities and talents and compassion for everyone in your home-and to trust that you can supply whatever is needed. You have what you need because God gives it to you. Because He's pouring the courage in as quickly as you need it, you'll never run out. You'll always have the exact amount you need for your heart, your family.

The courage to protect yourself is the courage to know what you need and then see that you get it, so that you can build the life you want. Everybody in a stepfamily is needy, and it's not uncommon for a stepmom to overlook or minimize what she needs as she tries to take care of everyone else. It takes great courage to ask for what you need and to set boundaries to protect your heart and home, but it's essential.

When you are courageous enough to protect yourself, you become stronger and more capable of protecting your entire family. God wants you to feel safe and secure and protected so that you can easily claim the courage you'll need to meet your challenges. So let Him show you how to protect yourself so that you can expose yourself. It works together, and it works because God will never leave you ill equipped for anything you need to do. You can be brave, because He already is.

To Think About: When have you felt that you had no courage, and what made you feel that way? How has stepmotherhood made you question your courage? When do you feel the most courageous? Duplicate those circumstances as much as possible and ask God to help you breathe His courage into every moment of your life. How will you protect and expose yourself today?

To God in Prayer: Lord, sometimes I think my courage has disappeared, and yet my life calls for me to be brave every moment. Please help me tap into Your courage and go forward strong and capable to all I need to do. Please stay close to me and never let me fear my mission or question Your devotion to me. Amen.