Standing up.

 Could you imagine if we, (as in everyone on the earth), gave up and fell onto the floor in hopelessness every single time we were faced with a challenge?

Well, that's basically what we do when we cave into temptation and sin. We decide it would just be easier to give in then to go through the "struggle" of standing up for ourselves.

It takes major courage to be able to look your friends in the eye and say "No."

No, I will not harm my body.

No, I will not ruin God's plan for my life for a moment of pleasure.
No.
No.
No.

*Side note* There is no just "trying" something. You don't get a practice round in life to see if something is worth it or not. Once you do something, it's done. Everything counts. "Trying" something is just an excuse to do something you think you'll never do again in your life. But what happens when you like it? Will you "try it" again? Anyway.. Back to my main point.

 Here's the thing. When you actually stand up for yourself, you SUCCEED.
 I mean, who doesn't like succeeding, am I right?

 You may not succeed in the world's eyes, but hey you aren't here to look good in man's eyes. You're here to shine through & show that you are a Child of God to those who are lost.

 God commands us in Deuteronomy 31:6 to "Be strong and of a good courage..." Therefore, when we aren't courageous, we are sinning. Because we aren't doing what we were commanded to do by God.

Now, what does the word "Courageous" mean exactly?
"Not being deterred by danger or pain."

So basically, it's knowing that when you run across gravel in bare feet, it's going to hurt. But you do it anyway because it will only hurt while you're running. Then when you're done running, you'll stand on the sidewalk looking out on the all the rocks you just came across and the pain you endured, and you'll feel accomplished. I promise.

With Love,
Maggie Ann.