February 25, 2026
When You’re Not As Brave as Yesterday
MEGHAN MELLINGER
Lee en español
“But Jesus replied, ‘My Father is always working, and so am I.’” John 5:17 (NLT)
Ten years ago, I broke the lease on my apartment, sold all my belongings, and moved across the country to start a new job I wasn’t qualified for in a place where I knew no one.
I was young, adventurous, fearless, and full of energy. The move happened so quickly I had nowhere to live when I arrived, but I wasn’t worried. I knew if God was calling me here, He would take care of me. I had faith that brought me unexplainable peace.
As I look back at pictures from the past decade, I’m reminded of times both happy and hard, sacred and scary, as I got all the adventures I wanted … and sufferings I never asked for.
In the mirror today, I see someone who is older, more cautious, fearful, and full of exhaustion. I see anxiety from real-life hardships and defeat from unfulfilled dreams. The harder life has gotten, the less brave I’ve become. Each trial and trouble has made me wonder more and more if God cares about me less and less.
What happened to that faith-filled, fearless version of me?
Lost in my reflection, I recently felt as if God reminded me: He is still the same God to 39-year-old Meghan as He was to 29-year-old Meghan. I might not recognize myself in the mirror, but He hasn’t changed.
So how can you and I hit the “reset” button and restore our fading faith?
1. Tell ourselves the truth. Let’s take inventory of our thoughts today. What are we telling ourselves about who God is and who we are? We can replace any lies with the truth that our good God has good plans for His children (Jeremiah 29:11). He loves to give us His power and presence to help us through each day (2 Timothy 1:7; Joshua 1:9).
2. Trade our real-life anxieties for real-time peace. Peace may not come as naturally as it used to, but God’s promises remain the same. Each day, we can choose to trade our anxieties for His peace (Philippians 4:6-7). Our trials and troubles are opportunities to rely on Him.
3. Trace His works. Jesus assures us, “My Father is always working, and so am I” (John 5:17). What if we developed the habit of tracing His work in our lives — both past and present — to see where His love, care, protection, or presence have been evident? Where we feel most faithless, we can see where He was and is faithful! If God showed up for us 10 years ago, why would He not show up for us today?
I might not feel as brave as yesterday, but I am choosing to be expectant of God’s faithfulness to me today. (And I’ll try again tomorrow too.)
Heavenly Father, help me to remember Your goodness to me when I can barely recognize myself. Help me trade my real-life worries for Your real-time peace. May I be expectant of Your faithfulness, love, power, and presence in my life every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
There’s a version of you that shows up for everyone else — the strong one, the capable one, the “I’m fine” one. But there’s also the version of you who feels behind, who questions everything at 2 a.m., who wonders if she’s the only one still struggling to believe she’s called. Our new reflection journal resource, Unpolished, is designed for that version of you — the one you don’t post about. It helps you slow down long enough to pay attention to your real emotions, your real longings, and the small, sacred ways God has been trying to get your attention. Not when you’re polished, confident, or curated but right here. You don’t owe the world a perfected story before you can be called. God always begins with the version of you that actually exists. Get your copy of the Unpolished journal, and take the first step toward all God has for you.
ENGAGE
For more from Meghan, connect with her on Instagram @megswritesthings.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Isaiah 43:19, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (NIV).
God is always working, even if we can’t see it. What new things is God doing in your life that you might have missed seeing? Share with us in the comments!
© 2026 by Meghan Mellinger. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
