Courage When You Feel Behind - Your Nightly Prayer - June 14th

Courage When You Feel Behind
Your Nightly Prayer
by Sophia Bricker 

TONIGHT’S SCRIPTURE 

"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead." - Philippians 3:13, NIV

SOMETHING TO PONDER 

Sitting outside during the evening of the college commencement ceremony, I felt like I did not belong. People around were laughing and taking pictures. But my life felt as dry as the empty fountain that stood nearby. The students had technically started the same year as I did, yet I had served as a junior marshal while they walked through the auditorium to receive their degrees. Between financial difficulties and experiencing the death of my mother, I had fallen behind in credits and would not graduate until the next year.  

It was not just the timing. I felt like I had missed milestones that came naturally to other students. Still reeling from grief, my life moved at a different pace than theirs. My focus was not on attending the next gathering or getting dressed up for pictures–I was merely trying to survive in the wake of loss.  

I am not the only one who has ever felt behind. Many of us can feel this way for various reasons, caught in the cycle of “what ifs” and regrets about things we should have done differently. Death, illness, and relationship issues can all leave us feeling uncertain about the future. Yet we forget that each of our lives is unique. No one is supposed to experience life events at the same pace. The Apostle Paul reminds us that holding onto what could have been only hinders us in the long race of life. Pain and loss might be what we have experienced, but they do not define what is to come. In Christ, we have the promise of a marvelous future where every tear will be wiped away, and we will dwell with the Lord forever in a new creation with resurrected bodies (Philippians 3:20-21).  

We strain toward what lies ahead by grasping onto hope rather than focusing on regrets. Doing so takes courage, to dare to believe that the things ahead are better than what is behind us. With our Savior by our side, we can continue the race of life with confidence that He will bring things to pass according to His perfect timing.   

YOUR NIGHTLY PRAYER 

Savior,
You know how easy it is for me to dwell on the feeling of being behind in life. I often think about all the things I have missed far too often and begin to believe that this trend will characterize my future. Renew my hope, O Lord, stirring me onto greater faithfulness. Your Word tells me that the things to come are more wonderful than I could imagine. Cultivate courage in my life so that I am not afraid to step forward in the confidence of Your love.
Amen.   

THREE THINGS TO MEDITATE UPON 

1. The tendency of humans to move toward what we focus upon (e.g., driving in a car). Where is your focus, and how can you reset it on Christ? Consider reading Hebrews 12:1-2. 
2. A promise in Scripture that you look forward to. How might memorizing the verse or passage give you courage to hope in times of doubt?  
3. The image of a box or chest. Imagine placing your regrets or pain into the container to keep, honoring what you have experienced, while also making room for what God has planned. What would you place in the box?      

Reflect on tonight’s prayer and share how God met you there. Join the Your Nightly Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Jacob Wackerhausen

Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotionals, and stories. She completed a BA and MA in Christian ministry which included extensive study of the Bible and theology, as well as an MFA in creative writing. You can read her thoughts about literature and faith at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page Substack, or visit the discipleship-based site  Cultivate, where she writes with her sister.

Related Resource: Discouragement Often Comes after Calling | Ezra 3

In this episode of  The Bible Explained, Jen walks through Ezra chapter 3 and explores the Israelites’ return from exile as they begin rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem. She highlights how the people, though fearful and greatly outnumbered, chose unity, obedience, and worship by first rebuilding the altar and restoring sacrifices to God. The episode focuses on the emotional moment when the temple foundation is laid—some rejoice with gratitude while others weep, remembering the former temple’s glory. Through passages in Ezra, Haggai, and Zechariah, Jen emphasizes God’s encouragement not to “despise small beginnings,” reminding listeners that God often works through humble starts, difficult seasons, and imperfect circumstances. The episode closes with a practical encouragement: when God calls people to a purpose, opposition and discouragement will come, but faithful perseverance and trust in God’s presence are what carry the work forward. If this podcast helped you understand the Bible in a clearer way, be sure to follow The Bible Explained on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!