Courage to have a voice, to stand,
To reclaim the boundaries that once were spanned.
The pain of the past, the scars I bear,
Yet, Lord, You whisper, “You’re no longer there.”
You rebuild what was broken, piece by piece,
Giving my voice back, granting release.
I forgive, I let go, I learn anew,
To honor others’ boundaries as You’ve called me to.
Courage to face the masks I wore,
For fifty years, they felt like my core.
The good girl, the bubbly, the devout façade,
But You refine me, my soul is awed.
“Conformed to My Son,” You say with grace,
Through fire and trials, I find my place.
No longer controlled by others’ designs,
I stand on my own, Your strength is mine.
Courage to pause, to rest, to care,
To trust in You as I cast my despair.
I let go of the need to manage and lead,
In surrender, I find all that I need.
Courage to step from the old to the new,
Recalibrating to follow You.
Is this the time to change my route?
Or to rest in You and wait it out?
I long for a sabbatical, a sacred retreat,
To reconnect with You where joy and purpose meet.
Eleven years of service, now I stand,
Seeking Your guidance, holding Your hand.
Courage to love, to speak what’s true,
In every word, reflecting You.
No more backbiting, no more fear,
Your call to authenticity is clear.
Lord, give me the grace to love with care,
To confront in truth, to always be fair.
Teach me to balance courage and peace,
So my relationships bring Your release.
Through transitions, trials, rest, and strife,
You’re crafting in me a surrendered life.
Step by step, I yield to Your plan,
For in Your hands, I’ll forever stand.
Picture courtesy of Cherimoya Farm
A Journey of Courage: Lessons in Healing, Change, and Love
At Cherimoya Farm Calamba, Laguna, 3:30 PM
Life is a journey that demands courage—courage to face the past, embrace change, and walk boldly into the future. Over the years, I’ve discovered how much bravery it takes to grow, heal, and follow God’s call. Here are some reflections i had during this silent retreat.
Courage to Have a Voice
For too long, my voice was silenced by my abusers, my boundaries shattered by the wounds of the past. Childhood innocence gave way to pain, and I carried resentment and bitterness in my heart. But God has been inviting me to release it all—to forgive and let go. He whispers to me: “You’re no longer there; you’ve come a long way. I am rebuilding your boundaries and restoring your voice.”
This process has been humbling. I’ve also had to repent for times I’ve violated others’ boundaries—by pushing my own agenda, disrespecting their limits, and doubting God’s work in their lives. It’s not about me. Learning to honor others and myself has been a step toward wholeness.
Having courage to have a voice begins with recognizing your worth and acknowledging the boundaries that protect your identity. It means confronting the fear of rejection or misunderstanding and trusting that your voice matters. This courage grows as you release past wounds, forgive those who silenced you, and embrace the truth that God has called you to speak with boldness and love. It’s a journey of reclaiming what was lost, standing firm in your convictions, and honoring both yourself and others by expressing truth with authenticity and grace.
Courage to Succeed in the Battle
For years, I wore masks to protect myself—the “good girl,” the “bubbly one,” the “religious persona.” I wore them so long, they became second nature, and I thought they were who I really was. But as I surrendered these facades to God, He reminded me of His desire: “Be conformed to the image of My Son, Jesus.”
Through trials, He refines me like gold, using fire to burn away the impurities. I’ve had to confront those who manipulated me, courageously taking back control of my life. Though the road has been uncertain, I’ve learned to walk independently, trusting God’s strength to hold me when I stumble.
To succeed in the battle, you must first surrender the masks and defenses you’ve used to cope and allow God to refine you. Acknowledge the areas where you’ve been controlled by fear, manipulation, or dependence on others, and choose to stand firm in your identity in Christ. Trust the process, even when it’s painful or uncertain, and rely on God’s strength to carry you through. Success isn’t about avoiding falls but about rising every time with faith, courage, and a renewed commitment to walk in His truth.
Courage to Practice Soul Care
As someone who’s spent years in ministry, I often felt the pressure to keep everything running, to meet everyone’s needs. But God has been teaching me to rest. To pause. To let go of my need to be needed. I’ve resigned from being the “manager of the universe” and am learning the value of self-care.
In resting, I recover. In surrender, I find peace. God doesn’t call us to endless striving but to abide in Him.
Courage to Move from the Old Route to the New Route
Change is never easy, especially when it means leaving behind what is familiar and comfortable. I’ve felt the tug to recalibrate, to find new purpose. The question lingers: Is God calling me to a new path? Or is this a season to rest and reconnect?
After 11 years in ministry, I’ve begun yearning for a sabbatical—a time to step back, reflect, and seek His direction. Whether this is the time for change or preparation, I trust that God’s timing is perfect.
Courage to move from the old route to the new route begins with trusting God in the unknown and unfamiliar. It requires letting go of what is comfortable and familiar, even when the new path feels uncertain. This kind of courage demands a willingness to recalibrate, seek God’s direction, and embrace change with faith. Though the transition may be challenging, it opens the door to growth, renewed purpose, and alignment with God’s greater plan. In surrendering the past, you make space for the new things He wants to do in your life.
Courage to Work on Relationships: To Love Well
Loving well means speaking the truth in love, even when it’s hard. It means maintaining authenticity and integrity, confronting issues prayerfully and lovingly. I’ve had to repent for moments of gossip, triangulation, and people-pleasing—times when I avoided conflict to maintain superficial peace.
God is calling me to a deeper kind of love, one that honors others by being honest and kind. True love isn’t about avoiding the waves but navigating them with grace.
Courage to work on relationships means choosing to love authentically and speak truth in love, even when it’s uncomfortable. It involves confronting issues with grace, maintaining integrity, and resisting the urge to avoid conflict for the sake of superficial peace. This courage requires repentance for past mistakes like gossip, people-pleasing, or triangulation, and a commitment to build trust and mutual respect. By relying on God’s wisdom and strength, you can navigate the challenges of relationships and cultivate deeper, healthier connections that honor Him.
The Journey Ahead
Through all of this, I see a pattern: God is leading me into greater freedom and deeper trust. Each step requires courage—courage to face the past, embrace the present, and trust Him with the future.
Whether I’m surrendering old masks, navigating transitions, or learning to love well, one thing is clear: this journey isn’t about my strength but about His. The invitation is to turn my eyes upon Jesus, to trust that as I yield to Him, He will lead me through every unknown and into the light of His glory and grace.
To anyone reading this, perhaps God is calling you to your own journey of courage. It may be painful, uncertain, and messy, but it is also beautiful. Trust Him. He is with you every step of the way.
special mention to Lita Quimson and Jac for sharing to us, retreatants this 5 points.
BELOVED 
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