The annoying song announcing a new text was playing early in the morning. I opened the text and to my surprise, there was a message from the insurance company saying they were sending a check for the completion of our reconstruction work after our basement flooded last Thanksgiving. Yes, I said last Thanksgiving!! What a journey it’s been for nine long months but now it was finally over! Closure.
But then I noticed that the amount was twice as much as we should receive. Unless we pointed out the error, our claim would be closed. Forever. Filed away.
But we knew the error. God knew the error. And we knew just what we needed to do.
So hubby contacted the construction company’s office and told them they needed to send the insurance company the correct final amount.
I contacted the most recent insurance claims resolution specialist I’d been working with and told her the check was not the correct amount.
Then I added,
“I’m sure you don’t receive many emails saying you paid us too much!” And signed it, “Appreciate your help! Have a blessed rest of the day.”
She emailed back,
“I really appreciate your honesty! Like you mentioned, we never get emails advising we have overpaid.” And she signed, “Have a blessed day as well.”
The choices we make every day have a lasting influence. We never know whose life our integrity and honesty is going to impact. I’m sure she receives many emails and
phone calls from angry disgruntled clients. And who hasn’t complained about insurance companies and the cost of insurance.
As women of integrity, we stay true to who we are in Christ and Christ in us, regardless of the circumstances. I’m not saying we lead out with the Gospel, but that we live out the Gospel.
For example, you’re with a group of people you’ve just met and you sense by their conversation and actions that they’re not believers. What do you do now? You have a choice: try to fit in or act the same as you would if you were with a group of fellow believers. We’ve all been there sending up a silent prayer asking God, “Help!”
In today’s culture, it takes courage to make the choice to stand up for our faith and live with integrity. You stand out in a crowd when you do what’s right instead of compromising or taking the easy way out. This is nothing new. The apostle Paul certainly would have had an easier life if he backed down every time someone challenged him for being a believer. But the message Paul gave to the church at Corinth is still a source of encouragement for Christians to bravely and boldly live with integrity today: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor. 16:13).
It saddens me how hard it is for Christians today to live with integrity without being confronted and bullied in schools, college campuses, sports, jobs, social media, and even with some friends and family. It isn’t easy, but it is courageous. It’s not popular, but it is possible. It’s not the world’s way, but it is God’s way! And that’s all that matters to us, right?
As we watch civil law move counter to God’s laws and rampant tolerance for everything except Christianity, every day we’re under intense pressure to comply. God says make the right choice: “This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
Note: To be entered in the drawing, you must live in the United States. 
Janet Thompson is an international speaker, freelance editor, and award-winning author of 20 books. Her passion is to mentor other women in sharing their life experiences and God’s faithfulness. Janet’s new release is Everyday Brave: Living Courageously As a Woman of Faith available at Amazon, Christianbook.com, Barnes and Noble, and signed at the author’s website.
She is also the author of Mentoring for All Seasons: Sharing Life Experiences and God’s Faithfulness; Forsaken God? Remembering the Goodness of God Our Culture Has Forgotten; The Team That Jesus Built; Dear God, Why Can’t I Have a Baby?; Dear God They Say It’s Cancer; Dear God, He’s Home!; Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter; Face-to-Face Bible study Series; and Woman to Woman Mentoring: How to Start, Grow, & Maintain a Mentoring Ministry Resources.
Janet is the founder of Woman to Woman Mentoring and About His Work Ministries.
Visit Janet and sign up for her weekly blog and free online newsletter at womantowomanmentoring.com.
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About Everyday Brave: In Everyday Brave, Janet explores the extraordinary bravery of fifty ordinary women in the Bible. Twenty-eight women of today also give testimonies of realizing their strength and courage through God’s love. As Janet shares the stories of these women, she reminds us that the real heart and substance of bravery comes from unconditionally placing our hope in the only One who can give us the courage to stay the course.

I often link-up with the following wonderful bloggers.
Mondays   InstaEncouragements/ Anita Ojeda, Mandy and Michele, Kingdom Bloggers,
Tuesdays RaRa Linkup /GraceFull Tuesday / Tell His Story/Anchored Abode,
Wednesdays   Worth Beyond Rubies, Recharge Wednesday / Welcome Wednesday /LetsHave Coffee/Porch Stories
Thursdays Heart Encouragement  /  Tune In Thursday  /Salt and Light /  Five Minute Friday
Friday Counting My Blessings, Faith on Fire, Blogger Voices Network, Grace and Truth Linkup,best-of-the-weekend Fresh Market Fridays
Peace and grace,
Tammy