Courage – I Corinthians 16:13
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like me, (be men of courage), be strong”
I think most every one, if not all, have, at one time or another, been overtaken by a situation or condition that left them very apprehensive as to the outcome. Perhaps there is such an experience like that in your past…. Or maybe that is where you find yourself at this very moment.
Perhaps “apprehensive” is not the best adjective to describe the matter. Possibly words like; extremely concerned or worried, afraid or even down-right scared would better describe how you feel.
Panic can wash over you like a flash-flood.
You wake up in the wee hours of the morning and this dreadful feeling of panic almost makes you nauseous.
An adverse situation or condition has touched your life. What are you going to do? What can you do?
It’s a very serious matter. It has to be faced but how? Your mind begins to create mental pictures that bring even more concern. Maybe it is something that has been ongoing for a while and you start to wonder… when will this all end; how will it come out, or, will it ever end? It could be such an adverse situation that it will require a miracle to correct.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE –
If you have ever experienced any of these emotions, you are not alone. Thousands of people…people just like you and me.. have travels this road. To make it through these turbulent times… these troubled waters… you need a special ingredient within called COURAGE.
What is courage? The dictionary defines courage as: a quality of mind or spirit enabling one to meet danger or opposition with fearlessness.
This may seem rather egotistic of me but I don’t agree entirely with that definition. To be fearless means to be devoid of fear, to not be afraid. Let me tell you this… many have displayed courage while experiencing a degree of fear.
Norman Vincent Peale described courage as, “strength to do what is right regardless of the consequences”. That’s a good definition. Here is mine; Courage is not the absence of fear but the capacity to put one foot in front of the other and move forward”.
FEAR –
I think that without exception everyone experiences some type of fear, dread or apprehension in their life at some point. Certainly some more than others but just as certainly, everyone. The world feels it… the Christian feels it. In addition, the Christian can even feel a sense of condemnation or guilt if they feel fear, worry or apprehension. So many have been taught that a true Christian does not fear because we have been born again and the new birth does not include being afraid, worry or fear. We know that the Word of God tells us very plainly that, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind.” You will find that in II Timothy 1:7 and I believe it. God has not given us a spirit of fear but we feel it from time to time just the same.
So, where does this fear come from?
Some people have all kinds of fears but we are only born with two….the fear of falling and the fear of loud noises. Everything else we pick up along the way. But the good news is…whenever we are beset with fear, worry, strong anxiety we can overcome it by the power of God and the authority He has given and in the process have a sound mind to continue on.
We read in the Bible in several different places where God instructed His people to “not be afraid.” Why did He say that? Because they were afraid… they were human with the same emotions that we have. But when God spoke they exercised courage and continued on.
Look at the life of Elijah. One of God’s great Generals. A man of power and authority. A very powerful man of God. My, he was even able to call fire down from heaven. Anybody here done that recently?
He was a powerful man in God but he also knew what it was to become afraid. On a day that should have been a day of great celebration in light of the prophets of Baal he slew he received a message from a woman that sent him running for his life.
What about Jesus Himself? He was God incarnate in the flesh. He had all power and authority but He also had a human side and that part of Him knew what is was to be afraid… to have worry, to be filled with apprehension and dread. On the night He was betrayed, just prior to that betrayal, he experienced some of the emotions of fear and dread as His mind dwelled on what the morrow would bring. A part of His prayer that night was, “if it be possible, let this cup pass from me” but with courage He continued on praying as He said, “nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.” Because He faced fear and conquered it, so can we… because, as a believer, He now dwells within and becomes that “greater is He that is within than he that is in the world.”
OUR WORLD TODAY –
Nobody has to tell you that we are living in very troubled times. A variety of diseases are running rampant throughout the world. The economy seems to be teetering on the edge of recession. The price of a gallon of gasoline continues to rise. The housing market continues its downward slide. People are facing various financial situations. There are physical problems, marital problems, domestic and serious family problems and, as if all of this was not enough, we are faced with a new and alarming challenge called “terrorism.” And just because you are a Christian does not preclude you from the affects of all of this.
People find themselves in a mess. Some are almost defeated. Obstacles loom in the pathway. Some feel totally stuck in quagmire and not going anywhere. When things of this nature hit it does not have to mean someone has sinned. It does not have to mean there has been some kind of wrongdoing. It can simply be that some unfavorable circumstance has overtaken and altered the way of life. Still others are on the VERGE of victory and subsequent success but somehow they never get off the VERGE. You can have a definite call of God on your life and still hit an area of the road of life where your wheels are just spinning and you cannot get any traction. Others just set in neutral… not going anywhere. Many times this happens because people let the fear of failure stop them. But this is not just limited to the ministry. Regardless of your spiritual vocation or walk with God you must face and deal with many adverse situations. Sometimes it’s just called LIFE!!!
DARE TO BE BRAVE –
President Franklin Roosevelt once said, “Far greater it is to dare to do mighty things, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor souls that live in a gray twilight and know neither victory nor defeat.”
There are no guarantees in life… Christian or not. We need to fully embrace the Word of God. God said He… not our husband or wife… not our kids… not the pastor… but God said He would not let more come upon us than we can bear and that with every situation… every problem, great or small, He will make a way of escape that we might be able to bear it. It is the last part of that verse we sometimes miss. God did not say He would just jerk us out of the mess or situation but He did say He would get us out but in the process He would help us to endure until we got out. What a promise. That means no matter what the situation there is hope!
For each of us, courage means finding the spiritual and mental determination to endure discomfort… to persevere despite the danger or difficulty… and to recognize that everything… absolutely everything… is subject to Gods control.
PRAYER –
We have a powerful weapon… a mighty tool that is ours to use whenever needed. It is called prayer. Even those individuals that Jesus Himself chose as His closest companions were often afraid. Unsure of themselves, lacking in confidence, they sometimes faltered and failed. After Jesus was resurrected from the grave He sent the Holy Spirit to be a friend and a guide to them. This was a source of power and encouragement. Though there were still times when they were uncertain and fearful of the future, the Apostles prayed and the Holy Spirit came upon them and empowered them and they were able to continue their work. As a part of the family of God, you have promises you can stand on. You have God’s word that He will make a way. No matter what the situation, know that there have been others before you and still others will follow but you can make it… just have courage and JUST DON’T QUIT!
CONCLUSION –
Courage is: … knowing when to hand on or to let go… giving up on unrealistic ideas or expectations but clinging to those things that God has revealed to you… standing up even if you have to stand alone… going on though you may be weary.. resisting peer pressure… fighting back… stepping out on faith and trusting in Devine sources to help you. This is what courage is all about and you can do it!
