courageous

Courage can feel unobtainable, but through Christ, our confidence is strengthened for what lies ahead; for the plans the Lord has designed.

May

A few days ago I was reading through one of my journals and I stumbled across this entry from last year:

I stuck my toes in the freezing cold water and decided I lacked the courage to jump in. The first of May had brought with it warm sunny weather and the kids were chomping at the bit to get into the pool. So, that is where I found myself the first weekend of May.

Sitting in the lounge chair I watched three girls standing on the edge of the pool. Two had the courage to jump feet first into the freezing water! Meanwhile, I sat and watched the third girl standing timidly on the edge of the pool. Did she have the courage to jump into the frigid water? She stuck her toes in, then ran away squealing. The little girl repeated this action over and over for about 10 minutes. Finally, her courage seemed to be built up, and she jumped in giggling with delight and terror!

While sitting there watching, the Lord whispered in my ear, “I know you are scared, my child. Where is your courage?”

Courage

I closed my journal and cried. Almost a year later and I still lacked the courage I so desperately needed. The Lord brought this scripture to my mind…

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.

Deuteronomy 31:6, NKJV

What is courage? How can I have courage in the midst of daily battles? How can we, as Christian women, apply the words of Christ to strengthen our courage? So, I began studying and praying the scriptures fervently. This is what God revealed to me…

I am Confident in Christ. I am Optimistic. I am Unwavering and Relentless in my faith. I am Aware of God’s Existence. COURAGE.

Confidence in Christ

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew words for confidence and assurance are different forms of the same word.

In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.

Isaiah 30:15, KJV

As a single mom of three, I am constantly busy and have been reprimanded by several friends and family members for my busyness. When you have multiple children involved in church, school, and sports, one does stay busy. However, there must be a balance of our time.

A plaque hangs behind my desk which reads, Be still and know. Every time I look at it I am reminded of a worship song from my youth. Although I cannot remember all the words, be still and know that I am God are repeated over and over again. When I feel overwhelmed with a hectic schedule, I remind myself to stop and sit with the Lord. This means starting and ending my day tucked away in the quietness of my prayer closet and simply praying with the Lord.

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalms 46:10, KJV

Optimistic

The dictionary defines optimistic as being “hopeful and confident about the future.” I have always been a glass full kind of girl, but my overly optimistic nature causes me to be hurt by others. Over the years, many troubles and trials later, I have learned to place my confidence in God and have a spirit of optimism. As Christians, we have hope and confidence in our future with the Lord.

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

True confidence is a quiet assurance of God’s capabilities and His promises which brings us lasting security.

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.

Psalm 118:8, NKJV

Relentless Faith

When I was a young girl, I was very afraid of the dark. One day my parents took me to my pastor. He talked with me about having faith bigger than my fears. He said fear is simply, “False Evidence Appearing to be Real.” When we place our faith in God, no matter what comes our way, we can trust Him. My pastor’s words have stayed with me throughout the years.

be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.

I Cornithians 15:58, NKJV

We should be unmoveable, unwavering, steadfast and relentless in our faith and the work we are doing for the Lord. Ephesians 6 refers to an invisible shield which protects us against our enemies’ assaults. The past few years I have carried my shield constantly through the battlefield. I consider it to be one of my greatest weapons against the Devil.

be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

Ephesians 6:10, NKJV

Be strong, Dear Sisters, and have an unwavering and relentless faith! When you do, God will work miracles in you…

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope, without wavering, for He who is promised in faithful.

Hebrews 10:23, NKJV

Aware of God’s Existence

The Lord has been dealing with me for the last nine months, but I have battled with courage for a few years now. At first, I thought if I could only have more courage in dealing with my current trial, then things would be easier…

I had confidence in God and was optimistic about my future (most of the time). My faith was unwavering and relentlessly strong against the Devil’s constant attacks. I was aware of God’s existence and knew there was a purpose and a plan for all the heartache and pain. However, I realized He was using the better part of this last year to help my courage and strength grow immensely. All of this preparation was simply part of His plan to help me reach the point in which I was finally ready…

I traveled very far through a land filled with dangers, treacherous terrain, and storms that never seemed to end. My body and my spirit were beyond tired! I literally felt like the walking dead! Then I stumbled upon a cliff and my heart was beating rapidly in my chest! I could feel the presence of danger and an approaching storm behind me. The choice was clear— I had to JUMP!

I took a deep breath and prayed with an intensity like never before. Then I closed my eyes and gathered all the courage in my soul. I JUMPED!

Encourage…

Of course, we all know I did not literally jump off an actual cliff, but rather a spiritual cliff. After a very difficult journey, I reached this spiritual cliff God had been preparing me for. The courage to jump is simply the courage to surrender. When we are totally surrendered to the Lord then we are willing to say yes for whatever He has planned for our lives.

He has shown me what it means to have real courage. Let me encourage all of you, Dear Friends, to ask yourselves how much courage you have.

Courage to face your fears? Courage to fight for your marriage? Courage to stand up for what you believe in? Courage to step out in faith to whatever God has called you to do? Courage to say yes? Courage to say no?

Whatever trial you are facing or storm you are going through, God will give you the courage to make it through.

The courage to jump is simply the courage to surrender. When we are totally surrendered to the Lord then we are willing to say yes for whatever He has planned for our lives. Click To Tweet

Ihor Malytskyi

In the midst of tribulation, distress, and suffering, we don’t need to hide. Instead, we can be brave living with courage and complete peace.

Brave

What movie character comes to your mind when you think about someone who is brave? Is it an old movie or a newer one? I’m telling my age here, but Harrison Ford often played courageous roles, such as the president in “Air Force One” and Jack Ryan, the CIA analyst in the Tom Clancy-inspired movies. (Probably not a good idea to let him get in a plane these days!)

For many years, my son-in-law, who is a captain in the military, practically idolized the legendary thirteenth century Scottish hero named William Wallace; I’m convinced he wasn’t alone in his adulation. Wallace was played by Mel Gibson in the movie, (have you guessed it?), “Braveheart.” Grown men far and wide beat their chests and secretly fantasized about being William Wallace, or at the very least, saddling up and galloping to a bloody victory beside him. It’s a guy thing.

Recently, I read an article about not giving into fear as we age, but rather “staying brave.” The author related carefree activities she took part in as a young woman which she has been too fearful to do as an older woman, such as driving alone on a long-distance trip. Her insights are interesting; dancing in the rain, traveling a distance alone, walking in the dark, depending on the individual, may each require a level of bravery, but I am not convinced that what she is offering is the definition of being brave.

Brave is defined as possessing or exhibiting courage or courageous endurance.

Hm.

Courage is defined as the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc. without fear.

Ah, there it is; that’s what I am trying to put my finger on – the spirit within which enables a person to face the giant in the middle of the road we’re walking on.

Courage Amidst Suffering

In the past several days, as horror has soaked through our shock upon realizing the carnage one individual can wreak on so many lives, we have also learned that bravery is not a lost character trait in the twenty-first century, as many in my generation have begun to wonder. Countless selfless acts have been reported, some of which cost people their own lives while they protected others. First responders and police officers running toward the gunfire to steer people away from it, civilians risking their lives to lead others to safety; a husband giving his life to save his wife’s are only a few of the stories we have heard. We marvel at their courage and silently pray that we will be as brave should we ever, God forbid, find ourselves in similar circumstances.

I wonder why we are always numbed with shock when horrible things happen in this world? Thank God we can still be shocked, yes! However, it seems Christians have just as much trouble as nonbelievers grasping the evil byproduct the prince of this world foments…as though there remains within us a stubborn resistance to the truth that the Scriptures repeatedly spoke to us about evil. I John 5:19 states clearly that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. In Mark 7:20-23 (ESV) Jesus says (I’m talking red letters here) after expounding on a list of what defiles someone, “All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Lastly, as a final reminder that evil was here to stay until He returned, Jesus spoke:

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33, ESV

Yes, Jesus was attempting to reassure His disciples, but also His future disciples – us. I love how the Amplified version expounds on this verse. It helps me tease out the richer meaning of the original words that get lost in translation:

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory is abiding.]

John 16:33, AMP

Final Thoughts

2017 has definitely been a year for tribulation, distress and suffering in America alone, not to mention other areas of the world where hurricanes, mudslides and wars are occurring. It can feel overwhelming to hear one tragedy on the heels of another, one appeal for help right after another one. What are we to do? Be afraid because the “end” is near, as some believe?…

It can feel overwhelming to hear one tragedy on the heels of another... What are we to do? Click To Tweet

Not according to Jesus. In truth, we can have complete peace in Him. In the midst of tribulation, distress, and suffering, we don’t need to hide or quake in our boots, but rather, Jesus told us to do the opposite of what seems to come naturally to many of us. He said to be courageous! ‘And while you’re at it, have some joy with that courage because I have overcome the world, folks, so what could you possibly be afraid of??’

And like William Wallace, strap on some armor…

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Ephesians 6:12-13 ESV

Be brave, sisters.

Encourage others in their pursuit of bravery. These notecards are a reminder that our world may be full of battles, but God has overcome the world!!