Courage...Do You Have It?

by Sylvia Gaston

Courage is something everyone wants. It’s a trait that people admire and garners respect. Courage grows our confidence and inspires others.

The dictionary defines courage as: the ability to do something that frightens and strength in the face of pain or grief.

Have you done something even though you were frightened? Sure you have. From the time we were small kids, we were often afraid as we learned how to navigate school and relationships and life. As we got older, our fears change somewhat. Though lists of top fears vary slightly, here is one that is pretty common.

      1.     Flying
      2.     Public speaking
      3.     Heights
      4.     The dark
      5.     Intimacy
      6.     Death
      7.     Failure
      8.     Rejection
      9.     Spiders
    10.     Commitment

Fears fall into 2 categories – specific phobias and social phobias. The “specific” ones are most common and usually focus on simple objects such as spiders, flying, or heights. “Social” phobias are those that cause extreme anxiety in social or public situations such as public speaking, rejection, or commitment.

I’m sure that the specifics of our lives and past experiences come into play, as well. Do you work in a dangerous environment? Do you have children? Is your future uncertain? Do you have health issues?

Let’s take a look at the second part of the definition of courage. Have you remained strong in pain or grief? I’m sure we all have, to some degree. We have all experienced pain, loss, or crisis of some sort. Did you come apart at the seams or remain strong?

My fears, at this stage of life, tend to revolve around my children’s safety and decision-making and the health of those I care about.

God has a lot to say about fear and courage. I could recite tens of them here, but you have a computer – just Google it. But, let me share my favorite…

Six years ago, in the midst of a personal crisis, I relied on a verse I found in the Bible in Isaiah 41:13 that says,

“For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you Do not fear; I will help you.”

I wrote that verse on a 3X5 card and taped it to my refrigerator. It stayed there for months. I wanted to see it often and I knew others in my household needed to see it, too. It was a reminder to us that, because we follow Jesus, God will never leave us. He will strengthen us (give us courage) to endure whatever life throws our way.

That little 3X5 card is still around. It resides on the inside of my spice cabinet. I’ve relied on those words when my sister was dying, when one of my kids’ messed up, when my husband was very sick, and when my daughters took their first out-of-town road trips.

You see, I’m a pretty strong person. I can be extremely tough when the going gets tough. But we all have our limits or breaking points – emotional ones and physical ones. It’s easy to become overwhelmed. How do you find strength when you feel you can’t go on? How do you find courage when you are afraid?

I have learned to rely on someone with all the resources, power and authority to move heaven and earth, as He sees fit. Of course, I always hope God sees fit to move heaven and earth for me, but the outcome is not always what I want. It doesn’t matter. He’s still there to pick me up, to love me, and to see me through the incredible challenges of life hear on earth.

As I get older, and wiser, I use this reliance on God to help me even when I’m not in the middle of a mess. I have fewer worries, headaches, and stress when I just do my part and leave the rest to Him. Because, really, who am I kidding? I may be a tough chick but God is soooo much smarter, and more capable, than I am.

So I say to you…“Be strong in the Lord and in His might power.” –Ephesians 6:10

Have Courage

by Andrew Cromwell

There may be one or two valuable things I have gained from the social media site Instagram besides peering into the lives of friends and web-celebrities and wondering how in the world they got their pictures to look so good. Well, two might be a stretch, but for sure I have learned one thing. That is, there is a lot of negativity out there in the world and in order to combat it requires a continual decision to move in the opposite direction of the natural flow.

A constant theme of many of the “successful” instagrammers is that they have stopped worrying about what other people think and have decided to focus on personal growth and positive thinking. You see this theme echoed almost verbatim from all kinds of people, from the fitness fanatics to the business builders  to the stylish savants.

Why this common thread? Is it possible that all these people have a shared media playbook that is advising them that encouraging posts will garner them more followers? And what’s more, how can I get myself a copy?

While I don’t really believe there is a secret book on how to become a social media celebrity, I do believe this common thread is a reaction to the experience of this life that we all share in common. All of us face disappointment, negativity, broken dreams, and tragedy. Life is corrosive in that way. It is a natural result of the broken state of the world we live in.

Once upon a time we were full of hope and expectation for the future. We believed that we could achieve great things. We had in our mind’s eye a picture of what our life would look like -- the perfect spouse, family, and job. But somewhere along the way our fairytale bubble was burst and now we are guarded, jaded, and even fearful.

As a result of this common experience, some have fought back by seeking out encouraging words and focusing on the positive. This is a great response, but there is an even better way.

That better way goes deeper than positive words of self-affirmation because it focuses on a person who actually can and will help. Someone who is powerful enough to actually make a difference. That person is Jesus Christ and he offers more than positive energy..

The historical accounts in the Bible record how the disciples were often afraid, doubt-filled, anxious, and confused. We deal with those same emotions and same reality today. The answer Christ offered His disciples, is the same He offers today. Jesus said to His disciples, “Take courage for I have overcome the world” and “fear not little flock, your Father wants to give you the kingdom.”

When we put our trust in a person that doesn’t ever fail then we don’t have to be fearful and anxious. We can have courage. He promises a better tomorrow. Today might be difficult and broken, but tomorrow He will put things right. This life is only temporary and He offers strength to overcome today’s weakness and a new and brighter day after.

So are the things you are afraid of too big for Him to deal with? I don’t think so. Be encouraged, He answers those who call.

The Fight: Round 1

by Tim Howard

Back in the day my dad and I would watch the ‘Friday Night Fights’ on our 19-inch black and white television set. We would sit in the living room watching guys like Rocky Marciano, Sonny Liston, Archie Moore and Sugar Ray Robinson step into the ring and box for 10 to fifteen rounds. My father actually watched more than I did because my assignment was to keep adjusting the rabbit ear antenna to get a clear picture. Those were the days!

In the early 1960’s a guy by the name of Cassius Clay came onto the scene and caused a paradigm shift in the world of boxing. Muhammad Ali, as he later would be called was unique. He could dance and weave around the ring like none other and was extremely difficult to hit. One of his famous quotes when he fought against George Foremen was this:

“Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. His hands can't hit what his eyes can't see. Now you see me, now you don't. George thinks he will, but I know he won't. “

Paul the Apostle was a fighter too! Even though he never stepped into a boxing ring, many people took shots at him with the intent of knocking him out. God, however, was on his side and he ended up a winner. He may have lost a few fights but he won the championship.

He records one on his experiences in 2Cor. 4:8-9. “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going.”

Life is a fight! Jesus said: ‘ “… in the world you have tribulation but take courage, I have overcome the world” You can’t live a joy-filled life and be a pacifist. The bible tells us there is an enemy who doesn’t want you to be free. He doesn’t want you to experience peace, joy or love. He wants you to be self-centered, self-focused and self-willed. He wants to destroy you.

Jesus, on the other hand fought the ultimate fight against sin so we could in fact, experience a quality of existence called eternal life.

When you hear things like: “I’m sorry but we have to lay you off.” “It’s malignant.” “”Your son’s been arrested.” I don’t love you any more.”” “Mom, I think I’m pregnant.” “I’ve found someone else.” “Your wife didn’t survive the surgery.” You know a ravaging blow has hit you. The vibrancy of life can be knocked right out of you if one is not careful.

Something always attempts to rob you of eternal life but with God, a level of living that's full of joy is possible. It’s a dimension of living that’s affected by the hits but not destroyed.

Paul learned the art of fighting and became a champion. Romans 8:37 tells us that he not only won the war with a narrow margin but won in a convincing way. He overwhelmingly conquered and so can you. Mr. Ali said: “If they can make penicillin out of moldy bread, they can sure make something out of you.” God wants to make you into a champion fighter.

In the next few articles we will give some lessons in the art of fighting.

You may want to check out and read Eph 6:10 -18 because every fighter prepares for battle before entering the ring. Get ready, the bell is about to sound…