| COURAGE
The dictionary defines it as: The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery. Ambrose Redmoon once said: Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. We see movie after movie situation after situation of people calling up something from within that overcomes all things to do the seemingly impossible. Have you ever found yourself standing at some point trying to summon up some courage to do something you are totally and positively fearful of doing, who hasn't. The question truly becomes not have we found ourselves standing in those situations but did we move in those situations and in which direction. I imagine a scene where there are a few warriors staring down a massive attacking enemy, the numbers are too great, the odds insurmountable, what do we do. To do nothing is unthinkable but to do something is insane. When a voice comes from no where summoning up the courage, telling you all is well, you are not alone. Your eyes flash wide and you move.... The enemy thinks you foolish and almost mocks your attack... but what he does not see is the undefeatable foe within, that thing which death does not defeat. Courage is doing what most would consider foolish but faith would call wise. Acts 6:8-15 And Stephen, full of faith and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people. But there arose some men from what was called the Synagogue of the Freedmen, both of the Cyrenians and the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, debating with Stephen. And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated men to be saying, "We have heard him speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God." And they aroused the people and the elders and the scribes; and coming upon him, they seized him, and led him to the council. And they put forward false witnesses saying, "This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against the holy place and the law; for we have heard him saying that this Jesus the Nazarene will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses handed down to us." And looking intently at him, all those who sat in the council saw his face like the face of an angel. Acts 7: 1-3 Then the high priest said, "Are these things so?" And he said, "Men, brothers and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said to him, 'Go out from your land and from your relatives, and come to a land which I will show you.' Courage, also known as bravery and fortitude, is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation. It can be divided into "physical courage" — in the face of physical pain, hardship, and threat of death; and "moral courage" — in the face of shame, scandal, and discouragement. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.
Matthew 17:20 |
