Courage
Todays Hope calendar quote:
Hope, like faith, is nothing if it is not courageous.
- Thornton Wilder
What is courage? Why is it important?
I heard someone say that courage is not the absence of fear but rather feeling afraid and doing it anyway.
We may fear all sorts of things - growing old alone, not having sufficient resources, being a failure, being rejected or ashamed. However, if we focus on tuth we can prevent fear and promote courage.
We are commanded numerous times in the Bible to be courageous. Jesus also instructs to fear not. How do we do that?
Many valuable truths come to mind. I found many precious promises to ponder. Perhaps they can be summarized in this way: God is our Papa. His presence is with us. He protects. He provides. God gives us a purpose. We also need to persevere in prayer.
"We were made to be courageous". Here is a link to a music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkM-gDcmJeM
Below are scriptures to encourage us in our pursuit of courage:
He promises His protection so we do not need even in peril.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, (Psalm 46:1-2)
He is our Papa and knows us. Therefore we do not need to be afraid.
But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you,Israel
People may attempt to harm or shame us but God’s care can give peace.
“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
“For this reason I say to you, [n]do not be worried about your [o]life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the [p]air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single [q]hour to his [r]life? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But [s]seek first [t]His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be [u]added to you. (Matthew 6:26-34 NASB)
say to those with fearful hearts, “Bestrong
Hope, like faith, is nothing if it is not courageous.
- Thornton Wilder
What is courage? Why is it important?
I heard someone say that courage is not the absence of fear but rather feeling afraid and doing it anyway.
We may fear all sorts of things - growing old alone, not having sufficient resources, being a failure, being rejected or ashamed. However, if we focus on tuth we can prevent fear and promote courage.
We are commanded numerous times in the Bible to be courageous. Jesus also instructs to fear not. How do we do that?
Many valuable truths come to mind. I found many precious promises to ponder. Perhaps they can be summarized in this way: God is our Papa. His presence is with us. He protects. He provides. God gives us a purpose. We also need to persevere in prayer.
"We were made to be courageous". Here is a link to a music video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkM-gDcmJeM
Below are scriptures to encourage us in our pursuit of courage:
He promises His presence with us.
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not
be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you…” (Isaiah
41:10)He promises His protection so we do not need even in peril.
1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, (Psalm 46:1-2)
He is our Papa and knows us. Therefore we do not need to be afraid.
But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you,
People may attempt to harm or shame us but God’s care can give peace.
“Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the shame of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood.
God will provide. Therefore we are not to be anxious.
Fear not, little flock; for it is
your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. (Luke 12:32 KJV)
"God will supply [o]all your needs according to His riches in
glory in Christ Jesus. " (Phil. 4:19)“For this reason I say to you, [n]do not be worried about your [o]life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the [p]air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And who of you by being worried can add a single [q]hour to his [r]life? 28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31 Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But [s]seek first [t]His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be [u]added to you. (Matthew 6:26-34 NASB)
He gives us purpose and grants success
7 Only be strong and very
courageous; [b]be careful to do according to all the law
which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to
the left, so that you may [c]have success wherever you go. 8 This book of the law
shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night,
so that you may [d]be careful to do according to all that is
written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will [e]have success. (Joshua 1:8-9)
We are told to remind ourselves, to ponder on truth that He will protectsay to those with fearful hearts, “Be
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