Be courageous (2)

Jesus said, “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” It takes courage to face a painful reality. It’s easier to bail out of a troubled marriage than to stay and work your way through to a better place. It’s easier to give in to despair and self-pity than go back to school and train for a new career. It takes guts to stand up for your convictions when you’re under fire. But somebody said, “Unless you stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.” The truth is, anytime you’re willing to stand for something or try something new, somebody will take a shot at you. The English word courage is derived from the French word cœur, meaning “heart.” Hence the phrase “Don’t lose heart.” It’s easy to be brave when you feel strong, but it’s much harder when you feel weak and inadequate. Yet that’s when you need courage the most. General Omar Bradley remarked, “Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death.” And the courage he is referring to isn’t hollow hype. It has nothing to do with a “fake it till you make it” mentality. Courage means saying, “If God promised it, I believe it” and moving forward despite the obstacles. If you need an injection of courage today, read and meditate on these verses: (1) “Be strong and do not give up…your work will be rewarded” (2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV). (2) “Energize the limp hands, strengthen the rubbery knees. Tell fearful souls, ‘Courage! Take heart! God is…on his way…He’ll save you!’” (Isaiah 35:3-4 MSG). Now that’s courage!