Thought for Friday, July 12th

July12, 2013                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

The Evidences of Courage

 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm  23:4-6

“Having courage does not mean that we are unafraid.  Having courage and showing courage means we face our fears. We are able to say, ‘I have fallen, but I will get up.’”

-          Maya Angelou

The evidence of courage is the presence of determination and the awareness that regardless of how things appear – greater things and total victory are on the horizon and within our view, by faith, through Christ.

Very little courage is needed if ones resolves are never challenged.  It is the proverbial monster in the closet or under the bed, so to speak, that challenges us to put our faith to the test and to put our feet on the floor or take hold of the handle and open the door, to face whatever lies beneath or in front of us, knowing we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.

We don’t overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimonies and the lack of love for this life, if there is nothing to defeat.

It is the trials, the tribulations and the testing of our faith that proves who God is in us and confirms to us how much He loves us and how dependent on Him we really are.

True courage requires us to walk out in the midst of the storm, without umbrella or rain coat or galoshes and know that wind, rain, sleet or snow, figuratively speaking, can not defeat or detour us from accomplishing what God has placed us here to do and that is to praise and glorify Him.

The most pure evidence of courage is that awareness that we must let go of all that we are for all that God is: relinquishing control over our decision and allowing God to make them for us; all the while knowing what ever He brings us to; He will take us through.

Ironically the greatest evidence of courage is not in the conquering or defeating it is in the surrendering to Him.   

Prayer:

Father, one of the hardest things to face is the feeling of not being in control: but in order to serve you fully that is what I need to do, so help me to let go and know that everything will be all right.