A young man who was recovering from tongue cancer said this. He lost half his tongue to cancer and went on later to audition in a national singing contest. Can you imagine the courage it would take to overcome such odds?
We all need courage. It might be something classically heroic like running into the path of an oncoming car to save a young child. Perhaps you need courage to stand up to a lifetime battle you or a loved one is facing. It takes courage to give up what you have and your worldly ambitions to follow Jesus. Sometimes it takes courage to get up and face another day, just to take another step on a very long and lonely journey, to reach out to encourage another in the midst of your inner pain.
But where do you find such courage? Is it something you develop over time or something given to you? Sarah Young’s devotional, Jesus Calling, is written as if Jesus Himself is responding to you. One excerpt reads: “Time is a trainer, teaching you to wait upon me, to trust me in the dark. The more extreme your circumstances, the more likely you are to see my power and glory at work in your situation.”
God reveals His power in you as your courage. He listens to you and answers by putting a hero in you.
Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in him.
Moses waited until God was ready to empower Him. King David waited until God’s time to make him the warrier king. Paul waited for God’s call to be revealed with power on his missionary journey. But I don’t think they waited passively. Rather they kept pursuing God while they waited on Him.
What are you waiting on that takes such courage? Do you believe that God can put a hero in you? Ephesians 6 tells us He can empower us to withstand and overcome great battles by standing firm, protected by His armor, waiting on Him to usher in the victory. It may be today, or maybe tomorrow. It may take months or years. But this I know. Courage and victory come from waiting on God. Persevere in your faith. Be strong and courageous in the small things of life and you will be strong and courageous in the big things.
