Tag Archives: be strong and courageous

Beyond fear

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As a kid I was afraid of the dark, spiders, and heights. The first two don’t much bother me anymore. When Marcia and I first started dating (I was 15 or 16) I took her to the State Fair. Most fair rides make me dizzy but no young teen is going to admit this to his girl. So when she said she wanted to ride the double ferris wheel, I said sure, even though I was hoping more for the carousel…or the park bench. Now, in my mind the double ferris wheel, is a pure invention of evil. There is no practical reason a body should be thrust from three feet off the ground to, oh I think about a mile or two at what seems like 80 MPH. It might be a bit less than that but it is a high-speed, jerky ride no one should go on. But being in love, I was cool, calmly and through clenched teeth asking my dear to not shake the car while maintaining an iron clad grip on the one inch steel bar (you can probably still find my hand imprint today), you know, to make sure she didn’t fall through.

In my mind, I think I do a lot better now, but fears do have a way of grabbing us and not letting go, don’t they? Some fears are rational and others have no basis for existence. They are False Evidence Appearing Real; like when you thought there was a monster in the closet or spooks under your bed.

What do you fear? What False Evidence Appears Real to you? Evidently the fear of speaking in public still ranks high amongst top fears. Some people fear success so they never step up to a challenge. I’ve known some who feared talking with God because they couldn’t see him or wasn’t sure he would listen. (He will.) Some folk fear the future, imprisoned by teachings in their past.

Freedom in faith might be the opposite of slavery to doubt and fear. Faith isn’t just the absence of doubt and fear; faith is doing what you fear, trusting in the outcome. It is courage in the face of fear. I don’t know how this leukemia journey will end, any more than you know what unexpected turns you will face. But I believe in a good ending and this helps me break through fear.

Maybe it would be helpful to make a list of your fears, crossing out the ones based on false evidence. With the others, consider what God said to Joshua:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

You don’t have to live in the shadow of fear. Faith brings Light that casts out shadows. Be strong and courageous.
Put on faith and let your fears remain in the closet.

Terrible, horrible, no good day?

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Yesterday, I wrote about the importance of enjoying today as a gift from God. And it is true! But if we are honest with ourselves we will admit that some days we just don’t feel like it’s a gift. In fact some days seem down right crummy, don’t they?

Some days feel like WE are Alexander in Judith Viorst’s 1972 children’s classic, “Alexander’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day.” Do you remember? He wakes up with gum in his hair. He trips on a skateboard. At breakfast his brother gets the prize in the cereal box and all he gets is cereal. At the dentist office he finds out he has a cavity. He gets in trouble all day long and nothing goes his way. He has to eat lima beans for supper. He hates lima beans. He gets soap in his eyes at bath time and loses his marble down the drain. And to make matters worse the family cat wants to sleep with his brother, not him. He concludes that he wants to move to Australia. His mom tries to assure him that everyone has bad days, even the people who live in Australia and that tomorrow is a new day.

It’s a children’s story for sure, but one with a message for us adults. Your crummy days may deal with a lot more serious thgs. But think about it: how many of the crummiest days in your life have you made it through so far? ALL of them, right? A 100% track record like that is reason to give thanks and to have hope for today and tomorrow. God is good to never leave us and he sees us through even the crummiest days. Seek his presence and find strength and courage for even the crummiest of days.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
(Even on the crummy days)

“God will put a hero in you.”

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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.

Courage

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A framed print is displayed on my unit, with these words inscribed by the artist: “Courage to ALL who walk these halls.” I’m guessing he was a former patient who knew the struggle of pushing forward through the pain. Maybe he was a friend or the relative of one. Caregivers have to demonstrate such amazing courage. The fiancé of one young patient is caring for him and four children, while managing a new start-up business, and planning for the rest of their lives. That takes courage.

Since he emphasized ‘all’ I think the artist is a wise man who recognizes that there are days (maybe everyday) when it takes courage just to show up at work, whether you work as a food deliverer, nurses aide, doctor, nurse, housekeeper, or volunteer. Courage is helping others while you hurt. Courage is taking another bite when you’re nauseous or anorexic. Courage is engaging in therapeutic exercise when it hurts. Courage is in making choices that honor God when other choices seem more fun. Courage is being true to self when others lead you astray. Sometimes, courage is remaining silent before those who accuse you, or shouting out to defend someone who is bullied or maligned. Courage is found in doing the mundane tasks of life while you wait on God for His answer to your prayer.

All my life, I have asked God for three things: wisdom, strength, and courage. Wisdom to know where to go and what to do, strength to accomplish the task, and courage to step forward. Our God is faithful to grant what He has commanded.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you.” Joshua 1:9