Do you know any courageous people around you?
One of the faces of courage is a young lady who is one of my daughter’s best friends. This young lady was diagnosed with Leukemia when she was 14 years old. She has had many hospital visitations and stays along with her courageous mother. She has gone through being poked, pricked by needles, experiencing side effects, hair loss, and many other things that she would probably not share with most people.
In the midst of it all, I have seen this young lady with great courage, always having a smile on her face, speaking energetically, doing her school work, and desiring to face life even in the midst of all the disappointments!
She could not even visit with her friends on her sweet16th birthday because she was sick! I’m sure this illness has touched every area of her life, challenging her schooling, activities, friendships, and so many other things that we will never know, but I applaud this young lady for who she is. I’m so glad she is in our life. She has a strong and courageous mother who has stood by her going through the process and continually believing the best in the midst of much heartache.
How do we develop courage?
Rely on Christ for strength
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Paul was determined that regardless of the circumstances of life, he could face any situation through Christ. He was confident that Christ was going to give him the strength, ability, courage, and stamina to get him through any circumstance. Sometimes the strength comes moment by moment, or day by day. Maybe looking down the road looks overwhelming but there is grace available for today’s challenge. We depend on God’s truth that His provision will be available for the journey ahead. My Pastor says that when you are out of your natural strength, God’s super will come on your natural and will give you supernatural strength. However, we must excercise the strength we already have!
A righteous life before God produces confidence
In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, And His children will have a place of refuge. Proverbs 14:26
The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
When we fear God and walk closely with him, we have a strong confidence in Him. We know He will back up His promises and His word to take care of His children. He will protect us and cover us in times of difficulty and fear. We can run to Him and are protected by Him. We can also speak boldly because we know what we speak is righteous and there is no shame to stand for truth and righteousness!
The less compromising we are in our walk with God, the more courageous we become facing the challenges before us.!! That doesn’t mean we will not struggle, but we don’t have to allow the enemy to play with our mind or emotions manipulating the situation to get us off track and derailed from God’s purpose or God’s love for us!!
Another example of great courage is a friend of mine with a daughter who has special needs. I have known them for the last five years, and their daughter is 6 years old now. The little girl is very fast, active and on the go all the time, so she requires one person to pay complete attention to her at all times and ensure she won’t hurt herself. This woman of God is very courageous, showing great hope and love for her daughter and the rest of her family. She does everything she can to keep her other children involved and active in sports and various activities, so they won’t feel that their family lacks anything because of their little sister.
For all the years I have known her, she and her husband have taken turns coming to a church service; now that we have one service, they both help support each other by watching their daughter. This woman of God does a lot of work, and she is persevering under huge pressure; having three other children who still need her, having a busy husband who has to travel for work, and sharing him with church for his ministry responsibilities within the body. She is a remarkable lady, and she is a hero in my book!!
We have many courageous men and women who are fighting various battles all around us. Let’s recognize and appreciate those who press against opposition everyday and come along side of the ones who need extra encouragement!