How Difficult Is It to Be Strong and Courageous?

Is courage the primary emotional and moral factor for determining accountability? It might be proposed that fear is main focal point for taking responsibility to do what is required. However, courage to take action may spring forth from God’s prompting.

In the movie The Red Badge of Courage, Audie Murphy portrayed a man consumed by fear who ran away from battle during the Civil War. He hid his betrayal by pretending to be wounded. Courage later helped him overcome his fear, betrayal, and lies.

Fear is normal, but it doesn’t have to prevent a person from doing what is right. Deuteronomy 31:6 presents a challenge: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified, for the Lord God goes with you; he will never leave nor forsake you.” These words encourage you to be accountable to God for the faith he has given you by continuing to remain true and loyal to him.

No temptation has seized you except what in common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it. 

~1 Corinthians 10:13 New International Version

__________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week. 

The Sustaining Presence of God

Where were you when you first became aware of the presence and power of God? Was it communicated by a parent or in worship or Bible study? It might have been in some dreadful, horrible place where, in a moment of crisis, there came a realization that you were not alone, but that God was there even in that despicable place.

God’s name, Jehovah-Shammah, means “the Lord is there”. Jacob discovered God's presence when he was running for his life. He saw God's presence in a dream as angels descended and ascended on a stairway. Here he made a commitment to God, but it took decades for him change and mature. Yet, God’s presence remained constant.

Jehovah Shammah is present in the darkest, most frightening moments. The Apostle John would declare, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory.” He’s there for you in each moment, and you can count on his presence for assurance and encouragement, however the ‘moment’ is defined.                          

____________

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.

~Deuteronomy 31:6 New Living Translation

 

And I will make my home among them. Yes, I will be their God and they shall be my people.

~Ezekiel 37:27 The Living Bible 

____________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

A Sure Formula for Success

Each person, at some point in life, will have to consider a change that seems beyond consideration. That's what Moses concluded when God informed him that he was chosen to deliver the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt. Moses responded with loud protests of being unfit for the task.

Moses grew up with the best education, medicine, food, and social skills that could be provided for an Egyptian royal. All of this vanished when an impulsive act forced him to flee for his life. As bad as it was, God waited for him to mature for a calling that would change his life.

When God revealed his plan to Moses, he protested, "Who am I to deliver these people from Egypt?" God responded by promising, "I will be with you," which ensured his success. This may be the moment when God  requires you to make a new beginning, however intimidated and fearful you may feel. If it’s God’s plan, he offers you the same promise: "I will be with you." Permit his promise to be your assurance of success. 

_______________ 

Be determined and confident. Do not be afraid. Your God, the Lord himself, will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.

~Deuteronomy 31:6 Good News Bible 

_______________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.

The Courage to Question

Everyone occasionally has felt their lives were out of control and beyond making necessary changes. Ludwig van Beethoven cried out to a friend, "I want to seize fate by the throat and bring it down!"  Imagine the helplessness this gifted composer felt at twenty-seven to experience severe hearing loss. By age forty-five he was totally deaf.

When experiencing such catastrophic events, our only choice is to muster the courage to face the future by entrusting ourselves into the care of the Lord Jesus Christ. As Christians, it’s imperative to believe and accept that the pain we must endure is in keeping with God’s purpose for us. If so, he will deliver us.

Samson ignored God’s purpose for his life, and even after escaping multiple encounters with death he still failed to thank God for his deliverance. He appeared to be blind to his bad choices even as he was shackled and blinded by his enemy. It takes courage to question our choices and make needed changes. God will help you do that.  

___________________ 

Be strong and courageous. Don’t fear or tremble…because the Lord your God will be the one who keeps on walking with you – he won’t leave you or abandon you.

~Deuteronomy 31:6 International Standard Version

 

May all who come to you be glad and joyful. May all who are thankful for your salvation always say, “How great is God!”

~Psalm 70:4 Good News Bible

____________________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week. 

Take Courage, My Friend

Great challenges demand extraordinary courage. Amos was an Old Testament prophet who received such a challenge. He was unable to attend the Institute for Prophets and was not the son of a prophet. When the Lord God called him, he was a shepherd who also cared for sycamore trees.

Leaving home and family took courage. All Amos possessed was the assurance of God’s call plus these words from Deuteronomy 31:6: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." This promise gave him courage to face those who refused to believe he was a prophet called by God.

The high priest tried to humiliate Amos by rejecting the fact that God gave him a message to preach to Israel. Amos had a lot to forgive, but God gave him courage never to compromise his calling. God enabled Amos to remain faithful by giving him courage, a virtue and character trait that empowered him to stand firm against all detractors.  

___________________________

Keep alert. Be firm in your faith. Stay brave and strong. Show love in everything you do.

~1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Contemporary English Version

Wait for the Lord;

Be strong and let your heart take courage;

Yes, wait for the Lord.

~Psalm 27:14 New American Standard Bible

Re-making Wrong Choices - Part 1

There were moments when each of us made choices that set a course for our lives to follow. An old cliché says, “You made your bed, now lie in it.” While it's important to accept the consequences associated with choices we've made, God in his mercy gives us a chance to re-choose the direction our lives will take. The bed can be re-made.

It takes courage to change. We have to struggle against the voice of anxiety and fear. You know well this voice that questions the decisions to  change with these words: “What if…?” What if you make the wrong choice? What if you fail?

It does take courage to change because change requires decision-making. However the Lord God extends to you his help as you venture out in faith to improve your life. Keep God's words from Deuteronomy 31:6 fresh in your mind: “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear or be afraid, for the Lord your God, he is the one who goes with you.” Re-choosing instead of staying in the same old rut gives you a chance for a new beginning.