Unleash your Godly Courage - Day 4

Heroes of Faith

We often hear people say, "Fear not" or "We have nothing to fear" or "Fear is not from God." However, these statements, on their own, lack a basis in biblical principle. In the world we live in, the enemy's main mission is to kill, steal, and destroy. So, guess what? We do have many things to fear, and ignoring those fears is actually an act of cowardice.

Both fear and courage require action. They are mindsets influenced by our circumstances, allowed by God in our lives to refine and push us. Can we truly be courageous without experiencing fear? No. As long as we live in this fallen world, fear will always be present. We will constantly battle to identify it and overcome it through courage.

We have already established that courage requires faith in something greater than ourselves. It doesn't simply manifest itself, nor is it naturally inherent in our nature, even after receiving Christ.

Courage only exists in the midst of fearful situations. To be courageous, we must acknowledge our fears. Ignoring them is not an act of courage; rather, it is succumbing to fear and living in its grip. By being too afraid to acknowledge our fears, we stumble blindly into situations, hoping to avoid encountering or having to respond to them.

Almost every reference to courage and fear in the Bible is followed up with a caveat.

In Psalm 46:1-3, David declares that “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge.”

We are fearless and courageous because of God...

In Romans 8:31, Paul asks, "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

Again, we fear nothing that comes against us because of God...

In 1 Chronicles 22:13, it says, "That’s what will make you successful, following the directions and doing the things that GOD commanded Moses for Israel. Courage! Take charge! Don’t be timid; don’t hold back."

Again, it is through trusting in God and being obedient where we find and draw our courage.

Acknowledge your fears, trust in God, and you will experience true courage. That is the formula. Don't shy away from fear; confront it head-on. Take courage men!

What fears have you chosen to ignore in your life? Write them down and confront them.

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