Everyday Courage

I still remember Barbara. Over 30 years ago, as a new pastor, I regularly visited her. A widow, she was bedridden with debilitating, painful arthritis. I initially thought I was dutifully going to encourage her but soon realised I looked forward to visiting her because she was such a blessing to me. Billy Graham once said, ‘Courage is contagious.’ Barbara’s courage in the face of suffering certainly encouraged me as my heart was warmed hearing her speak of God’s goodness to her.
Each of us needs everyday courage. Not only are there crisis moments which sorely test us but we face the daily challenge of living for Christ in a hostile world where our enemy, Satan, is always active. We all need the courage of our convictions whether we are a young person confronted by secular atheism in education, someone battling dishonesty in the workplace, or a faithful believer seeking to witness for Christ amongst our family, friends or neighbours. Where, then, can we find everyday courage?
What is courage?
In her article, What is courage?, found on ligonier.org, Tessa Thompson says, ‘Courage is a Godward strength of soul manifested in doing what is right and necessary despite difficulty or danger.’ Courage is not dredged up from within the depths of our own character but is the result of looking to God in faith.
In different Bible translations, various synonyms for courage are used. Words like bold, strong, steadfast, take heart and good cheer frequently appear. In 2 Corinthians 5 verses 6 and 8, a Greek word translated as ‘good courage’ by the ESV is translated as ‘confident’ by the KJV, NKJV and NIV. There is no contradiction here because courage flows out of confidence in God.
We can see this in two examples; one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament.
Confidence in God
In Daniel 3:8-30 we read the account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego facing the fiery furnace because they refused to bow down and worship the golden image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar. In his anger, Nebuchadnezzar dismissively declares that no god would be able to deliver the three friends from his vengeful hand and the fiery furnace. In response, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego declare:
O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up (Dan. 3:16-18).
Their courage is based on their confidence in God. Years earlier, as teenagers, they had trusted in God when they refused, along with Daniel, to defile themselves with the king’s food and drink (Dan. 1:8-15). The faith that sustained their courage then does so again as they face the fiery furnace. What’s more, their faith in God is not dependent on the outcome. They believe God is able to deliver them but if in his sovereign will he does not they would still not deny him by worshipping the golden image.
Confidence in God’s promise
In Acts 27, Paul is on his way to Rome to be tried but the ship he is on is caught in a terrifying fourteen-day storm. Despite the crew’s best efforts, it appeared that shipwreck was inevitable with the certain loss of many, if not all, lives. God sent an angel to Paul with the message that no lives would be lost (vv22-24). Paul addressed all the panicking, fearful men on board saying, ‘So take heart men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told’ (Acts 27:25). Paul’s courage in the face of the storm and imminent disaster was based on his confidence in God’s promise. He had faith in God who had told him he would stand trial before Caesar in Rome.
We may never face anything as terrifying as a fiery furnace or a raging Mediterranean storm but we do face the trials of everyday life which require us to have courage. That courage comes when we confidently look to God in faith. Our courage is strengthened when we remind ourselves of his abiding faithfulness and certain promises. In Psalm 27, David courageously faces his enemies’ attacks confident in God’s salvation and help. He concludes the psalm by saying:
I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord, be strong, and let your heart take courage: wait for the Lord! (Ps. 27:13-14).
We take courage by waiting for the Lord, confidently relying upon him for help in all our troubles, great or small.
Everyday living requires everyday courage as we serve Christ in this world. That courage is not found by looking within ourselves but by looking to God, confident in him and in his promises. It is then that we know that whatever the outcome of each day’s events, ‘for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose’ (Rom. 8:28).
Through Barbara, God taught me much. In particular, her trust and confidence in the Lord showed me where true courage comes from.