“There is never justification for being a
coward. Never!”
“Hey son, can you go to the refrigerator and pour your little brother a bottle of milk?” For a moment there is silence, then the response, “But daddy, it’s dark in the kitchen.” Fear of the darkness. Intimidated by bullies. Defeated by failure. Troubled by a tough teacher. These are challenges common to many children. They are also teaching opportunities, when wise parents can introduce their children to the character virtue of courage. (Photo from iStock)
There was once a man whom God
appointed to be the spiritual, political and military leader of Israel.
However, he struggled with fear and God knew it, so He told him, “Have I
not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do
not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is
with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7)
According to the Bible,
courage is the inner strength to be resolute and steadfast in face of
difficulties. Joshua never led a nation before, and enemies were all around
wanting to destroy his people. He needed courage to conquer his fears and carry
out what he was divinely appointed to do.
Nelson Mandela once said, “I
learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The
brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
When you are wrestling with a
major decision that faces the realities of potential failure, financial loss,
job loss, relationship estrangement, slander, imprisonment, physical harm, or
even death, there is good reason for pause. However, despite the fear of
potential demoralizing consequences, there is never justification for being a
coward. Never!
The opposite of courage is cowardice. The word appears only
once in the Bible, in its last book, where God says in the firmest language, “But
as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in
the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
(Revelation 21:7)
Why does God emphatically condemn cowards? First, because
it brings people to give into their fears, allowing feelings, emotions, their
circumstances and other people to control them. Consequently, they engage in groupthink,
going along with the crowd while being afraid to step out of line, ask questions,
push back or push forward. Second, because it is a form of selfishness that excuses
loving others as oneself because of fear.
Due to fear of potential church division, a pastor does not
help his congregation understand what the Bible says on controversial issues. Due
to fear of retaliation, an employee does not confront her boss with unethical
things he is doing in order to help save his job and protect the company. Due
to fear of rejection in the community, a dad who sees a pornographic book his
middle schooler brought home from the school library, refuses to say anything
to the principle.
Notice God’s simple formula to Joshua for being courageous.
1) You have been commanded by God. Meaning, you have an obligation to do what
is morally right, despite your fears. 2) Acknowledge and face your fears. Be
honest with God, yourself and others. 3) Fix your eyes on God and stop being
paralyzed by your obstacles. If you have trusted in Jesus as Lord and Savior, then
turn your eyes toward Him. Believe you are not alone, and that you have His
wisdom and power to face whatever is before you.
Jesus is the prime example of courage. In His journey to
the cross He bravely faced all the powers of hell, His enemies calling for His
torturous death, rejection from His friends and the curse of sin which He took
upon Himself. He never quit, and three days later rose again from the dead.
A prayer for you – Lord God, we confess our cowardice in
letting our fears control us. We admit they have kept us from doing what we
know we ought. Help fix our eyes upon you and overcome our obstacles. Make us
into a people of courage, just like Jesus. In His name. Amen.
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