Cultivating Courage in Your Life

Season 1 Episode 53 - In our world today, there is much uncertainty, conflict, and fear.  So, how should followers of Jesus be intentional about heeding God's frequent call in the Bible to be courageous?  Listen to this episode and find out 3 specific ways.

"Reflect on This" is a once-weekly, short devotional podcast. In these devotionals, I share the things I am learning about the ways and nature of God, in what I hope are practical and meaningful ways. 
 
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Resources that inspired some episodes:

 “Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis
 
 Blog by Seth Lewis:  https://sethlewis.ie/

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
 Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers 3-month paid apprenticeships to unemployed young men.  These apprentices learn valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  The sale of the high-quality furniture they produce supports the ministry.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope" (podcast)
This is a 4-minute weekday podcast, where Joni shares stories of her life and biblical applications.  One of the world's longest living quadriplegics, God has used her courage, determination, faithfulness, and love to inspire and minister in amazing ways to people around the world.    
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes many free public domain resources (and many other resources for purchase), including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, devotionals, and maps.  You can simultaneously view multiple Bible translations, a dictionary, and a commentary.  
On your computer, go to e-sword.net
On your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “e-sword.” 

Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all

Transcript

As I have read this season the Christmas passages in the Gospel books of the New Testament, I have noticed the many times that angels appeared and said, “Do not be afraid.”  For example, on separate occasions, an angel appeared to Joseph, Mary, and the shepherds with this message.  

It got me thinking about how many times this admonition to be courageous instead of fearful occurs throughout the Bible.  Doing a quick search, I found over 113 verses with this message!  

This admonition to be courageous must, therefore, be important.  And why is that?  Because the need for courage is a universal need of every human.

Kris Vallotton had an excellent blog post this past year, in which he pointed out this universal need for courage, and then offered 3 ways to be intentional about developing courage in our lives.  This podcast episode was inspired in part by that blog post.

So, what are 3 ways to be intentional about heeding God’s call to develop courage in our lives?

 1. Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses. 

The story in John 6 of Jesus feeding a multitude of people from a boy’s lunch of a few fish and some loaves of bread is a powerful illustration to us of this concept.  Jesus multiplied what the boy had, instead of focusing on what the boy did not have.  In a similar way, God does not care about what you DON’T have.  He only cares about whether you dedicate to Him what you DO have.  The lesson?  We should focus on our strengths (no matter how few), dedicate them to God, and not focus on our weaknesses.

2. Face your fear

 In Joshua 1:9 God tells Joshua, 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

In his blog post, Vallotton reminds us that this admonition from God “was right after Moses, their leader and patriarch for the last 40 years, had died, they were in a new land, and they were about to battle cities [with inhabitants far more numerous] than them! Fear and uncertainty would be a natural response [in that moment]. Fear is a natural part of life, but it doesn’t have to define us.”

Fear is not of God, nor has He given us the spirit of fear:

2 Timothy 1:7 NASB  For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

So, where does fear come from?  Our adversary, the devil.  He seeks to devour believers with fear and worry:

1 Peter 5:8 NASB  Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

A roaring lion is a good word picture of the schemes of Satan.  A roaring lion frightens its prey and it runs away from the roar, unaware that it is actually running toward the young lions lurking in the tall grass.  In that moment, it is actually safer for the prey to run toward the roar, instead of away from it, because the roaring lion is usually older, has worn teeth, and is not as fast as the young lions.  

So, my wife and I like to say that facing our fears is like “running to the roar.”

 3. Take a risk

 Vallotton concludes by stating, “To be courageous, one must be willing to step into the unknown, to take risks without the guarantee of success. It’s in these moments that true bravery is forged. Oftentimes people will choose to live risk-averse because of the fear of uncertainty. However, embracing courage means shifting that perspective—recognizing that the potential for growth, discovery, and success lies just beyond the fear. Courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act despite [the fear]. By focusing on the possibilities rather than the pitfalls, one can transform fear into fuel, propelling them forward into new opportunities and experiences…  Courage doesn’t always have to be loud or dramatic; sometimes, it’s found in the small, everyday acts of resilience and determination.”

Acts 18:9 NASB  And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;

The Lord was basically encouraging Paul to take a risk and continue speaking publicly about Jesus.  Likewise, it is an encouragement to us to take risks for God.

Deuteronomy 31:6 NASB  "Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you."

So, why should we take risks?  Because the Lord our God goes with us!

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”