What helps you stay full of courage? Our culture and the world that we live in can seem very loud, full of opinion and contradiction. Social media can be full of divisive and forceful personalities, and it's no secret that there are many voices that question or even contradict the person and teaching of Jesus. It's easy to become fearful and timid in the midst of such a challenging environment. And yet that is not who God calls us to be. Now I don't know much about his personal relationship with Jesus but I do know that these words from Teddy Roosevelt in 1910 put courage in me. They remind me to stay full of courage for a worthy and eternal cause.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;.. if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat"
Roosevelt was well-known for his own personal courage in the face of adversity. He survived an assassination attempt at a public event, and famously finished his prepared speech before going to hospital. But courage is not just for politicians and public figures. We all need daily courage to follow God into obedience too. Its good to be reminded that the Bible is full of encouragement to be brave and trust in God. In Deuteronomy 31 v 6 these words helped put courage into Joshua after the death of his mentor, Moses. "Be strong courageous and firm fear not nor be in terror before them for it is the Lord your God who goes with you He will not fail you or forsake you" Again we read in Joshua 17: "Only you be strong and very courageous that you may do according to all the law...that you may prosper wherever you go" If Joshua needed frequent reminders, then so do we.
My prayer for you today is that you would be filled with courage to follow Christ and that you would know that God is with you wherever you go. That you would develop the endurance and perseverance to do what God has asked of you today. And, just like President Roosevelt reminds us, you would get in the arena and never be one who watches from the sidelines. God is with you today, friend! Be filled with courage and trust in God!!
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