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This week's focus: Courage

I recently heard a story about an older man who demonstrated great bravery on a cruise ship. Early in the morning, he witnessed a young woman fall overboard into the cold, dark waters below. Within seconds, he was by her side and holding her up. His courage saved the young woman’s life, and he became an instant hero. While at a celebratory dinner that evening, everyone on the ship praised him for his courage and asked him to say a few words. Somewhat embarrassed, he slowly approached the microphone, looked at the admiring crowd, and said, “I only have one question. Who pushed me?”

His profound response may be the best hero’s speech ever! His question implied that he didn’t feel brave at that moment. Thankfully, courage prevailed when concern for another person pushed him outside his comfort zone. Like him, we must do all we can to help others despite our feelings. Fortunately, God prepares His children to live courageously by giving us promises, people, and problems to push us.

Promises
Feeling brave in a world filled with uncertainty, conflict, and danger can be challenging, so we must turn to the truth. Scripture is a lifeline that holds us up and gives us hope, comfort, and courage. When our Heavenly Father trusts us with an assignment that pushes us to be fearless, we must not trust our feelings but His promises. When we step out in faith, our courage grows when we remember that the Lord our God is with us wherever we go.

People
1 Thessalonians 5:11 says we are to encourage one another and build each other up. Using our words to encourage others means that we are adding courage to someone to help them be confident and unafraid. In the Bible, we see a beautiful example of this in 2 Chronicles 32:8 when the king countered the enemy’s lies by speaking words of truth over all those who “didn’t feel brave” when he said, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles. And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah, king of Judah.”

Problems
While walking through this life, we will encounter problems that will push us to grow physically, spiritually, and mentally. Problems change our direction and guide us in ways we may not understand at the time. In the Old Testament, Joseph may have been frightened when he was sold into slavery by his brothers and later sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. However, every situation he encountered pushed and prepared him for a future God had planned for him. His faith in God’s timing and methods led him to a place of power, courage, and purpose when God used him to save many lives, including his whole family. In forgiveness, he later comforted his brothers when he declared, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20). God’s purposes always prevail.

Knowing this, let’s be thankful for promises, people, and problems that push us for a purpose.

by: Jennifer McAlister for My Faith Votes