The world is a scary place. Our Nation is at risk. There are external threats (Russia, Iran, North Korean, ISIS……) and internal threats (domestic terrorism, divisive people, lack of respect for law enforcement personnel…..) It would be easy to spend each day cowered in fear, just waiting for something bad to happen. I can’t imagine living a life like that. Everyday I turn to my source of courage which is my personal relationship with God. I pray to God for the strength, courage and wisdom to do the things that He wants me to do. And He grants me that. He never lets me down.
God tells us in Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” I think about that everyday. And as it says in Romans 8:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Just think about that. No one can defeat us, because God is with us (if we ask Him to be).
There are many folks, both in the Bible and in American history, who turned to God for strength and courage.
Stonewall Jackson, the American Civil War General, is quoted as saying “ My religious beliefs teach me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time of my death. I do not concern myself with that, but to always be ready whenever it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live, and all men would be equally brave.” That is so very powerful. Why should we be afraid, when we know that God has a plan? There is great comfort in know that.
George Patton was frustrated with the weather that was stalling his operations during the Battle of the Bulge. He asked his Chaplain to craft a prayer asking God go stop the adverse weather. He had 250,000 copies of that prayer distributed throughout Third Army and urged his Soldiers to pray. They did, and the adverse weather stopped. He then had his chaplain draft Training Note #5 to focus his troops attention on the power of prayer.
Here’s another great example. Turn in the Bible in the Book of Judges and read about Gideon. God directed Gideon to lead the Israelites against the Midianites. In Judges 6:15-16 God told Gideon that “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.” Gideon assembled a force of 22,000 men, but God told him that was too many. Eventually Gideon went into battle with a force of 300, and prevailed.
You must take the time to assess where you are in these difficult times. Are you constantly afraid and concerned? Are your circumstances depriving you of the true joy of life, freedom from fear? If so, turn to God for strength and courage. Ask Him to be with you on a daily basis. And He will.