Is It Time For You To Take Courage?

In 1987 I was about to fly to Frankfurt, Germany and visit my brother and his wife when a friend called and said, “You need to call Dr. Lechler, and tell him you want to visit his clinic and take him out to dinner.”

Do you know how difficult that was? Who was I to call a German psychiatrist, the chief of a clinic in the Black Forest, and ask to take him out to eat? I paced my kitchen floor for days, trying to find the courage to make that phone call.

Looking back, I see that one courageous act was the key that opened the doorway for over 33 years of ministry in Europe.

Jesus tells us to take courage, but are we willing to do it?

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world (John 16:32).

Word Insight (Fr. Coeur-heart)

Courage is the quality of heart, mind or spirit that enables us to face difficulty, danger, and pain, without fear. It has to do with boldness and bravery. In some Bibles the word for courage may be translated “be of good cheer” or “take heart.”

New Testament on courage

In the following Scriptures courage is related to receiving forgiveness, freedom from fears, and sharing what Jesus has done for us.

• Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take courage, My son; your sins are forgiven” (Matt 9:2).
• His disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were frightened, saying, It is a ghost. And they cried out for fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid” (Matt 14:26-27).
• The following night the LORD stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11).

Old Testament on courage

Here we see courage is needed when it is time to do something new, when we must wait for God to do something, and when we must keep our hope in the Lord alive.

• Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them (Joshua 1:6-9).
• Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD (Ps 27:14).
• Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD (Ps 31:24).

Thoughts on courage

Courage is essential if we are to become the unique individual God created us to be. Without it, we live lives of conformity, cowardice, and co-dependency. Interestingly the Bible says cowards cannot enter the kingdom of God; i.e, the realm within us where God’s peace, joy, and power dwells (Revelation 21:8).

Recall times when you took courage.

Then ask yourself: “In what area of my life do I need to take courage now?”

When the news about this virus ramped up, a thought popped into my mind; I knew it was the Lord speaking to me.  He asked, “Do you think you can keep yourself from getting this virus?” Immediately, I knew my answer. No, but this doesn’t mean I am deliberately careless.

However, I will not be a servant to fear again. Never! I spent too many years living with fear, and I know its cost on me and my family. Instead of letting fear rule us, we can take courage and say, “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will lift up the name of the LORD our God in the midst of this crisis” (Psalm 20:7).