Redeeming ReignSample

DAY 4: THE COURAGE

God loves to show up and show off on our behalf. He never leaves us alone to make the best of the worst situation. Thankfully, He provides supernatural covering and protection beyond our own strength. Courage is a fascinating attribute. It requires adversity and fear to exist. It can include, but is not limited to, physical altercation and life or death circumstances. We see our heroes of the faith like David fighting Goliath, Moses freeing the Israelites, Gideon defeating the Midianites against all odds, and Joseph overcoming slavery to remedy historical famine. Of course, last but not least, Jesus bearing our burden on the cross and defeating death is the ultimate act of courage. Although many examples of courage in the Bible involve extreme physical disputes between warriors in battle, we can and must exhibit courage today beyond solely the physically grueling tests of life.

The courage required to face our shortcomings, inadequacies, and complexes of inferiority requires just as much fortitude (more, in my opinion, because it’s a daily choice) as defending a castle or imposing physical will over an enemy. Owning our past and actively accepting personal agency (personal sovereignty over our actions and decisions), despite our sin and disobedience, demands radical levels of humility and courage. It’s impossible to do it alone. The Holy Spirit was sent as a Helper and resides within each Christ-follower to empower our bodies, souls, and spirits. The story of the prodigal son illustrates a picture of what most of us have experienced or demonstrated at one point or another. We lose purpose, we drift away from our spiritual disciplines, we feel entitled, we chase-rebel-run, we seek empty outlets of self-indulgence, we ignore the Holy Spirit’s conviction, we resist repentance out of pride, we continue a self-destructive path, we still want more, we think we are in control, we are exposed or hit rock bottom, we assess the collateral financial and relational damage, our eyes are opened, we come slithering back in a posture of forced humility, we beg forgiveness and pray God is still listening. Despite the fleshly qualities and selfishness that ignited that spark of depravity and downward skid, it requires courage to raise our collective hands and own it. It requires humility to take responsibility, much like the prodigal. He trusted there was still a father who would accept and forgive him. Our Heavenly Father never leaves us or forsakes us and has always left the light on with open arms.

Courage is not about our ability to stand up straighter, grit our teeth tighter, and "just try harder". As our commitment to prayer and reading God’s word goes, so goes our resilience and courageous strength to resist temptation and rebellion. The closer we get to Jesus, the more we know His character and standards. The more we know Him and his sacrifice for us, the more we strive to exemplify His nature and honor His legacy. However, it requires action and intentionality that we must choose and execute daily. We live in a fallen world, and there are obstacles and resistance. Not only are we often our own worst enemy, the Bible clearly explains a supernatural realm with an enemy of demonic force who wants to kill us, steal from us, and destroy us (John 10:10). Not only must we take our thoughts captive, proactively initiating new thought patterns that align with who we say we want to be, but also recognize the spiritual darkness at play. All competitive environments include two opposing sides wanting to take what the other has or keep what the other wants. The spiritual war of supernatural proportions is the same. Courageous minds acknowledge their own fear, face an imminent struggle, but also rely on the assurance of a Captain who directs and defends His team. Our God is our Captain.