When I hear the word courage instantly William Wallace from Braveheart, Joan of Arc, Mother Theresa, or Anne Frank come into my mind. These people all demonstrated copious amounts of courage in horrifying situations that would bring mere mortals to their knees. I often wonder how I would act in their place. Since I am scared of playing hiding-go-seek, afraid of the dark, and still believe a monster lives in my closet, the outlook doesn't look good.
In the Bible, they are numerous examples of God using ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Rahaab the prostitute hid the spies, Ananias went to talk to the killer of believers, Esther defied her king, Daniel faced the lions, Stephen was stoned for his beliefs, David slayed Goliath and he was just a boy. Courage is all over the Bible but what about normal people? What about a person like me? Will God ever give me this kind of courage? The kind of courage that people will speak about for generations? I am just a mom who is afraid of so many things...some silly, some pretty serious. I doubt God can do much with a scaredy cat right?
So of course with these kinds of questions I have to go chat with God. "God, I want to be courageous. I want to wield a sword (ok not really), ride into battle on a white horse, be a part of something magnificent! How can you use me?"
"Kimberley, you and every other woman out there are part of something magnificent every day! You are the pinnacle of my creation. I created you to bear children. Does it not take courage to raise kids? Won't your influence on them affect generations to come? You are in the middle of a battle, a great fight for their hearts. The enemy wants to come and destroy them. Don't always go looking outside your home to be part of something big look into the faces of your children."
Courage looks differently for everyone....maybe He wants you to have the courage: to go back to school
to tell the truth
to share Jesus
to listen
to face your fears
to forgive
to take the blinders off
to say I am sorry
to believe to have hope even when it seems hopeless
to share your heart
to say no
to paint that picture
to write that book or poem
to sing that song
to run that marathon
to obey
to admit you have a problem
to love even when it hurts
to not say why me but what is next
to fight for your family
to place healthy boundaries
to fight and renew your marriage
to let your kids go and find their own way
to initiate a tough conversation
to try love again
to say goodbye
to ask the hard questions
to get a new job
to say, "Yes, I will go!"
to fight cancer or other sickness
to stand up for what you believe
to stand up for what is right even if it not popular
Maybe you need the courage just to wake up and put your feet on the floor every day....."Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear."-Ambrose Redmoon
One of the most frequent command in the Bible says, "Do not be afraid."
I know what is it like to be terrified, bound up by fear. It is easy to be frightened with all the horrible things we see around us and the problems we face. The enemy is strong but our God is even stronger!!
"You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
1 John 4:4
Courage is not just for the people in the movies or in the Bible. Courage is for all woman of God. We were born to love deeply and to fight for what is holy, righteous, and good. We are called to protect our family, our marriages,and our friendships. We are called to be part of the battle, not sit on the sidelines crossing our fingers, hoping everything will turn out okay. We are daughters of a mighty mighty King! Why are we acting like slaves? Claim the power of our Father and get in the fight, get your hands messy, put your heart on the line, try something different even if you think you might look dumb, put your pride away and say I'm sorry, do the right thing even if all your friends will laugh...have courage!
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