Be strong and courageous.
1 Chronicles 28:20
Last week's blog talked about how God has used my life experiences to build courage within myself and trust in Him above all else. This week I want to continue with the theme of courage and how I use it daily. I don't intend to use the following examples as a way to give myself a pat on the back, but just to say 'just because I do it, doesn't mean it's easy for me.' Courage is a daily decision to put your life in the best possible way to show God is working on and thru you, to give you the best, abundantly full life.
The most obvious and visible display of courage is wearing my mask out publicly, and not hiding inside privately. I could say it would be easy to hide away, but it wouldn't be for me. I am out-going and love to do things with other people. I want to do what I can, while I can. Other people's looks, misconceptions and judgements are theirs. This is my life to enjoy, explore, live fully in, and endure. My mask is not a choice, but a requirement to breathe. I accept it and move on with it. Dale Carnegie (1888-1955) said... "One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon - instead of enjoying the roses blooming outside our windows today." "When our Father allows painful things to happen, we must trust in His unchanging nature and enduring promises. People and circumstances change, but the Lord’s good and loving character does not." [intouch.org]
Another area of daily courage is the dependency on others to do things in this life. I used to be very independent with my activities in normal life, but that is not the case at all anymore. It takes courage to allow people to not only help you, but to do things for you. There is a release of power that no one ever wants to let go of. Courage involves trusting God to send you the right people at the right time to help you. It's a self dependence that transitions into a total dependence on God. "God doesn't give us what we can handle, but God helps us handle what we are given."
Courage also comes into play with just talking with people, friends or strangers. I know there's an awkwardness when others can't hear or understand me, and I feel the frustration as much as they do, if not more. I can't stay silent tho, because my mind is sharp and as long as I have breath, I will use it to voice what's on my mind...like it or not. Courage helps me think of alternative words for ones hard to say. Courage helps me encourage others with my words. Courage helps me persist and get across the vocal cord barriers that want to silence me.
"Fear is a hindrance. It creates anxiety in your heart, divides your mind, drains your energy, and gets in the way of whatever you're doing in life." Courage is the counter-action that we can use to diminish and overcome our fears. When you trust and believe that God is always with you, working things for your good, and that He will never forsake you...then courage is easier to have and hold on to. May God bless you with steadfast love and courage all the days of your life.
Lord, give me the courage to rise above fear,
Even of danger, because You are near;
I would be faithful to face any foe
While I am walking with You here below. —Hess