Bravery
I would consider myself brave for the most part. I’m not super scared of the dark, although I can be startled by something I didn’t expect to see or hear in the dark. When I think of bravery, I think of much more than simply not being scared. I think of our military men and women who are fighting an enemy that they often can’t see or haven’t met to protect our freedom. I also think of our firefighters and law enforcement who stand up to incredible odds to protect the citizens of our great country. Bravery is also the person facing death from cancer or some other debilitating disease and keeping their head up as they try to finish well. I would like to consider myself brave, but I also know that there’s a part of me that gets scared to death. I’m still learning to trust the Lord with my fears and failures.
The army of Jerusalem took on the Ammonites and the Philistines quite often. Evidently, Goliath came from a family of giants. Check this out…
5 In another battle with the Philistines, Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod.
6 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 7 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David’s brother, killed him.
8 These were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men. (1 Chronicles 20:5-8 NIV)
I’ve figured out that if I’m brave, it’s because of the Power of God living in me. I can honestly face anything that comes my way. Please note that I didn’t say I want bad stuff to come my way. I didn’t say I wouldn’t be afraid if something big and bad threatened me, or someone I love. I’m learning that Lord can calm my fear with His Presence.
I love this song by Amanda Cook and Bethel Music called: You Make Me Brave.
I’m taking on today with His Presence in me as I face any giants that come my way. I have no intentions of being paralyzed by fear because His Presence in me changes everything about my perspective.
Pressing On!
Dwayne