Courage is not the absence of fear but relying on the presence of God in the middle of fear.
Fear is a tough thing. Most men try to live fearless; say they don't have any fear or never admit fear. Ladies are more tough then they've ever been; able to "just do it!" Fear is not something we like to stop and think about. We may even just call a fear something we're worried about and not really deal with the fact that we're scared to death.
But I've been afraid. And not just when I was a little kid. Even as recently as this summer I was fearful. We were at a softball game waiting for our game. My kids were all happily (for the most part!) playing on the playground. All the sudden I look up and Kara, my youngest, is no where to be seen. My 2 year old was wandering around a crowded softball complex. I started running around looking, all the time fear flooding my mind. What if we didn't find her? What if someone took her? What if... What if... What if...
Fear can paralyze. It robs joy. It causes panic. Life lived in fear is miserable. God didn't send Jesus to earth so we could continue to live life in fear. He came to give us a new way. A life lived knowing God as Father. And not an earthly father like me - one that looses his kids - but a Daddy that is all-powerful and all-knowing and never looses His children. Romans 8:15 says "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, "Daddy, Father' "
When I think about the privilege of knowing God as Father/Daddy, I can relax knowing He has everything under control. And even when my abilities as a daddy are not enough and I loose my child in a crowd, I can be confident He will never loose me in a crowd. My heavenly Father gives me courage to keep trying to be a better earthly father.
I know God is able because of the way He a person I didn't even know to gently pick up a crying 2 year old and carry her around until they found her daddy. Kara was restored to us. Through people God chose to use. My heavenly Father is ready to be your Daddy who can and does use all types of characters to bring us the courage we need for life.
Gideon was a Character God Welcomed into His plan to bring His children Israel back home. Come check out more about Gideon on Tuesday Night at Fusion. Or read his story in the Bible in Judges 6 and 7.
What is it your fear most?
How does God bring you courage to face your fears?
What people have been instrumental in bringing you godly courage?