Strength of heart and mind, in part, comes from living courageously. Several men and women of God come to mind. As he entered the land of promise, Joshua was commanded to be strong and courageous, relying not on his strengths but on the reality of God being with him! (Jos.1:6-7,9) Through a brave heart, Hannah showed her reliance on God by dedicating her son (1Sam.1:11). Ester had the fortitude required to go before a pagan king and plead for justice for one from her nation. (Est.5:1-8)

Two passages are of tremendous encouragement to me. The first is from the 2^nd Chronicles, in which Hezekiah could see with eyes of faith. The number of his opponents meant nothing if he was on the Lord’s side. “Be strong and courageous, do not fear or be dismayed because of the king of Assyria nor because of all the horde that is with him; for the One with us is greater than the one with him.” (2Ch.32:7) Victory is “not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies” (Zec.4:6). Hezekiah could confidently encourage his men because he did not doubt where he stood with God. Are you on the Lord’s side? You may never face an enemy army, but the daily battles can be won with God’s strength.

The second passage comes from the words of David to his son Solomon. 1st Chronicles, David advised Solomon not to be frightened about the size of his task as king and builder of the Temple. Then David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and act; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished. (1Ch.28:20). Fear can immobilize us. The size of a job, its risks, or the pressure of the situation can cause us to freeze and do nothing. One remedy for Fear is found here: Don’t focus on the Fear; instead, get to work. Getting started is often the most challenging and frightening part of a job.

So, where does our strength and courage come from? Indeed, from God, just like it did for those mentioned above. However, I want to drill into scripture I am mindful of daily—Romans chapter 8. The whole chapter speaks to the hope we have as Christians. Verses 12-18; 24-28. It is verses 31-39 that I read and place in my heart daily:

 ⁽³¹⁾ What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? ⁽³²⁾ He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? ⁽³³⁾ Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; ⁽³⁴⁾ who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, but rather, was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. ⁽³⁵⁾ Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, trouble, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ⁽³⁶⁾ Just as it is written: “FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE KILLED ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE REGARDED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED.” ⁽³⁷⁾ But in all these things, we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. ⁽³⁸⁾ For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, ⁽³⁹⁾ NOR height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Because we are heirs of His adopted sons and daughters, we can go forward in the world with confidence and courage and face the challenges of living before a Living God and Savior, Jesus. Our seemingly complicated struggles become less of a burden when we embrace the proper perspective for living.

“Father, I ask that you continue to be patient with me as I work to overcome the struggles of life on this earth. I recognize that you created all this for your most wondrous creation, humankind. May I/we be good stewards of both the physical and primarily the spiritual and live with strength and courage as You commanded! In Jesus’ name, Amen!