COURAGE IN THE MIDDLE OF ADVERSITY

COURAGE IN THE MIDDLE OF ADVERSITY

Adversity is a great test of our courage. Courage is an attribute that God demands of us as we trek the road of life. Let us look at courage from a scriptural stand point. There are several different uses in the Scripture. Understanding these uses can help us to be more courageous in our every day walk with the Lord, and in the face of adversities that we might have to face.

1.Growing strong in our Courage in the face of adversity

2 Samuel 10:12 uses this word: "Be strong, and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and for the cities of our God; and may the LORD do what is good in His sight."

Numbers 13:20 says; “And what the land is, whether it be fat or lean, whether there be wood therein, or not. And be ye of good courage, and bring of the fruit of the land. Now the time was the time of the first ripe grapes.”

In these two verses we see that Courage is something that needs to be develop in us, something we need to to grow firm in, or to be strengthen in. It is one thing to have some one tell us to be courageous, and another thing for us to become courageous.

2.know that fear can rob us of our courage in the face of adversity

In Joshua 2:11 : Rehab told the spies that the people of Jericho had lost their courage because of fear. "And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God of heaven above, and in earth beneath."

This word for courage has it it a since of having a broken spirit. ( the lost there spirit or courage )

Fear can paralyze us, it can drain our strength and can crush us in the face of adversity.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. ( 1John 4:1 )


3. Stirring up our strength and courage in the face of adversity.

Daniel 11:25 say, "He will stir up his strength and courage against the king of the South with a large army; so the king of the South will mobilize an extremely large and mighty army for war; but he will not stand, for schemes will be devised against him.”

This reminds me of Samwise Gamgee in, “Fellowship of The Ring.” Frodo Baggins
was unable to go on any more, and Samwise reached down within himself and found courage to help his friend fulfill his mission.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ( Philippians 4:13 )

"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man." ( Ephesians 3:16 )


4. Finding courage to be bold in the face of adversity

Acts 28:15 says, “And the brethren, when they heard about us, came from there as far as the Market of Appius and Three Inns to meet us; and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.”

This courage and boldness that Paul received came out of fellowship with those of like faith. There is nothing like having a group of affirming brothers and sisters in the faith encouraging us especially in the face of adversity.

We won't find this kind of courage if we are segregated from fellow believers. This is all part of the reason why we are encouraged not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together with other believers. ( Hebrews 10:35)

5. Being courageous by being alert in the face of adversity

“Be strong and courageous, (alert ) do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” ( Deuteronomy 31:6, Deuteronomy 31:7, Joshua 1:7, 9, 18, 10:25 )

We need to be alert in the face of adversity. This word for courageous reminds me of the scripture in Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”

We need the always know that we can be courageous in the strength of His might. As you continue reading on in Ephesians chapter 6 you will see that there are some things we can do to that will help us to be alert and courageous in our every day walk with the Lord.

Conclusion
We can grow in and develop courage in our lives, we can get rid of the courage stealers such as fear, we can receive boldness and  courage from  from the Holy Spirit, we can also find encouragement from brothers and sister in Christ, and we can also be strong and alert in the battles we are facing by being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.